Alexandra huffs and storms away in her high heels that only serve to make her look more like a goddess. I only feel small and plain.
“Good riddance,” Kira mutters before grabbing one of the small sandwiches off the table and popping it into her mouth. “She was so annoying. I never liked her.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“She’s just a snob.”
“And you aren’t?” Sherry asks, making the other women laugh. “Kira honey, you’re such a snob. Your father gives you everything in the world.”
“I’m spoiled. Not a snob. There’s a difference.” Kira looks at me more closely. “Hey. Natasha. Are you ok? You look like you might cry.”
“Yeah, don’t let that girl get the best of you,” Sherry adds. “She’s just jealous she couldn’t secure herself a man like Maksim. But you got him, honey.”
“But how do I keep him?” If I even want Maksim. He still frightens me and yet I desperately want him to choose me. None of it makes sense.
“Well, you know what men like,” Margaery says, wagging her eyebrows as she takes a sip of her tea.
I frown. “No.”
She coughs on her tea, spilling it on the table.
“Margaery, please,” Sherry says.
Margaery gives Sherry a glare before turning to me. “Men like to feel powerful. They like to be in control. And they definitely want sex. So as long as you give that to your husband, he won’t look in another woman’s direction.”
“But Maksim and I –,” I stop, realizing what I was about to say.
All the women look at me with curiosity.
“But you had a honeymoon,” Kira says like it should be obvious but none of this is obvious to me.
“We… had a wedding night where we…” I lie. I can’t risk my father finding out that Maksim and I have never had sex.
The other women nod in encouragement.
“But I didn’t like it.”
Sherry huffs. “Then clearly he did something wrong. I’m assuming you were a virgin, honey.”
“Yes.”
“Then Maksim should have made it good for you. I suggest you try again. Margaery isn’t wrong. Sex can make a relationship stronger. If you want to keep your husband then keep him satisfied. Make it work.”
“Make it work,” I murmur. I tried giving Maksim my body on our wedding night and failed. Now I know what he’s capable of and I’m scared of him. Can I really try to give him my body again?
I have to make this marriage work for the sake of peace. So I’ll do whatever I have to.
After Kira drops me off back at Maksim’s apartment – well mine now, I guess – I pace around the living room until I hear the lock in the door click open.
I rush into the bedroom. My father had our maid pack me a lot of skimpy nightgowns for my new marriage. I quickly put one of them on and lay down on the bed. The nightgown doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
I can do this, I remind myself. I have to. If I want to keep Maksim loyal. I will put my fears aside and make this work. I will make him want me even if I’m not sure I want him.
I’m waiting for Maksim to appear in our bedroom but he doesn’t. He walks around the house for a bit before going into a far off room and shutting the door. His office, I’m guessing.
My heart only beats faster as I wait. How long will it take him to come find me? There’s no way I can go to him.
After waiting for thirty minutes, I finally hear Maksim’s footsteps approach the bedroom. He stops in the doorway when he sees me.
