Chapter 17
Serenity
Aplethora of voices intertwine with the music as I stare into Victor’s deep blue eyes. “I’m not quite sure.”
There’s a playful glint in his eyes—almost like he’s daring me. And I’m never one to back down.
The lights are dimmed in our VIP section, and alcohol flows freely through my veins, making me bolder. I’m facing him but still sitting sideways on his lap. This stupid dress is too tight for me to straddle him. I shift my hips again so that his hardness rubs against me.
I still myself as Victor’s groan reaches my ears. Inhaling, I drop my gaze. I insisted on no sex during our marriage for a reason. After the year is up, he’ll move on with his life, and my heart isn’t ready for devastation again.
Victor inhales sharply before wrapping his arms around my waist. He pulls me against him, and his mouth hovers above mine.
Remember to stay strong. This is all for show.
I bite my lip as my heart pounds in my ears. He’s so close I wonder if he can hear it. No, that’s impossible with the music. But maybe he can feel it. When I meet his gaze, his eyes are hooded.
Neither of us moves, but I should. I need to back away now before he takes this as my approval.
Victor leans down and whispers, “What are you trying to do to me?”
Before I can reply, the same server comes back with another Cosmo, placing it on the table in front of us, and he leaves before I have a chance to say thank you. Thank God.
I’m not sure I could speak to someone else right now.
I take a sip, but I don’t down this one. My head already feels a little heavy, and I need to be able to keep my wits.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I think this should be enough to convince everyone we’re truly in love.”
He takes a quick look around, probably to see if anyone is watching us, before his eyes shut and his forehead rests on mine. “Good point.”
I’m not sure if my ears are playing a trick on me, but his tone seems off.
After lingering for a moment longer, Victor straightens, putting a little distance between us again. All the knots tying up inside my chest finally unwind with a little extra breathing room.
“How about instead of being up here with people who are most likely watching us, we go dance?”
I’m suddenly on my feet, and I almost trip over my heels as he tugs me away from the crowd, out of the red velvet rope, and down toward the dance floor.
After being so close and then rushing through the club, it’s like whiplash.
I struggle to keep my grip on my glass, so I down the rest of it and place it onto a wet tabletop.
Ear-splitting music pumps out of the speakers, and people dance and sway to the rhythm. No one pays us any attention, and it’s a breath of fresh air.
It clicks why he moved us. Down here, we’re just two people lost in a crowd.
My heart is in my throat as Victor guides me, and together, we push through the sea of people.
Couples and groups of women dance, moving their bodies together.
Once we’re in the middle of the crowd, Victor turns around and pulls me closer.
My breasts graze against his chest, and I jolt away, putting a little distance between us.
I never should’ve followed him down here. If only Victor was an old, ugly man, I wouldn’t feel so … Shit, I’m tempted. There’s no denying that fact, but it doesn’t matter. What’s important is I don’t cross the line.
Colorful lights flicker to the music, reflecting off his face. I can’t concentrate on anything other than the fact he keeps his hands on my waist as we move together.
Turning around, a woman stumbles into me, and I’m suddenly shoved into him, my ass pressing against him. Big. Mistake. His hard cock presses into me.
“Are you okay?” Victor asks as I’m shell-shocked still in front of him.
I should move away. Put some distance between us. But I don’t. I start dancing again, and I’m not sure if it’s because of the dark atmosphere or the alcohol, or maybe both. What harm can come from letting loose for once?
He had dared me after all.
Victor’s strong arms wrap around me, and he whispers into my ear, “Can I kiss your neck?”
A chill shoots down my spine at the thought of his lips on my skin. I crane my neck to look up at him. His smoldering eyes hold promises I hope he’ll keep. Or don’t hope. Fuck, I’m letting this go too far.
He leans down, still moving to the beat, and says, “I know you aren’t comfortable having sex with me, and I promise that’s okay. But maybe I can make you feel good another way.”
“I—”
My words cut off when he twists me around so I’m facing him. We’re so close our lips almost touch again. His minty breath dances along my face, and I have the sudden urge to taste him. To finally get a real kiss from my husband—something more than that quick peck at the wedding ceremony.
If I give in, maybe it will get him out of my system once and for all.
I wrap my arms around his neck again and push up. He inhales a sharp breath, and I stop before our mouths press together. If I do this now, I’m not sure I’ll be able to pretend I don’t know what it feels like with his lips on mine.
Victor tilts his head so his mouth is back to my ear. “I’m sorry. I overstepped.”
His words spark something inside me. In all the time I’ve known him, I’ve been much too harsh to him. All he’s done was be nice to my daughter and me. Perhaps I can allow us this one night.
I turn my face, and I narrow in on his mouth. His lips look soft yet firm, and I sink into him. He tightens his grip around me as if he’s afraid if he lets me go, I’ll disappear forever.
“You’re studying my mouth again.” Victor pulls back, and I stumble forward. “Can I kiss you?”
This time, I don’t hesitate. I nod and voice my plan, “Let’s get it out of our systems. Tomorrow we can go back to normal.”
Something flickers across his face, but he masks it as soon as it comes. “I’m not someone to just get out of your system, Serenity. I’m your husband.”
Suddenly, a canyon is placed between us as he turns and strides off the dance floor. My stomach quivers as I stand there, watching him walk away from me. This entire time, he’s been giving me every single green light. So, what in the world just happened?