My other hand smoothed down her waist, then her lower back, holding her hips close to mine. Her scent was intoxicating enough to put me in a trance, fingers lingering along the seams of the dress she was wrapped in.
A thrum of satisfaction sounded deep in my chest, and I kissed down her neck before kissing lower down her chest as I dipped her backward.
“Tell me you don’t want it,” I breathed, looking up at her from between her breasts. Those cold eyes peered wide at me through her lashes.
“I despise you.”
“That’s not what I asked.” I smirked, fingers digging into her hip.
“Your gestures mean nothing.”
“That’s not what I heard when you used to scream my name.”
“Do you remember thelasttime I screamed at you, by chance?”
“How could I forget a single indignity that manifests on those soft lips?”
“Undignifiedcertainly is an appropriate description.”
“I would use the same description for yourself.” I dragged my tongue between her breasts and back up to her neck.
“Alina?” A sheepish voice spoke.
Alina stiffened against me like a board, her eyes tracking over to the voice. If I didn’t know better, I would say she was mortified.
“Oh,” I practically purred. “Hello,Edith.”
Alina’s shoulders shrank with tension.
“Don’t be rude,” I scolded, jolting her by her hair and forcing her face to turn to Edith. “Is that how you treat your Nest? Not even ahello?”
“Edith, please... you have to go,” Alina begged.
Edith’s eyes were wide and unable to take themselves off the situation before her, frozen in horror.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I managed an innocent, mocking tone, glancing at Alina. “I am getting déjà vu from the first time you laid eyes on me,my love,” I teased.
“Alina—” Edith cupped her hands over her mouth and nose, like she was about to apologize.
I pressed my cheek against Alina’s as I regarded Edith. “I should be thanking you for making this happen, Edith. I couldn’t have found her without you!” I laughed. How delicious it all was.
“What . . . are you saying?” Alina growled.
“Do you want to tell her?”
Edith looked like she was about to crumple into tears. I could see the wetness forming in her eyes and a trembling lip. She escaped the question physically, disappearing back through the crowd. People were beginning to stare at the scene unfolding.
“She is quite cute, chatty as well,” I whispered, gently nipping at her cheek before she began to struggle. “Ah-ah! I am not finished with you.”
“Let me go,” she gasped, shoving against my chest.
“Never again.” I took in a deep breath, holding her tightly. “Though, in the spirit of old times, I will give you one more night of peace.”
And despite the tension, I let her go.
She stumbled back, wasting no time slipping away from me, disappearing through the crowds of mingling bodies.
I grasped the knife in my side, yanking it out with one swift pull, the black blood dribbling onto the marble tiles. I shook my head, wiping both sides of the blade on my jacket.
