I look around and my eyes catch on the sharp silver cake knife. I smirk as I whip my hand out to grab it. He seems to listen a lot better when I have something to fight back with. But all too quickly, my hand is grasped in his, and he uses it to pull me into him.
“Not so fast, tiger. Now isn’t an appropriate time to showcase your weaponry skill.” He chuckles darkly as he pulls me even closer.
I huff and roll my eyes. I hate that he knows me so well. I push against him, but he effortlessly pulls me right back in. I struggle against his hold trying to recall how Nik taught me to get out of this one.
“You’re going to cause a scene,” I hiss at him when I realize how we look.
He looks around, then back at me. With my heels on, we’re almost eye level. He lifts me slightly off the ground and carries me to the dance floor. I refuse to be impressed by his strength.
“What are you doing?” I mutter at him.
He ignores me and readjusts us until we look like we’re a normal, non-matricidal couple dancing. He spins me around the floor, and with each turn, the distance between us diminishes. Until we’re chest to chest. Until our lips are mere centimeters apart.
“I’m enjoying a dance with my exasperating, infuriating, captivating wife.” Even though I can feel the anger hanging in the air, there’s something else in his eyes. A different kind of heat.
Lust.
And I smile because I can use that to my advantage. I soften my features, matching his passion. It’s easy because I’m feeling it too. I’m just stronger at fighting it. Glancing at his lips, then back at his eyes, I lift my chin slightly towards his mouth. His eyes widen, then a wicked grin takes over. His hand travels up my back pulling me in. He tilts his head, and when our lips are a breath apart, I pull back and laugh. It sounds almost maniacal. But I can’t help it. This man brings me to the brink of insanity.
“Darling, I won’t be the one to crack first. You’ll have to be on your hands and knees begging for me before I give in.” I pull back as I say it and meet his steel eyes.
His hand snaps up my back and grasps the back of my neck. He uses it to pull me back into him. But instead of going for the kiss, he hovers.
“Maybe you’re right, tiger. Maybe I need to show you why you’re mine, so you stop fighting it.” His features change, and suddenly, I’m looking at man who’s at peace. And that terrifies me.
“What… what do you mean?” I ask warily. For the first time, I feel unsure. I don’t know what his next move is. He diverted from the script. He wasn’t supposed to agree with me.
“Come,” he muses then untangles himself from me. He steps back, breaking all contact except the hand gripping the back of my neck.
And then he marches me out of the ballroom. Through the hotel. To the front desk. Then up the elevator. Until we’re in front of a door to a hotel room.
He unlocks it.
Turns the handle.
Then looks at me.
“Get inside. You’re never going to question whose wife you are again.”
Chapter 37
Katerina
Instead of walking into the room, I remain in the hallway with my hands on my hips.
“‘Never question whose wife I am?’”I hiss his words back at him. “You brought me to a hotel room to what, fuck some obedience into me? To show me who’s boss? Well guess what, I’m not your wife. Not really. All of this is fake. Don’t forget that.”
Blackness consumes his irises. His entire body tenses. He grips the back of my neck again and leads me into the bedroom. The door slamming shut echoes throughout the silent room.
“This isn’t fake, and you damn well know it.” His voice is lethal. He doesn’t beg for my understanding; he demands my affirmation.
“Dominic, this is a business agreement. We’re not really married. It’s not real!” I push him. I’m trying to remind myself too. When he agrees with me, when he backs down, I’ll finally be able to let this go.
“IT’S FUCKING REAL! IT’S ALWAYS BEEN REAL! WE’VE BEEN MARRIED SINCE OUR FIRST FIGHT AT OUR RECEPTION! I’VE BEEN YOUR HUSBAND SINCE YOU STABBED ME IN THE LEG! YOU ARE MY WIFE! AND I’LL BE DAMNED IF ANYONE, ESPECIALLY YOU, QUESTIONS OUR MARRIAGE!”
His raised voice sends shivers down my spine.
“I didn’t know. I–” I stammer over my words.
