Chapter 11 - Valery #2
But as I’m walking toward Diomid, I spot Jaroslav talking to a stunning girl.
She’s wearing a red dress that clings to her perfect figure and is far too short, with heels that look lethal.
Her lips are painted red to match, and her long, curly blonde hair is flowing over her shoulders like a river of sunshine.
My stomach knots as she leans toward him, laughing.
She reaches out and brushes her fingers over his arm.
Her intentions are clear. And it’s not like he’s pushing her away.
He’s smiling too. His arms are folded over his chest, but that only makes his muscles more prominent.
Maybe he’s doing it to show off for her.
I grimace, angry, hurt… jealous . The moment I realize I’m jealous, the anger triples.
This is just proof that his attraction to me is shallow.
Shallow enough that it leaves room for him to be attracted to other women.
For a moment, I can’t tear my eyes off them, and the twisting jealously grows darker.
Finally, I pull my gaze away, and in desperation to escape the sight of the two of them laughing together, I hurry out of the event and onto a wide balcony to get some fresh air.
Outside, away from everyone, I take several deep breaths. But it does nothing to calm my anxiety.
I want to go home. I’m not having fun anymore. It was easy to pretend while I had all of his attention, but as soon as I left him alone, he found someone else.
It surprises me when Jaroslav steps to my side and stands next to me on the balcony.
“Aren’t you missing out on the party?” I huff bitterly.
“No, I’m exactly where I want to be.” His eyes study me, narrowed. “What’s wrong?” he asks. “You practically ran out of the event to get outside.”
“No, I didn’t, how could you possibly know that anyway, your attention was very much occupied,” I snap coldly.
“Occupied with what?”
I press my lips together, refusing to let him know it’s jealously that has me so worked up.
“I never took my eyes off you for a second, Valery. You are my wife, and I knew where you were at all times.”
“How sweet,” I scoff sarcastically, turning away from the view and marching back into the party to try and escape him again. I have to clear my thoughts, and I can’t do it with him so close to me.
But he follows and grabs my arm, spinning me to face him and holding me against his chest. “You’re jealous,” he smirks, a bright, arrogant glimmer in his eyes. His accuracy annoys me. How is it that he can read me so easily?
“I am not ,” I blurt out, a loud whisper, very aware of the fact that we’re back in the heart of the event hall and surrounded by people.
“Yes, you are. Admit it. You saw me talking to that woman, and you didn’t like it.”
“I have no reason to be jealous. You can do whatever you like.”
He chuckles. “I will do whatever I like. Just like you flirted with my brother.”
My mouth drops open, and anger flares inside me. “I was not flirting. But you just admitted that you were.” My whispering is becoming harsher, the fight intensifying.
Jaroslav pulls me tighter against him, wrapping his hand around my jaw. He tilts my head back, staring straight into my soul. “People are watching, little raven,” he warns me in a commanding, deep tone. Then, before I can say anything, he leans close and kisses me.
I know it’s just for show, but all night we’ve been flirting, and all night my desire has been building.
And the moment his lips meet mine, it’s so sensual it makes me forget absolutely everything and everyone.
The kiss is slow and deep, and he takes full control, tilting my head to the side and pushing his tongue into my mouth.
He moans against me as his hand runs over my back, down to my ass, and he cups my butt cheek, mischievously putting on a show.
Every fiber of my being is alive. I reach up and wrap my hands around his neck, locking my fingers, pulling him toward me. He groans again, and it makes my desire burn as hot as a fever.
He slips his hand around my waist and dips me slightly backward, holding me, owning me in front of everyone.
My heart is racing, flashing like lightning, my skin becoming more sensitive to his touch, my mouth devoted to his.
He lifts me back up, still holding me against him, and slowly, the kiss fades away.
I can’t catch my breath as he stares down at me. My lips are tingling, swollen, and wanting more.
He lifts his hands and cups them on either side of my jaw. Those hazel eyes are all I see, all I can focus on.
“Little raven,” he whispers, as though the fond nickname was a crown he could place on my head and no longer something he’s using to taunt me. The way he’s talking has gripped my attention. My lips part, and a soft gasp slips from them.
“Yes?” I whisper.
“You have nothing to be jealous of.”
I bite my lower lip and knot my brows.
“It didn’t look that way…a moment ago…” I stammer quietly.
He smiles, one corner of his lip curving upward against his stubble-shadowed cheek. I study his face, reading his expression. He looks sincere. Honest. Patient. He looks like a gentle, caring man.
He brushes his thumbs over the line of my jaw and speaks slowly in a husky voice.
“You have nothing to be jealous of because I am yours and yours alone.”
His words catch me off guard, breaking through the walls I’ve built to protect myself.
Instantly, I’m in a dream in which he’s in love with me, truly and completely mine.
A dream I’ve fought since the day he left me, one I told myself was pathetic and dangerous. But right now, I’m there. I’m adored.
I’m the only woman he ever wanted, and he really is mine and mine alone.