His brows rose by a fraction when he met my gaze.
My hair was a mess, the buttons on my undershirt ripped off, and the air reeked of sex. Of course, he understood what had happened here.
His lips twisted into a faint smirk as he stepped forward with a file in his hand. “Quite the scene,” he said, letting out a soft chuckle. “I didn’t think she was gonna let you smash so early. Guess even the Ice Queen melts eventually.”
This wasn’t the first time he made teasing remarks like that about my lovers, but this was the first time it didn’t sit well with me. My brows knitted together, displeased by the disrespect in his tone and the mocking glint in his eyes.
“Watch your tongue, Sergei,” I growled, my voice edged with steel. “Don’t forget your place.”
His eyes squinted, shocked by my response, and I watched the humor drain from his face. “Apologies, Boss, I thought—”
“You thought wrong,” I cut him off, cold as ice. “She ismywife, and you will accord her the same respect as me. Understood?”
He locked his jaw and straightened his spine. “Yes, Boss.”
I didn’t expect to be so pained by his usual remark about those random girls I used to bring home. His words seemed like an attack on Scarlett, and I couldn’t take it. But why was that? Why had I stood up for her the way I did?
I’d told myself countless times within the last hour or so that she didn’t mean anything to me. She was just another woman I slept with. Nevertheless, deep down in my heart, I knew it wasn’t true. Scarlett was different. Not only because shewas my wife, but because there was something about her that set her apart from the others.
One thing was certain: She was no random girl. And as much as I tried to convince myself that the sex was casual, I knew it was more than that.
It was something far more dangerous, something reckless, and the worst part was that I liked the feeling.
***
The following day, I decided to show her off to my associates and business partners at a gala I was invited to. I had the maids, Nikki and Natasha, make her up so she’d look the part and easily blend in with the elites.
I stood in the downstairs living room, glancing at my watch every now and then, wondering what was taking so long. They’d been up there for about an hour, getting her ready for the event.
My feet tapped against the marble floor, my polished shoes glinting in the soft light. With each passing minute, I felt my patience growing thinner. I could excuse my new bride’s ignorance about how much I hated to be kept waiting—but not the maids. They should’ve known better.
Just when I was about to lose my temper, the scent of her perfume drifted lazily into my nostrils. I raised my head toward the curved staircase leading to the living room, and my heart stopped for a moment.
My brows arched in astonishment as I watched her gracefully walk down the stairs, exuding an air of confidence and style. Her short blonde hair was styled to perfection, with a few strands framing her face. I almost didn’t recognize her because she looked even more gorgeous than she had on our wedding day.
She was wearing the red dress I’d personally gotten for her, and it hugged her in all the right places. The hem flowed ather feet as she moved, the daring slit on the side of the fabric exposing teasing glimpses of her alluring thighs.
The gown accentuated her figure, and the heels on her feet made her look inches taller. Her makeup was so light and natural that it blended with her skin tone. She descended the stairs like a goddess from Greek mythology, her manicured fingers brushing along the polished railing.
Damn.
I almost lost my composure but kept my excitement in check.
Scarlett was insanely attractive, and I had no doubt that her presence by my side would turn heads at the gala. She reached the base of the stairs and kept her eyes locked on me, her waist swaying as she moved.
Wow.
I dug my hand in my pocket, watching her approach me like a beauty queen. Her eyes sparkled in a way I hadn’t seen before, with a glint of mirth dancing beneath the surface.
When she stopped in front of me, I nearly lost my voice, mesmerized by her beauty. She stared into my eyes like nothing had happened between us last night. But I knew it was all just an act to make me think the incident meant nothing to her.
I was tempted to compliment, to tell her how gorgeous she looked, how elegantly she glowed. However, on second thought, I kept my remarks to myself.
“Let’s go,” I said, wearing my usual cold attitude. “We’re late already.”
As though she was expecting the attitude or was already used to it, her expression didn’t shift—not a single bit.
***
