The woman I am being forced to marry is nothing in comparison to this goddess.Kennedy Edwards doesn’t know me yet, and I know everything will change once she does.
“Wait.” Her voice is uncertain. I should turn around, but instead, I walk deeper into the shadows. I feel her behind me. When I stop, I feel small hands rest on my back, sending shockwaves through me. “Tell me who you are.”She has a British accent despite her Turkish origins. It’s beautiful on her, and I want her to talk to me again.
My hands tremble, wanting nothing more than to touch her. She is the answer to all my problems. I can marry for duty, but somehow still have this beauty. I turn slowly to face her, and a small smile plays on her lips. “Last night was pretty intense, the least you can do is give me your name.” Her voice is soft, like the classical music I listen to when I need to find my way back from the darkness.
I grip a hand around her small waist and pull her toward me. Her violet eyes widen. She’s a pretty thing, and shock makes her even more desirable. I lean in and catch her scent.
“I’ll answer you, if you can answer me honestly.” I whisper. “Were you thinking about me while you touched yourself last night? Are you wet for me right now, Kennedy?”
She frowns, but fire dances in her eyes. She pulls away from me, backing away, but I don’t let her get far, blocking her exit. “Who the fuck are you?” she hisses. “And, what makes you think you can speak to me like that?”
“You’d like to know, wouldn’t you, Güzel?” I stalk toward her, watching her chest rise and fall as she backs farther away. I cage her in between my arms, violet eyes stare up at me, anger shining in them. I like a challenge, and she is certainly giving me one. I lean so close to her, I can smell her minty breath. If I move an inch, my lips could touch hers, and for the first time in a long time, I wonder what that would feel like.
I hear someone coming calling my name, and I back away from her, slipping my hands in my pockets.
Her small hand connects with my cheek. “Don’t you ever touch me again.” She seethes.
She rushes away, and I smile after her, rubbing my cheek. Oh, no, sweetheart. I’ll be touching all of you soon enough.
I find my father waiting for me, considering me with contempt. He’s always been disappointed in me, but after what happened with the whore on the yacht, he’s never looked at me the same. Marrying this woman may be the only way to get my life back.
My soon to be father-in-law, Mert Tekin stands with him. “Ah, Sai,” Mert greets. “It has been years since I’ve seen you. You sure have grown, young man.”
“Mert.” I greet curtly, looking past him at the sexy redhead behind him, her gold dress hugging her curves just right. My wife-to-be, Amelia, is a sight for sore eyes. Any man would be lucky to have her on their arm, there is no doubt about it. But it is the woman next to her, wide-eyed, cheeks flushed, who catches my eye.
I reach for Amelia’s hand, my eyes meeting hers briefly. “It is a pleasure to meet you finally, Amelia,” I offer her my most charming grin.
She smiles at me tersely, her hand rigid in mine. “Likewise.” She answers, clearing her throat.
“And this is?” I ask, despite knowing, meeting those eyes I’ve come to desire.
“This is my best friend, Kennedy Edwards. Kennedy, this is Sai Shah.”
I take hold of Kennedy’s hand, her eyes glowering, daring me. I place a kiss on it, and her skin is like silk. I let my lips linger on her skin a little longer before she drags her hand abruptly from me, stiffening.
“Hi.” Kennedy offers, meeting my gaze with indescribable intensity. She looks down at me with so much fury and disgust it actually turns me on. This arrangement might work after all.
“Would you excuse me? I promised to call my mother.” Kennedy looks at Amelia.
“Be back soon,” Amelia tells her, their eyes communicating something I don’t understand. Our fathers chatter over us as Amelia and I make small talk, all the while, my eyes roam the room for Kennedy. Amelia is as disinterested in me as I am in her.
“We’ve agreed that the wedding will be in a month.” My father’s voice cuts through my thoughts. I stare at him, then at Amelia. I know better than to fight the man on anything, especially in the presence of others.
Fuck, I wish Ravi were here just, so there is one person on my side. But the asshole doesn’t gate crash, and the Tekin’s and Veers hate each other. And since this is Amelia’s welcome home party, it was her guest list.
“I should go check on Kennedy,” Amelia says, and the three of us nod at her. I watch her sashay away, thinking there are definitely worse situations I could be in. But there is no fucking way I’m not having her Kennedy.
Kennedy appears a few minutes later, no Amelia in tow, and I pounce on the opportunity.
“Shall we dance?” I ask, taking her by the hand before she can protest. I wrap an arm around her waist, and she places her dainty hand on my chest. She knows better than to make a scene in front of all these people.
“I hardly think this is appropriate?” she says under her breath, looking anywhere but at me. She’s rigid in my arms, but I know she’ll come around.
“What? Dancing with me? Half the people here are dancing with someone other than their partners. It’s most definitely appropriate, and necessary.”
“Well, you should be dancing with your fiancée, who also happens to be my best friend. Isn’t that the point of this gathering? For the two of you to get to know each other?” she says through gritted teeth.
“I think I like this part better, getting to know you.” My hands wrap tighter around her back, as I lead us around the dancefloor. “You look exquisite, by the way.”
