Leo’s lips stop just inches from mine, his dark eyes lifting to meet my gaze, and my breath catches as time stands still, the tension buzzing like an electric current between us.
It’s suffocating, intoxicating, addicting. I almost tell him I’ve changed my mind, that I want him to kiss me and break this spell.
Then his Adam’s apple bobs, and Leo pulls back with a curt nod, shattering the moment.
Releasing a shaky breath, I try to calm my racing heart, but it can’t seem to find a steady beat.
“You’re right,” he agrees, releasing my wrists to give me space.
My skin tingles where he touched it, and my flesh feels extra-sensitive beneath the heavy fabric of my dress as I straighten it and stand tall.
Then I turn to exit the restroom.
I glimpse my reflection in the mirror as I turn, and despite the heavy layer of makeup, my cheeks look flushed, my eyes bright with excitement.
A shiver races down my spine, and I don’t look back as I return to the party, praying Leo knows to give me a few minutes’ head start.
“Sora, there you are,” my mother says as soon as I step back into the lounge. “Dinner’s just been served. We’re moving to the dining room.” She casts a glance behind me with a subtle frown that makes my stomach knot. “Where’s your groom?”
“He’s not here?” I ask lightly, feigning innocence as I glance around.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” she says, waving her question away. “No doubt he’ll find us.”
Staying close to my side, my mother follows close behind my father and brother as the wedding party and immediate family adjourn to the dining room.
Don Augusta leads the way, taking his place at the head of the table, and he gestures for us to take our seats.
Somewhere along the way, Leo joined the entourage without my noticing, and as he settles into the seat across the table from me, a tingling buzz fills my brain, numbing my ears until I can barely hear the don’s toast celebrating our impending nuptials.
All through dinner, my body feels like I’ve been injected with Novocain, my mind slightly detached from the world around me as I try to make sense of what just happened between me and Leo.
I thought he hated me.
I’ve spent the past four months convinced he wanted nothing to do with me, considering the lengths he’s gone to try to make me break off the engagement.
But what took place in the bathroom could almost convince me otherwise.
I’m confident he intended to kiss me. And God, I wanted him to.
He said he wants me.
What the hell does that even mean?
By all that’s right, I’m already practically his.
Tomorrow, I will be.
And yet, I can’t overlook the effort he’s put into changing that.
So, why can’t I shake this feeling?
It feels like the air between us has been electrified, and every time our eyes meet, my skin lights on fire.
I scarcely taste the five-course meal that’s set before us.
Conversation is a constant hum in the background that I can’t seem to focus on for any length of time.
And before I know it, the evening is coming to a close, the rehearsal dinner ending just before eight o’clock so everyone will get a good night’s sleep before the big day.
