The song shifts to something even slower.
Perfect.
I rest my cheek against his chest, feeling his heartbeat quicken beneath my ear.
"Are you always this formal with women you hold in your arms?" I murmur.
His hand tightens in mine. "Only the ones whose brothers sign my paychecks."
I laugh, genuinely amused by his humor. "And if Alessandro weren't watching?"
"He's always watching."
I step on his foot deliberately, though I make it seem accidental. "Sorry,” I say, using the moment to press against him more fully.
Our bodies align from chest to thigh, and I feel the sharp intake of his breath.
"You're playing a dangerous game," he warns, voice low enough that only I can hear.
I look up at him, dropping all pretense. "My whole life is a dangerous game now."
He looks at me with sympathy, which I hate.
“I don’t want your pity,” I snap. “My life ends the day I marry Maksim. I just want to enjoy the time I have left.”
He gives me a slight nod and we continue to dance, now in silence.
I close my eyes, savoring his large hand holding mine, the other against my back, guiding me.
I feel safe in his embrace.
The song ends, but neither of us moves.
"One more dance?" I ask, not ready to relinquish the warmth of his arms.
He should refuse. We both know it. Instead, his hand slides fractionally lower on my back, not improper, but deliberate.
"One more.”
I hide my triumphant smile against his shoulder, heart pounding with equal parts fear and exhilaration.
For the first time in weeks, I feel something beyond dread.
I feel a flutter in my belly that isn’t fear.
The music changes tempo, but Cristian's hold on me doesn't loosen.
If anything, his grip tightens, fingers pressing ever so slightly into the small of my back.
My world narrows down just to him. I've never noticed the exact shade of his eyes before.
They’re not merely brown but almost black, with tiny flecks of amber.
Like embers smoldering in the darkness.
His jaw is sharp, cheekbones high.
I can see how scary he must be to his enemies, and yet, I feel like I see something softer inside him.