My friends burst into delighted laughter.
"Well, that settles it!" Sofia takes the corset from me. "The black it is."
But I barely hear her. All I can focus on is the thundering of my pulse at his words.
My friends gather my things for me and I pay, arranging them to be delivered.
Then it’s off to meet Maksim at the Yacht club venue for the wedding. He meets me inside.
It’s a beautiful location, and yet, all I feel is the cold reality that this is the place where I’ll be bound to him for the rest of my life.
As I approach Maksim, his dark eyes appraise me like I’m a prized horse.
"My beautiful bride," he calls. "Come, let me look at you."
I force myself forward, feeling Cristian's warmth fade as he maintains a respectful distance behind me.
Maksim takes my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles. His beard scratches my skin. "The perfect setting for our union, don't you think? God himself will witness our families becoming one."
I manage a smile. "It's beautiful."
His eyes drift down my body, lingering on my breasts. It makes my skin crawl. "You should dress like this when we’re married. Show off that fire of yours that I'm so looking forward to taming."
I fight the urge to pull away as his hand slides up my arm, his fingers brushing against my collarbone.
"Such soft skin. I look forward to exploring every inch of it on our wedding night."
Behind me, I sense Cristian tense.
"Perhaps," Maksim continues, his hand drifting lower, skimming the swells of my breasts, “we could move the ceremony up. Why wait to claim what's already mine?"
Cristian moves forward, a step that brings him just behind my right shoulder.
I’m relieved to feel his protection until Maksim raises a brow as if to ask what Cristian thinks he can do. I realize then the precarious situation I’ve put us in simply by wanting to torment Cristian like a silly teenage girl.
If Cristian does anything against Maksim, the war will escalate.
I hold a hand up to him and give him a silent plea to step down.
Cristian’s jaw tightens, but he gives a curt nod and steps back.
I turn back to Maksim, his eyes narrowed, his fingers still on my skin.
I playfully swat his hand away. "Now, now," I say with a flirtatious tone. "You'll have to control those wandering hands until our wedding night, Pakhan."
Maksim's lips curve into a slow, predatory smile. "Very well, my fiery one. I will wait. But on our wedding night…" His gaze rakes over me again, not bothering with the pretense of politeness. "I'll take my time with you, Valentina Dante. Teaching you the meaning of obedience."
The threat sends ice through my veins. I maintain my smile through sheer will. Behind me, Cristian shifts his weight.
“The wedding planner is waiting,” I say, desperate to break this moment. "Shall we?"
Maksim offers his arm, and I have no choice but to take it.
His muscles are like steel beneath my fingertips.
It’s a reminder of the strength he could use against me when we're alone.
When there's no Cristian or Alessandro to protect me.