Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
He is greeted by his guests with as much, if not more, euphoria as Aleena’s arrival instigated, and he’s hidden from view for almost just as long. More than his suit is crumpled when Aleena gestures for him to join her.
As he heads our way, he adjusts his wonky tie. He has the swagger that captures the attention of the room, and a suit that showcases every spectacular ridge of his body.
Aleena was right. He looks so dashing in his tuxedo that he’s instantly forgiven for his tardiness. There isn’t a single eye he doesn’t seize during his walk across the room, so you can imagine how hard it is to keep my expression passive when he finally lifts his head.
I know those eyes.
That smoldering smirk.
I’ve raked my fingers through that dark hair more than once.
But something is amiss with this picture. Andrik’s neck tattoos are gone. His hands are void of the artwork that was faded enough to announce that it has been a part of his life for as long as he’s been an adult. And his nose ring and diamond earring that scream rebellion have also vanished.
I swear I’m sitting across from Andrik, but it is like the watered-down version of the bad boy I was instantly obsessed with.
I’m in such a state of shock that when Aleena offers an introduction, instead of denying the handshake her fiancé holds out in offering, I slide my hand into his non-tattooed one and whisper softly, “Zoya Sakharoff.”
His top lip twitches before his grip on my hand tightens. “Kazimir Dokovic.” As his briefest touch rockets a zap up my arm, he works his jaw side to side. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Zoya.” He even sounds like Andrik—if not a little less arrogant.
“Likewise,” I murmur before sinking back onto my chair, taking my hand with me.
Aleena watches me for a handful of seconds before she introduces Kazimir to Nikita and Maksim. Maksim’s expression is furious. I don’t know if it is because he, too, is wondering who the hell Kazimir is or because Ano is signaling to speak with him over Aleena’s shoulder.
Maksim waits for Kazimir and Aleena to move on to the table next to us before checking if Nikita is okay being left alone. By alone, he means without him. Half a dozen bodyguards keep her safe when Maksim isn’t in charge of the campaign.
“Yes. If we leave before you return, we will meet you back at the suite,” Nikita replies.
His forehead kiss steals my attention from Aleena and Kazimir. It is as PG as it comes, but anytime he does it, Nikita’s cheeks inflame as if he is dragging the tip of his nose down the opening of her vagina.
The raunchiness of their exchange doesn’t contribute to its scorching-hot rating. It is how Maksim is unashamed to show how much he loves his wife even when they’re in public. Their relationship isn’t a hidden dirty secret. It is love not cloaked in shame.
After breathing in the scent of Nikita’s hair, Maksim locks his eyes with mine. He doesn’t speak. He just gives me a look I’ve mastered deciphering over the past month. It is one that announces we need to speak, but it won’t occur until whatever surprise he is organizing for Nikita is over.
I nod, happy to leave the awkwardness of our exchange on the back burner for a few hours.
I’m too confused to answer the numerous questions he and Nikita are silently bombarding me with since my introduction to Aleena’s fiancé. I’d leave it on simmer for eternity if that were an option.
Regretfully, it isn’t.
The groom-to-be’s arrival is meant to fuel the flames. Kazimir’s appearance douses them so well that dessert isn’t even served before the hotel staff commences packing down the room for tomorrow’s even bigger festivity.
“We can stay, if you want,” Nikita offers when I peer back in the direction of the ballroom, my steps to the elevator slow and reserved. “You hardly saw Aleena, and I don’t see it improving tomorrow. Kazimir’s relatives are very… imposing. They don’t seem willing to share him with anyone. Not even Aleena.” Although she is giving me an out, she stabs the elevator call button with her finger, eager to find out where her husband disappeared to.
Nikita will never admit it, but she suffers from jealousy more than Maksim does. Her possessiveness could give Andrik’s a run for its money.
When the elevator dings and we enter, I select the floor for the penthouse suites before asking, “Did you meet anyone in his family?”
Nikita moves in close to allow her bodyguards to ride the elevator with us before shaking her head. “There wasn’t a chance. Things were a little tense.”
Tense is an understatement. I’ve never felt more uncomfortable, and I let a stranger strap me to a sex swing in an underground sex club while heavily intoxicated. We won’t mention anything I’ve done with Andrik, as I’m not sure I would survive the guilt it usually entices this time around.