“Dominic Konstantinov. The pleasure is all mine.” His sexy, rugged voice washed over me like a hot wave I could bask in. God, what was going on with my fucked-up persona?
Ciara tilted her head back and laughed, attracting attention from the men passing by, then leaned forward and murmured, “You haven't seen anything yet.” For a second, something flashed through his eyes, akin to disgust, but it was gone so quickly that again I thought I imagined it.
In an instant, his mouth spread in a sinister smile as he gave Ciara a once-over and tightened his hold on her palm. “I’m intrigued.” Her breath hitched, clearly liking his attention. I noticed Damian and Vitya watched all this exchange with confusion, and even anger, but I couldn't care less about that.
My insides burned with pain and rage.
I hated him touching her, looking at her like that, showering her with his smiles. My fiancé stood literally a few feet away from me, and all I could think about was this Russian gangster who represented everything I had learned to despise during my life in Italy, but at the same time, he created such awareness in me within minutes that my mind spun.
Not being able to take it anymore, I grabbed her elbow and pushed her back, breaking their hold on each other. “Ouch, Angelica, what the hell?” she asked, while I focused my attention on her, afraid to even glance at the men who probably thought I had lost my mind.
Yeah, join the club.
“We need to go check… shoes.”
Ciara frowned. “What shoes?”
Really, what shoes? The last thing on my mind was shopping, but I had to get away from here, and a trip to the museum wasn't something my sister would be in the mood for.
“For the wedding rehearsal.” At least that much was true.
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Of all times to decide on shopping, you chose now.” But then she waved at the guys and winked. “Nice to meet you. I’ll see you around, Dominic.” That last part was slightly sultry, as if she was setting her net for him, and he didn't seem to mind, which pissed me off so much my fists clenched.
“Goodbye, gentlemen,” I replied, and practically dragged her to Oliver, who hugged her close, and she closed her eyes, inhaling his scent. And once again, I wondered just how deep her affections for him ran. Sometimes, when she thought no one noticed, she’d stare at him for hours and listen to every word he said as if he hung the moon.
Why, then, wasn't she the one bonding her life with his in a few days?
He let go of her, and instantly, his arms wrapped around my waist. I had no choice but to circle his neck as he hugged me close. I decided to follow Ciara’s example, closed my eyes, and opened all my emotions to feel something.
Anything.
But nothing happened. His masculine, clean-shaven smell didn't bring my body to a higher alert. I didn't long to stay in his embrace forever and let him touch me. Leaning back, his mouth lifted in a half smile as he placed my hair behind my ear while his thumb slowly rubbed my lower lip. “I promise you, once this deal is done, I’m all yours. We can even travel for a few days to Rome before the big day.” Shaking my head, I stepped back, forcing myself to keep a calm expression on my face and not show the surging panic that screamed at me to run away from this man and this situation.
Preferably to Dominic, who would catch me and never let go.
Oh my God, for the love of everything holy, shut up.
“No need for the trip. We’ll just go now.” I gave him a peck on the cheek so he wouldn't try to catch my lips with his. I entwined my elbow with Ciara’s as I pushed us in the direction of the Florence shopping area, hoping like hell this entire thing was a nightmare and I would wake up soon.
Why?
Because it proved I could feel desire, want, and need for a man. That my memory wasn't the problem and my body wasn't frigid. I could desire a man.
He just wasn't my fiancé.
Dominic
Simmering rage threatened to snap my control, to make me dash toward Oliver and hit the fucking shit out of him for stroking my woman’s cheek.
For caressing her.
For having his ring on her.
For thinking he had the right to hold or stake a claim on my woman, who never belonged to him to begin with.
My hands fisted, my muscles clenching, ready to punch, when two pairs of strong arms grabbed me, and two bodies blocked my view as they stood in front of me, making a brick wall that separated me from the fucker who destroyed my life. “Get out of the way,” I snarled, but they wouldn't budge.
“Don’t act hasty,” Vitya stated, and I barely restrained myself from delivering a blow right in the middle of his forehead for commanding me.
