Do I tell him that I’m still a virgin?
He’s a horny hockey player. Of course, he’s going to expect sex in a marriage.
The idea makes my hands sweat.
It’s not that I intended to be a twenty-two-year-old virgin; it just happened that way.
In Russia, no boy in school would have ever touched me. My father would have had him disappear, and besides, he sent me to an all-girls school until I was fourteen. Then he let me move to New York to study where my mother went to school, to Juilliard. And yes, college and the ballet company is a pool of horny artists all sharing each other. But I’ve been too scared to let down my guard, letting anyone find out who I am… who myfather is. Kidnapping is a real thing, and I’ve been too busy for relationships.
The life of a dancer isn’t exactly filled with time for fooling around. The competition is thick, expectations are high, and if you aren’t trying out for every audition, every callback, practically every hour you are awake, forget breaking into a role.
I worked my ass off to get where I was with the New York company, and it paid off, but romantic relationships were not a part of that.
There are so many ways this could all go wrong. I can’t even count them.
An hour later, I'm standing in front of a mirror, wearing an ivory dress with delicate lace sleeves and a fitted bodice that flares into a soft, flowing skirt.
A gown that the saleswoman pulled for me as one of the few samples they can sell off the rack.
It's beautiful.
It's also completely surreal.
"This is actually happening," I whisper.
Irina stands beside me, her reflection serious. "Are you sure about this?"
I think about my father's cold voice. About Maxim Volkov. About the life I've built here, the one I'm not ready to give up. I’m so close to breaking out big in the ballet world. Something my mom gave up to move to Russia to marry my father because she fell in love. I can’t let him clip my wings like he did hers.
A text comes through, and I check it quickly.
Unknown Number:Your father told me that he informed you of our family's alliance. I’ve always thought fondly of you. I would have proposed properly if your father had let me come instead. I look forward to our future. ––Maxim
I add his number to my phone so I won’t get blindsided again by his texts.
"No," I admit. "But I don't have another choice. I’m getting married one way or another. To Scottie or to Maxim. Only one buys my freedom."
She nods slowly. "Then let's buy the dress."
That night, I sit in my apartment, surrounded by half-packed suitcases, staring at the garment bag hanging on my closet door.
My phone buzzes again.
Luka:The plane lands at noon. Be ready.
Me:I still don't understand what's happening.
Luka:The marriage is temporary. Just long enough for us to find a Company to renew your visa and to make grandma believe that you’re married and can’t be married again.
I set the phone down and lean back against the couch, my mind racing.
Tomorrow, I'm getting on a plane to Seattle.
Tomorrow, I'm moving across the country to get married.
To a stranger.
To a hockey player I've never met.
