3. Rose
ROSE
We step to the left together, hand in hand, then to the right and Kon's foot nudges against mine.
Another step and our hips collide, then we both step forward at the same time and bump into one another. Kon grunts softly, then slows us to a stop.
"You weren't kidding," I murmur, gazing up at him. "You really can't dance."
"I was not lying."
"I'm kind of impressed."
"Why?"
"Well, look at you." I nudge my chin up slightly.
"We've known each other less than half an hour, but I can tell your suit is exceptionally tailored.
Every man around this room moves with you, even when you almost step on my foot.
Your hair is immaculate, your grip is strong even though you're uncertain of the steps.
Everything about you tells me you're rather distinguished and given that, I would have expected you to know how to dance. "
Alcohol makes the words flow far easier than I'm prepared for. It's not until my mouth closes that I'm struck with the worry that I've said something out of line. After all, I've only known my husband for half an hour.
Kon's hand shifts against my lower back, and his fingers spread a little wider. Then, he leans into me and locks eyes. "You are more observant than you appear."
"When people don't notice you, it's easy to pick up on things."
"Now I am impressed," he replies. "A woman as beautiful as you surely does not go as unnoticed as you would think."
"You'd be surprised." My heart flutters slightly and a welcoming warmth spreads down my back as Kon holds me in his gaze.
The way he speaks is so slow and calm, like he's put exceptional thought into every word before it passes his lips.
He's unlike any man I've ever met before, which might explain why he's happy to marry a woman he's never met.
Father never did tell me what exactly Konstantin gets out of this deal. According to him, it's none of my concern.
An insult since I'm the one being ordered around.
"I am rarely surprised," Kon replies.
"Since you can't dance, then let me."
His brows lift and the last thing I see is the slight parting of his lips as I turn away from him, close my eyes, and let the music flow through me.
Three glasses of gorgeous wine have loosened all the tension built up inside me.
Even Mathew's presence no longer feels like a threat and I throw myself into swaying to the music as if I'm adrift in the waves, being carried back and forth.
Kon doesn't have to move, but as I press my ass back against his hips and sway one way, then spin and grind into him the other way, he gently rocks with me while keeping his hands politely on my waist and shoulders.
Very gentlemanly.
Too gentlemanly.
Mathew and his scumbag brothers talked about Konstantin like he was some kind of bloodthirsty, unruly monster, and getting that monster to fuck me was supposed to be easy.
A man driven by carnal instinct surely can’t resist a beautiful woman in a beautiful dress grinding against him like this. Unfortunately, Kon does.
Despite the placement of his hands and the occasional curious glint in his eyes, he's almost hesitant in his movements.
I spin around him so quickly that several of my curls spill loose and drift across my shoulders.
Each step adds to the ache of my feet in these shoes and the slight tightness in my chest from the corset, but it's fun.
The music is amazing. People around us are laughing and dancing. My heart races, my skin warms and Kon's steady hands return to my waist when I'm back in front of him.
Any other hot-blooded man would be half-hard by now, but not Konstantin. On my next thrust against his hips, he seems entirely uninterested and my confidence wavers.
What am I missing?
Is it because we're in public? Men like Konstantin are possessive, but there are no threats here on our wedding day.
No one I can flirt with that might unlock this feral beast people have told me so much about. In that case, I need to change tactics.
"Goodness," I gasp as the song comes to an end and I lift both hands to push strands of my hair away from my face. "I am so thirsty. Get a drink with me?"
I don't give him a chance to answer.
Taking his hand, I begin pulling him through the crowd, but Konstantin seems to understand my goal immediately.
His grip on my hand grows firm and he walks slightly in front of me, forcing the crowd to part so that I don't have to slip around or dodge anyone.
A straight line opens up from the dance floor to our table and Konstantin leads the way without looking at me, while maintaining a pace that allows me to keep up in these painful high heels.
At our table, he pulls my chair out for me, guides it in as I sit, then lowers himself next to me and catches the attention of a passing waiter.
Whatever he says is stolen away by the music, but barely ten seconds later and two glasses of champagne arrive at our table along with a pitcher of lemon ice water.
Interesting. Ever the gentleman, it seems.
"Thank you," I say to the waiter. As I reach for the pitcher, Kon is once again one step ahead. He pours us both water, then slides one glass toward me. Taking it, I gulp down a few mouthfuls of the cool, clear water and moan softly as it immediately begins to soothe the heat rushing over my skin.
"It's so hot," I murmur. "Are you hot? I'm really hot."
"This is why I do not dance," Kon replies.
"The heat?"
He glances at me but doesn't reply, then turns his attention back out to the crowd and it's almost as if a door has closed.
Out on the dance floor, it was public and everyone was looking at us.
Back here at the table, it's quieter and we're not quite the center of attention. Was that the only reason he was open to talking to me—because people were watching us?
"So uhm… the man who came to collect me earlier, Calvin? He seems nice. Is he… a guard of yours or something? A friend?"
"A guard," Kon replies.
"Oh. And what about him?" Like a shadow, another man with unkempt blond hair has materialized behind us. "What's his name?"
"That is Ethan. My bodyguard."
I turn in my seat and flash him a smile. "Nice to meet you."
Ethan doesn't reply, but his brows tick up faintly in surprise.
"If you don't like dancing," I say as I turn back to Kon. "What do you like?" Leaning my elbow on the table, I pick up my champagne and sip slowly. "What keeps your mind stress-free?"
Kon's jaw ticks back and forth for a moment, then his lip rises as if he's sweeping his tongue across his teeth. "I like to read."
Great. How the fuck do I make reading sexy?
"That's cool. What are you reading right now?" When Kon doesn't reply, I continue. "I like being outside. Any activity that lets me be outside is so fun, although not any kind of intense sports. That's not my jam. But swimming, going to the beach, cycling… all sorts. Do you do any of that?"
Kon's shoulders lift slightly. "I swim."
It's like milking a rock trying to get a decent response from him.
So, he really was just putting on a show because we were in the middle of everyone.
Suddenly, I might as well be as interesting as the flowers on the table.
"Excuse me," I murmur, pushing away from the table. "I have to pee."
As soon as I step away from the table, Calvin melts out of the crowd and becomes my shadow for a few steps until I stop and turn to face him. "Are you following me?"
“Yes, ma'am."
My nose wrinkles. "Ew. Please don't call me that."
"I've been assigned as your personal bodyguard. Where you go, I go."
I glance past him at Kon, who appears to be watching us, but he looks away as soon as I notice him. "Even the bathroom?"
"To the door," Calvin clarifies. "I'm to protect you, not invade your privacy."
"Oh. Okay. Cool." I resume walking while a knot tightens in my chest and remains there until I stumble into the cold tiled bathroom and close the door on Calvin's face.
This is really fucking weird.
I've spent the past six months in utter hell, and yet the monstrous family I've supposedly married into is treating me with more humanity than the fuckers I'm free from.
How does that make any sense?
Caught up in my thoughts, I don't notice the shadow in the corner of the stall until I reach the sink and place my hands on the cold porcelain with a deep, calming breath.
"What the fuck are you playing at?" Mathew melts out of the stall and lunges at me, catching me by the throat and slamming me painfully hard into the mirror.
All air rushes past my lips, and then I choke as he tightens his fist around my neck and brings his face close.
"What was that shit on the dance floor?! "
I claw at his wrist while he spits in my face, his words hushed but just as threatening. It's not until my nail catches on the soft skin beneath his thumb that he finally relaxes his grip enough for me to breathe.
"Y-You told me to fuck him!"
"Not in the middle of the dance floor. Are you fucking insane?"
"I was trying to work out what makes him tick!" I gasp weakly. "He's a hard man to read!"
"In private, you fucking whore. It looked like you were trying to embarrass him into walking away from this marriage, and I warned you what would happen if this failed. Do you need a reminder?"
Pain flashes in my mind, along with a jarring reminder of Mathew's boot slamming down on my ribs. "No," I choke out. "I-I know what I'm doing!"
"Good. Because if I get even a hint of you trying to screw me over, I'll carve up your sister and mail her to a hundred different places all over this city so you can never piece her back together!"
Tears of desperation spring into my eyes as the knot in my chest inflates, threatening to break my ribs from the inside just to expel some of the energy.
Words fail me.
All I can do is nod frantically until Mathew finally releases me.
As he steps away, I crumple down against the sink with a strained gasp.