“Your uncle’s testing us,” I said, without emotion.
She froze at that statement and then spun back into the bathroom and slammed the door.
I didn’t unpack my bag or even take off my coat. I simply moved to the chair closest to the door and waited for her to come out.
It didn’t take her long. She reappeared a few moments later, dressed in casual baggy clothes with her wet hair twisted up in a bun on the top of her head. Her face was freshly washed and free of makeup, making her look impossibly young.
“You can’t stay in this room.” Her voice was quiet but strong.
I liked a woman with a backbone, and she had a lot of conviction, but I wasn’t leaving this room until she understood the consequences of those actions.
“And when your uncle realizes that you kicked me out? What’ll happen when he realizes that this thing between us is just a ruse so you can avoid marrying Sergei?”
“Marrying Sergei isn’t an option,” she retorted hotly.
I stood up and picked up my bag, dropping it near the couch. “Then you need to sell this like it matters.”
She crossed the room and stood in silent protest, watching as I unzipped my bag. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your uncle is looking for signs that you’re happy. He wants to see that I’m what you want.”
She huffed. “You think that gives you access to me? Because I’m too afraid to tell my uncle that this also isn’t what I want?”
“I’m not interested in having access to you. I’m interested in not being punished for your games.”
“And that means you get to invade my privacy?”
I turned to her fully. “Get your head in the game. You need to start thinking strategically about how you want your uncle to view us as a couple.”
She crossed her arms, but she didn’t argue. She just stated her boundaries. “I need to get ready for tonight.”
We had been summoned to meet the family over drinks later that evening. “You have an hour. I’ll be back to pick you up.”
The evening functionwas held in a private dining room for all of Grisha’s guests. I stood close to Mila, guiding her through the small crowd with a gentle hand on her back. I never stood more than a couple feet away from her, always scanning, acting more like protective detail than lover. This was a deliberate decision, considering we were being watched from all sides. I secured us drinks and then stood close while the rest of the room took their time checking us out.
She whispered to me, “I thought you were supposed to act like you’re in love with me.”
“Shall I grope you?”
“Why is everyone looking at us?”
“Just act like you’re enjoying yourself.” I took a sip of my soda water before smiling down at her. “See? This is me acting like I like you.”
She gave me a tentative smile back. “How this?”
Her smile was awkward as hell. In my peripheral, I saw Grisha watching us from across the room. I took that opportunity to lean down and whisper in her ear. “Your uncle is watching us, so now you need to stare into my eyes.”
She pulled her head back and looked up at me, her expression wary. “Like this?”
I softened my gaze and looked at her like I would a lover. I searched her eyes, dropped my glance to her mouth and then slowly lifted my gaze back to hers.
“This is me pretending to be interested in you,” I murmured.
Irritation flashed in her gaze. “This is so annoying.”
I pasted an indulgent little smile on my face and leaned forward so I could whisper. “No. It would be annoying if Sergei could control your every move.”
A trembling hand reached up and squeezed my arm. She lifted her gaze to mine, her expression one of open vulnerability and emotion. “How’s this?”
