Dravka made a rough sound in the back of his throat when she pressed closer. His tongue met hers and he worked it expertly against her, drawing little sounds from her throat, building up heat in her belly. His palm left her cheek and then his arms were around her, pulling her closer, as Valerie’s head swam.
“This is how I wanted to kiss you for the first time, Val,” he rasped against her lips. “Just likethis.”
“Dravka,” she whispered, her hands sliding down his chest, taking liberties she’d never allowed herself before. Because she knew they had little time left? Perhaps.
His hands gripped her harder and she felt his length pressed to her belly, thick and impressive. Dravka groaned, biting out something in Keriv’i when she brought their bodies even closer.
She felt his two hearts throbbing endlessly. She heard her own blood rushing in her ears. She heard the gentle whisper of clothing across flesh. She heard the rough rasp of his hands against her as they slid down and down.
Which was perhaps why she didn’t hear the clicking of high heels down the corridor in the basement. Which was perhaps why when the door to her room opened, it was already too late.
“How darling,” drawled a familiar voice.
With a ragged gasp, Valerie broke away from Dravka, jerking her head to the door.
Madame Allegria stood there, dressed in a floor-length, silky black dress that molded to her ample curves. Her painted red lips—that had always resembled the color of blood in Valerie’s mind—were curved in a mocking kind of smile, though there was a sharp, icy glint in her gaze when she saw Dravka’s hands curled around her hips.
Valerie pushed at Dravka’s chest until he reluctantly released her.
“You’re back,” Valerie said, as if it weren’t obvious. Her voice sounded breathless even to her own ears.
“And you’ve beenplayingwhile I’ve been away, Niece,” her aunt taunted, her eyes returned to Dravka’s, before trailing down his body with a possessive, knowing gaze that made Valerie’s stomach churn.
Valerie stepped in front of him, forcing her aunt to look at her instead.
Madame Allegria smiled again as she assessed her kiss-reddened lips, widened eyes, and heaving chest.
She tossed something at Valerie, something encased in velvet and on a silk hanger. A dress of some kind. She managed to snag it, just keeping it from falling on the floor.
“Get dressed and make yourself presentable,” her aunt said, her eyes narrowing. Her gaze flicked up to Dravka behind her, that smile turning mocking, and then said, “We have a dinner with your fiancé and your future in-laws tonight.”
Behind her, Dravka stiffened, a harsh breath escaping him.
“I’ve done you a favor and cancelled all the clients for tonight since you won’t be here to receive them,” Madame Allegria went on, which surprised Valerie. “Aren’t you going to thank me?”
Valerie didn’t say a word, only stared across the short distance between them, her hands clutching the dress harder.
“Be upstairs in twenty minutes,” Madame Allegria said, her voice hardening. “You don’t want to keep Gabriel waiting.”
Chapter Thirteen
“What’s the use for a long engagement?” Derek Larchmont’s voice boomed around the dining room. It was grand and tastefully furnished with Old World pieces Valerie knew must’ve cost a fortune.
Plush red velvet dining chairs. The long and flawless stretch of a mahogany wood table with gold inlaid beneath the silky varnish. It could easily seat twenty people, though only five were in attendance that night. Another shimmering chandelier dangled over the wood and Valerie wondered what would happen if it crashed down onto the table, breaking dishes filled with rich food and thick gravies.
Derek Larchmont’s wide smile and his twinkling blue eyes came to Valerie. “This is an arranged marriage, after all. In our circle, they are expected. There is no shame in getting married soon. We can wait for summer, in a few weeks’ time, since it will be more fashionable.”
“Dear,” Celine cut in, placing a palm on her husband’s forearm. “I think you underestimate how much time goes into planning a wedding. There are expectations. An event of the season, you see? We are Larchmonts. We mustn’t disappoint.”
Celine’s lips twisted a bit as she said those last few words, her eyes coming to Madame Allegria briefly before dropping away.
The beautiful blonde was seated next to her husband at the dining table. Valerie was across from her, Madame Allegria was to Valerie’s right, and Gabriel Larchmont, her intended husband, was seated next to her aunt. It was a small reprieve that Valerie had no reason to look down the table at him and she did her best to not meet his gaze too often.
Valerie swallowed and she reached for her glass of wine to soothe her suddenly dry throat.
“I think a quick wedding is ideal,” her aunt cut in, leaning back in her seat slightly, baring a glimpse of cleavage from her plunging neckline. “This is a matter of business, Celine. You said yourself Gabriel cannot claim his share of the company until he is married. You have a busy import season coming up, do you not?”
Valerie took another sip of wine before setting her glass down on the table. She’d barely opened her mouth once. Only to eat, though the food tasted like ash on her tongue. Which was fine because her shimmering teal dress was so tight across her abdomen that eating a lot was simply not possible.
