22. Emily
22
EMILY
Breakfast in bed is one of those things reserved for luxury hotels or Hallmark movies. Both are equally fictional to me, so I’m stunned when I wake up to find a different woman—yet another new face—delivering a silver tray heaped with food. She doesn’t linger, doesn’t bother to speak. Just a nod of her head before she rushes away.
Sitting up with the tray over my lap, propped on my overstuffed pillows, I marvel at my feast. I went to bed after eating to the brink of pain.
By all logic, I shouldn’t be hungry, but my stomach is rumbling.
“It’s because there are pancakes,” I whisper to myself. “Who can resist those?”
The sunlight over the lake outside my window declares a beautiful day is waiting for me. Birdsong serenades me in a layer of music humans could never replicate. It’s straight out of a fairy tale.
Konstantin said he isn’t a prince, but he sure lives like one.
If it weren’t for the tiny fact that he, you know, fucking kidnapped me, I’d be swooning.
Once I’m full of food—and a little extra to top it off—I dig through the closets for something to wear. I’m tempted to put on the ugliest outfit possible for this engagement shoot.
But before I can execute my plan, another girl—new face number four!—pops by to deliver a long gown in a protective sleeve.
I hang it up, unzipping the cover to reveal a calf-length dress that feels like butter under my palms. It’s the same green as the lily pads outside my window. Stuck to it is a small note, and I recognize Konstantin’s handwriting immediately.
Kitty Cat,
I’ve taken the liberty of choosing your outfit for today. Put this on. As a reminder, it’s not built for swimming. Don’t get any ideas. Meet me on the roof.
I yank the dress off the hanger as roughly as possible. If I could rip the threading, I’d be overjoyed, but the expensive material resists.
Sighing, I slip it on and finish getting ready.
Remember, he’s just using you.
His biggest mistake is letting me know that.
Fueled by what must’ve been a pound of pancakes, I march from my room and head toward the stairs that lead to the roof.
He’s waiting in front of the helicopter. The large, unmoving blades throw shadows over his face. His long legs stretch into the sunlight, one knee bent, his light brown oxfords gleaming. Not many men can pull off a pale green suit, especially a skinny fit, but Konstantin can.
I hate the fact that he’s so absolutely fucking gorgeous.
“You look like you’re ready to go on an Easter egg hunt,” I call out.
His head snaps up; he spots me, running his eyes hungrily over my body. My insult doesn’t even register. And now I’m flustered and hot in a way I really don’t want to be.
“Good morning, Kitty Cat.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Are you ready for the photo shoot? It’s a beautiful day for it. We’re very lucky.”
“Oh yes, I feel super lucky.” Adjusting my dress, I take stiff steps toward the helicopter. His eyes stay on me the entire time; they’re like fingers grazing over my naked shoulders. I can feel them in my hair, and I wish they were his actual hands.
The last time I saw him—huddled above me in the boat with concern in his eyes—keeps flitting into my mind. The way he stared at me was a mind-fuck.
It almost made me believe that he cared.
Almost enough to make me believe that he wants something more than just use me to get his stupid inheritance.
“How far away is this photo shoot?” I ask, frowning at the helicopter.
“It’s not a long flight, but the location is easier to access from the air.”
“Why? Is it in the clouds?” I snort.
Tugging at the bottom of his jacket, he opens the helicopter door for me. “You’re not as far off as you think.”
I stop in the middle of climbing into the helicopter to give him a glance.
He grins like a shark. “Don’t you want to know?”
“No,” I lie, hauling myself inside and into one of the cramped seats.
“Liar,” he says, sitting across from me. Our legs nearly touch in the small space, especially when he leans closer, his tone edged with pride. “This is the spot every Siderov has had their engagement photos taken.”
His eyes gleam.
“In the clouds, you said?” I narrow my eyes slowly. “Sounds angelic.”
“Exactly, Kitty Cat. This location is supposed to feel like heaven itself.”
“I think it would be more fitting if it looked like hell.”
Just before the pilot kicks the engine on, sending the blades whirring, I hear Konstantin growl. His hot breath brushes over the side of my face.
He’s closed in to make sure I hear him over the noise.
“If this is a preview of how you’re going to behave today, Kitty Cat, you’re playing with fire.”
“Sorry, Kostya ,” I drawl, feeling emboldened to speak a name I’m not allowed to use. Two can play this game . “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and I have an awful migraine.”
My seat trembles from how hard he grabs it. “Then for your sake, I hope your migraine eases up before we land. Remember the terms of our agreement.”
“Don’t you worry,” I say sweetly. “I can be very convincing.”
The intensity of his glare sizzles on my skin. But I don’t back down.
Konstantin works his jaw as the helicopter noise surrounds us, removing the opportunity for conversation. I mean, he can talk if he raised his voice, but that might feel like losing to him.
I haven’t seen him yell yet, and he seems more of a quietly in control kind of guy.
But I wonder what he might do when he loses control.
I look out the windows as the pilot guides us through the sky. The castle vanishes behind us, and the ground blurs into patches of green and yellow. The hills become chunks of rock that break apart occasionally to reveal big shining streams running through them. The blue makes curling shapes, like a child would scrawl with crayon.
We rise higher, traversing a series of cliffs until the ground fades away in chunks of mist.
In the clouds, I marvel.
I shoot a look at Konstantin and realize he’s watching me. He wants to see my reaction. I’m amazed at the view, but I refuse to let him know that. Crinkling my nose, I cover my mouth and yawn.
He smirks, seeing through my ruse.
Dammit.
The mist clears away as we lower toward a section of flat gravel. At ground level I see the way the rocks create an arch, and through the big gap, partially hidden by wisps of white mist, is the sea.
When I was younger, Olivia and I would read under our covers with a flashlight. We had to be sneaky because if our parents caught us, they’d yell about how much it costs to replace the batteries.
One of our favorite books was about King Arthur. I adored fantasy, especially when there were stories of knights on horseback. But what stuck with me the most was reading about the places they’d go. One of them was a mythical island swaddled in thick mists that hid fantastical fae and other magics.
“It looks just like Avalon,” I whisper.
Konstantin sits up and blinks at me. I don’t know if he heard me; the helicopter blades are winding down, so it’s possible. Blushing, I rise and hurry out of the helicopter. He’s right behind me, following me onto solid ground.
“You made it! And right on time!” A young man with slicked-back, wheat-brown hair waves eagerly at us. In one hand he clutches a camera with a lens as big as a car headlight. In his rush to meet us, he loses traction on the gravel and stumbles. Immediately, he hugs the camera close to him, making sure it doesn’t hit the ground.
“Are you alright?” I gasp, jogging over to his side to help him stand.
Flashing me a toothy grin, he brushes me off. “Don’t worry, the camera is fine!”
I wasn’t worried about the camera ... Though in hindsight, I wish it had smashed on the rocks. Then this photo shoot would be canceled.
He appraises me, backing away as he does it, like he needs distance to get a better look. “You’re his bride-to-be, aren’t you? Emily, is that right?”
I cringe. “That’s right.”
“I’m Josip, the lucky man who gets to take pictures of you. Though clearly Mr. Siderov is the lucky one.” He brings his camera to his face and clicks the button. “ Bozhe moi, you are beautiful!”
“I’m paying you to take pictures, Josip, not to ogle my fiancée.” Konstantin has joined us. His face is inscrutable, but there’s no mistaking the anger in his eyes. Almost as if he doesn’t want Josip making such comments about me.
As I live and breathe.
Is he … actually jealous?
Or is this just another part of this game we’re playing today?
I link my hand with Konstantin’s, and he twitches in surprise.
“Now, now, dear . No need to get jealous of Josip. He’s just doing his job.” I offer Josip my most sympathetic sigh. “Kostya hates when other men compliment me. He threw the last one out a window.”
I glance at the nearby cliff with a drastic frown.
Josip turns white, and Konstantin sees red.
“My fiancée likes to tell jokes,” he says tensely. “Let’s get to the site while the lighting is good.”
“Of course!” Josip babbles. There’s sweat on his brow; my subtle warning hit home. He’s reacting more than I thought he would though—as if he has a reason to believe Konstantin would hurt him.
I try to slip my hand out of Konstantin’s, but he grips harder, preventing me.
“Let go,” I hiss through my teeth.
“We should be holding hands. It’s what couples do.”
I turn my hip, bumping it against his as hard as I can.
He grunts, and I say lightly, “Smile, the camera is watching.”
The irritation comes off Konstantin in waves, but to his credit, he plasters a smile on his face as we follow Josip down to the shoreline. He walks backward, his camera on us as he snaps photo after photo. He stumbles more than once, but it doesn’t slow him down. The pictures don’t stop.
Hand in hand like young lovers, we reach a valley of tall stones that create a frame with the sea in the background. Mist furls above and below, giving everything an ethereal tinge.
I can’t say a single bad thing about this place. It truly is beautiful.
I glance up at Konstantin, and wonder if he’ll look at me in surprise if I were to suddenly shove him over the edge.
“That was perfect,” Josip gushes.
I notice he’s checking something in his camera’s viewfinder. “What?”
“Your expression just now, your hand in his, the mists behind you … It’s the exact kind of energy we need for the rest of this shoot!”
Wonderful.
My fantasy of throwing Konstantin over the edge of the cliff is now somehow going to be forever memorialized as me gushing at him.
Bristling, I wrench my hand from Konstantin’s. He’s looking at me with a smug smirk that I want to wipe off with my fist. A smirk that says I won.
We’ll see about that.
“Okay, now you two lean against that rock wall right there so I can catch the moment when the wave breaks over the shore!”
Konstantin follows the instruction, motioning for me to join him. Slipping on an indulgent smile, I begin to rest my body next to his—his arm lowers for my waist. At the last second, I jump away with a huff.
“No! I can’t!”
Josip lowers his camera. “What’s wrong?”
“Yes,” Konstantin mutters. “What’s wrong , Kitty Cat?”
“The rocks are too slimy and wet! My dress will get stained if I touch them!” I make a big show of fluffing my hem, checking it for dirt.
“Stop it,” Konstantin says. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
I widen my eyes as big as possible. “But Kostya, dear, you know I hate to get dirty!”
“You jumped into the lake yesterday,” he reminds me in a low tone. “Fully clothed, I might add.”
“Excuse me.” Batting my eyelashes, I shrug indifferently. “You know I slipped in. I’d never willingly jump into the lake with my clothes on. That’s silly.”
“Right, of course. I guess I forgot how precious my soon-to-be wife is.” He runs his hand over his face as if he’s trying to wipe away his scowl. It doesn’t work.
Josip darts his eyes between us nervously. “Why don’t we just try a shot with you standing in front of the rocks, not actually touching them?”
“Does that satisfy you?” Konstantin asks me darkly.
I tilt my head like I’m confused. “Why the tone? Did I do something wrong, Kostya?” Before he answers, I slide myself against his body. My fingers tug at his tie as I gaze up at him with a sugary smile. “Please don’t be mad at me. I’m trying my best here, I swear.”
His lips part as confusion steals his anger away. I like how he flares his nose when I rub my thigh against his leg.
“I’m not mad,” he insists.
Oh yes you are. But you can’t let Josip to see.
“Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” I purr as my fingers dance along the length of his tie.
Konstantin’s hands lower until they’re on my waist. Tiny lightning bolts enter my skin where he touches, traveling down to my belly. “Just show him that we’re in love so he gets good photos.”
Oh, I can do more than that.
Turning around, I grind my ass against Konstantin. My head falls against his shoulder, one arm looping around his neck so I can stroke his jaw. “Like this?” I rub against him harder, peeking at Josip while I do it.
The camera can’t hide how much he’s blushing.
“Kitty Cat,” Konstantin warns under his breath.
“What’s wrong, Kostya?” My voice turns husky as my hand scrapes down, slow as tree sap, towards his inner thigh. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
All at once he catches my wrist, pinning my arm against my side. Into my ear he speaks in a low, burning voice that both satisfies my cruelty and wakes up the feral parts of me that want to jump his bones. “Stop it. Now.”
“Or you’ll do what?” I smirk.
“Oh, Kitty Cat.” His voice purrs in my ear, low and dangerous, as he pushes his hips forward slightly. The pulsing heat rests against my ass—hard, insistent, and utterly irresistible. “Don’t make me punish you later.”
Heat sears my cheeks, and I find my hips backing into him as if they have a mind of their own. His throbbing cock is unmistakable against the small of my back, and my nipples stiffen in my bra. His grip around my wrists tightens ever-so-slightly, as if reminding me that if he wanted to, he can hold me down while I struggle and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“What’s wrong, Kitty Cat?” His other hand circles around my hips, pulling me closer against his erection to him as his warm breath kisses my ear. “No more bravado?”
Is he … challenging me?
I grind my ass close to him, and draw out an appreciative exhale of air from his nostril in response.
You want to play? Oh, we can play.
“Do you think I should take out my nipple rings?” I ask loudly. “So they don’t show up in the photos? Your camera looks pretty high-def.” I tug at my neckline, eyeballing my cleavage with worry.
Josip staggers, nearly dropping his camera. Konstantin looks like his spirit is leaving his body.
“You don’t have nipple rings,” he growls softly in my ear.
“Are you sure about that?”
His eyes narrow drastically. “Last warning.”
“Or what?” I whisper back.
“Fine. Have it your way.”
Furrowing my brow, I start to ask what he means. The hand around my waist slowly snakes up, stroking across my belly until he curls it around to rest over my navel. With practiced expertise, he gives me a tug and I feel my weight shift upwards against him.
His cock is practically propped against my pussy. To my own frustration, my body betrays me, and I feel myself growing wet in anticipation again.
I swallow uncomfortably and hiss as he pulls me even closer. “Now who’s being inappropriate?”
He pushes one leg forward to keep me from scooting away from his throbbing, inviting tip. “You haven’t even begun to see what inappropriate looks like …”
My heart thuds wildly in my ribs. I can’t pull away. He’s got me pinned in place.
And as much as I hate to admit it, I don’t think I want him to pull away.
“I can feel how soaked you are, Kitty Cat.” Konstantin presses his nose against my hair, inhales, and pushes his hips forward just enough so that the tip of his cock rubs against my dripping pussy.
My hips squirm, and pleasure spreads through my body at the motion.
He chuckles knowingly behind me as he releases my wrist. His finger trace along my jaw, leaving behind a blazing hot trail in its wake, until it hooks under my chin and turns me to look him in his eyes.
“Fuck you,” I grumble. I don’t have any other tricks in my arsenal.
Josip whistles sharply, startling us both—Konstantin jerks against me in surprise, and I resist a whimper as his hard-on just grinds deeper through my dress.
“Perfect!” Josip exclaims. “Just perfect!”
Konstantin releases me, dropping to one knee. I wait for him to tie his shoe, because why else would he get on the ground? His eyes travel up to mine. In his hand is a black velvet box. “It should fit,” he assures me.
“What should …” Trailing off, I stand frozen on the spot as he slips a platinum silver ring from the box. His hands are warm on mine, working the ring into place over the knuckle on my left hand.
The engagement ring. How could I forget?
The diamond in the center is as big as a pistachio. There are several smaller ones clustered around it. My heart is beating at such a furious pace, I’m worried not enough blood is getting to my brain. That has to be why I’m so dizzy.
Flashes of light bounce off the diamond as Josip, cataloging every moment of my amazement, snaps one photo after another.
Remember this is all fake!
“I could sell this and buy five Lamborghinis,” I whisper coldly.
“Ten, actually.” Konstantin starts to smile.
“Let’s get a kiss on film!” Josip shouts.
And now I’m starting to panic. A kiss? Now? Konstantin’s powerful hand takes me by the small of my back and pulls me close to him. I can feel his throbbing erection thudding against my belly. It practically juts against the bottom of my ribcage . Desire pours through my veins like lava.
Holy fucking shit.
If he kisses me now …
There’s no way I’ll want him to stop with just a kiss.
“Remember, Kitty Cat.” He grabs my chin, forcing me to stare into his eyes. “It needs to be believable.”
I’m trying to think of a comeback, but my tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth. Without warning, he crushes his lips to mine, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Pressure and warmth follow behind his lips, setting me ablaze in the heat of his powerful kiss.
My body melts into him effortlessly. His hand tightens on my chin, the other on my back, holding me close to him as my heart matches the pulsing rhythm of his cock throbbing against my belly. I wish Josip wasn’t here, because all I want is for Konstantin to throw me down on the ground, hold me down as he rips this dress off me, and fuck me.
Instead, I’m forced to stay still, so close to his cock but yet so impossibly far as Josip captures every second of the ever-deepening kiss.
“All done!”
When did I close my eyes? I didn’t even realize I had done it. Now they flutter open, staring into Konstantin’s dilated pupils. His heat is my heat. Abruptly, he releases me, backs away, and adjusts his tie.
He’s putting himself back together, just like me.
Both of us have somehow won and lost at the same time.
I clear my throat. “If we’re done, I’ll meet you at the helicopter.”
He doesn’t respond with words, only a simple nod. Then, he bends close to Josip, who is excitedly showing him the photos on his camera’s screen.
Fists at my side, I power walk to the helicopter, head held high as I try and pretend that my panties aren’t absolutely soaked .
The pilot nods to me when I climb into the helicopter. I buckle myself in, using the strap as a way to restrain my body. I have to do something, or I’m worried I’ll grab Konstantin and beg him to fuck me right here and now.
Calm down, girl. Get yourself under control.
It’s not my fault I’m attracted to him. He’s the one with the stupid good looks and climb-on-top-of-me muscular chest.
My reaction is normal.
Super normal.
Konstantin steps up into the helicopter and my heart does a somersault. “Done already?” I ask. “Not going to dissect every photo he took to make sure they’re all saccharine perfection, Kostya?”
He freezes, shooting me a long, hard look. Something turns behind his eyes. Facing the pilot, he taps his arm. “Get out.”
I wait for the pilot to laugh. To my utter horror, he makes haste to get out of Konstantin’s way.
“W-wait,” I say anxiously. “Do you know how to fly this thing?”
Konstantin settles in the chair, putting on the headset and flicking some knobs. My stomach drops at the sight.
“I asked if you can fly this.” My voice hits the top of my vocal range as all bravado dies in my throat. “Konstantin? Hello?”
The helicopter roars to life, lifting into the air faster than I remember it ever going. I look to the pilot for any sign that this is normal and okay.
He tightens his seat belt and shuts his eyes.
Fuck.
He banks the aircraft hard to the right, sending me rocking in my seat. I’m not even sitting up straight before he flies us in the opposite direction.
“OH FUCK!” I shriek.
We level out, and I breathe a deep sigh of relief.
With quick, sure fingers, he flips more switches, shoves the stick forward, and sends us diving toward the earth. My heart circles down a drain into my guts.
“KONSTANTIN!”
The sea sweeps below us, waves rippling like monsters breaking the surface. I’m terrified. But when I lift my head, I spot Konstantin watching me from the front. He turns back around hastily, a ghost of a smirk playing at his lips.
And I realize …
He’s doing this on purpose!
Of course he knows how to fly—the pilot would never give him the controls otherwise. Konstantin is trying to scare me to death, but he wouldn’t jeopardize his own life. The slow realization that I’m not in any danger turns my heart rate from a-hundred-fifty back to a more manageable eighty.
Still speedy, but reasonable.
With a clearer head, I gaze out the window at the scenery zipping by. It’s like being on a roller coaster, the adrenaline making my skin tingle and my breath catch. I don’t want to admit it, but …
I’m enjoying this.
I’ve always had a taste for thrill rides. Roller coasters, especially the rickety wooden kind that get set up at local summer fairs back home. The ones that were made for kids too young to have a fear of death. Olivia and I would take turns daring each other to get on increasingly terrifying rides. The loser was whoever barfed up their cotton candy and popcorn.
She usually won … But each of those hot summer nights spent with her at my side left me feeling like the real winner.
The helicopter comes to a gentle stop on the roof of the castle. Konstantin shuts the engine down, the blades slowing to a gentle swirl. Popping off the headset, he hurries out the door. I follow, though less quickly, as my legs are wobbling.
“Need some help?” he asks me as I hesitate on the edge.
I turn up my nose. “Hardly.”
“You look green.”
“It matches your suit.” I grip the edges of the door, preparing to hop to the ground. “I said I’m fine. Your flying skills suck, but they didn’t bother me—ahh!”
The second my feet touch solid ground, my legs collapse. My mind might have come to terms with the thrilling flight, but my muscles are still recovering.
Konstantin loops his arms under my legs and sweep me into his arms before I can completely collapse.
“I told you to be careful.” The concern in his voice is almost genuine.
I try to read his expression. My attempt fails and instead I’m consumed by something less logical. His lips, tight in a frown, tease me with the memory of our kiss. His body is strong, holding me up without any effort at all. His biceps are bunched over my arms as they flex to support me.
I want to be pissed at him for a hundred reasons. Good reasons. Yet here I am, gazing at his mouth.
And then, I do something reckless.
I grab hold of his face, and pull it down onto mine. This time, without an audience, the kiss feels real . The way my heart skips a beat in my chest as his tongue sweeps into my mouth feels real. The way Konstantin squeezes me closer to his chest feels real.
His lips and tongue are like fire, and sets my entire body ablaze.
It’s everything I wanted.
And I know he knows it.
Because he suddenly breaks apart from me, sets me on my feet, and backs up just far enough to remove the possibility of this going any further.
Even though I can see his eyes are burning with desire.
I wait for him to say something—anything.
A remark to remind me that this is all fake. That this is all for show. That he’s just using me.
But he says nothing, and that’s when I know that we’re in trouble.