She didn't know who moved first. Maybe it was her, rising up on her toes. Maybe it was him, leaning down. But suddenly his lips were on hers, her arms were wound around his neck, and their bodies were pressed together.
13
DIMITRI
Mattie's lips were soft and warm against Dimitri's, her mouth tasted faintly of brie and coffee, and as his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close, he marveled at how perfectly she fit against him despite being almost a head shorter.
He hadn't planned to kiss her. He had planned to be patient, to give her space, to earn her trust slowly. But when she had looked up at him with tears glistening in her eyes, something had shifted inside him. The wall he'd built to keep himself at arm's length had crumbled, and before he could think better of it, his lips had found hers.
Or maybe she had found his. He wasn't sure anymore, and it didn't matter.
What mattered was that she was kissing him back, with her fingers tangled in his hair, her body pressed against his, and the tiny sounds escaping her throat making his blood heat.
When they broke apart, she kept her arms around his neck and her eyes closed.
"You kissed me," she said.
"I think you kissed me."
She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips a little swollen, and she was absolutely stunning. "I think you are right. I didn't plan to do it."
He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. "I'm glad you did. It was a very nice kiss."
Mattie arched a brow. "Just nice?"
"It was spectacular," he corrected.
"That's better." She smiled, and it transformed her entire face. It wasn't the polite, timid smile she gave customers or the guarded one she'd worn at the beginning of their date.
This smile was confident, unfiltered, and radiant.
He wanted to kiss her again. Hell, he wanted to do much more than kiss her. But the fluorescent lights were buzzing overhead, the industrial refrigerator was humming in the corner, and they were standing in the middle of a staff kitchen where anyone could walk in at any moment.
Would they ever be able to do more than just kiss?
"It's late," she said.
"It is."
Neither of them let go.
Dimitri laughed quietly. "I don't want this to end."
"Neither do I." She bit her lower lip, and the gesture sent a jolt of heat straight through him. "But it's really late, and you have work tomorrow. My shift starts at ten, so I'm good."
"I don't need much sleep." He kissed her again, softer this time, slower. When he pulled back, she made a small sound of protest that made him smile.
"Tomorrow, same time?"
"Same time." She beamed at him. "Same terrible coffee."
"The coffee might be terrible, but the company is wonderful."
She rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. "That was cheesy."
"I'm Russian. We're not known for smooth talking."
"I disagree. I think you're perfect." She stepped back, and he immediately missed the feel of her body against his. "How should we do this? Do you go first? Does it matter if we are seen leaving together?"
