Page 109 of The Ruin I Chose

I nodded and headed for the shower. By the time I came out, Roxanne was gone. I dressed fast—black shirt, black pants, and a blazer. Kyra tugged my hand, and we walked to the banquet hall with her grandmother trailing behind. Roxanne was still nowhere to be seen.

Sahil’s friend stood at the mic, asking everyone to take their seats. He told the story of how Sahil met Priya—client turned lover, persistence turned partnership. Apparently, Sahil had fumbled through their first meeting, spilled coffee on her file, and called her by the wrong name. Twice. They met again at a party, and he tried to redeem himself with charm and tequila.

Priya wasn’t impressed. But Sahil kept showing up—at her office, at her gym, even at her favourite coffee shop. Eventually, she gave in. Tonight, we’d see that story unfold through dance. Their awkward beginning, their slow burn, their final leap into love.

The lights dimmed and the music kicked in.

Sahil grinned. “This one’s for you, baby.”

The first dance was a surprise—Sahil and the groomsmen. And Roxanne.

She stepped onto the stage in sequin pants, a black blazer, and an electric blue corset blouse. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, black sunglasses and white sneakers completing the look. She looked like fire—contained but lethal.

The first track hit hard—gritty, seductive, with a bassline that prowled like a dare. It was a cover by an Italian rock band, all rasp and swagger. I smirked. This had Roxanne written all over it. They moved in sync—slide, swing, drop. Roxanne was in her element.

I’d seen her dance provocatively. But this? This was electric—sharp, deliberate, impossible to look away from. There was a moment she twirled her hips and shook her ass—

Damn. It felt aimed at me. And it hit. All I could see was her.

Then the music shifted—bright, playful, instantly familiar. A Bollywood track. The crowd erupted. I recognised the beat—one of those songs Sophie and Matteo couldn’t stop dancing to. Roxanne came to the edge of the stage, lowered her sunglasses, and winked. It felt like she winked at me.

Had she forgiven me? Or was this just a performance—a dance choreographed to keep me guessing? I had no idea what was going on in that pretty little head of hers.

One moment, she was upset—walking away, cold and unreadable. The next, she was setting me on fire with a glance.

Then came a Punjabi track—fast, joyful, impossible not to move to. Kyra ran up and joined them, twirling beside her mother. The crowd roared. She returned a minute later, breathless and glowing. Next was the couple’s dance.

Roxanne’s blazer was gone, replaced by a sheer black fabric draped over her shoulders like a saree and heels replaced her sneakers. She moved with grace, hips fluid, eyes locked on the rhythm.

Arjun’s hands wandered, lingering on her waist too long.

I wanted to snap his fingers one by one—make him remember what wasn’t his. Then they switched partners and Vihaan stepped in.

Their chemistry was fluid. Kyra cheered. My heart sank.

Roxanne’s mother leaned in. “Don’t read too much into this. It’s just a dance.”

The bride squad’s dance was next. Vihaan sat beside us after their set. I saw Roxanne slip out. Before I knew it, I was headed out too.

She came out of the restroom, adjusting her hair. Her fingers were still tangled in her curls, lips slightly parted, cheeks flushed.

I didn’t think. I just moved.

I pulled her into a dark corner of the hallway, cornering her there. I gently pushed her against the wall—one hand on her waist, the other braced beside her. I leaned in, close enough to taste her breath. I could feel her pulse through the air between us.

My restraint was hanging by a thread. Heat rose between us. Surprisingly, she didn’t push away. Like she’d anticipated this. Like she wanted it.

“I didn’t know you could dance like that.”

She smirked. “I thought you saw me dance in Florence.”

“That was provocative. This was almost professional.”

“What can I say?”

She leaned in, brushed her nose against my ear. “I aim to please, Mr. Vitale.”

Her breath on my ear sent an electric jolt to my cock. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to pin her right there.