Page 31 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

“You came back to Russia knowing I was here.”

I scoff. “Not everything is about you.”

“You’re right. Not everything is about me. But let me ask you this.” He starts going through the rack of dresses. “Who did you think about last night when you went to bed? Your new fiancé or … me?”

“I didn’t think about either of you. The moment my head hits the pillow, I’m out. As I said last night, I needed my beauty rest.” I was most definitelynotthinking about Aleksander spanking me. Not. At. All.

“Fair enough. But if I’m being honest, I couldn’t stop thinking about the feel of your ass in my hand. You have a plumper ass than I expected for a ballerina.”

“Are you calling me fat?” I try not to wrap my arms around my waist. I’ve already lost a couple of pounds. I just need to lose some more, and then I’ll be skinny enough to dance again.

“I’m calling you sexy, Viktoriya.” He doesn’t look at me as he says it, which somehow makes it worse.

It’s also bad because I feel a slight tingling sensation between my legs.

I press them tighter together and ignore it. Aleksander will not make me feel anything other than pure derision.

“I’m an engaged woman now. I don’t think you should be calling me sexy.” I flip my hair over my shoulder. “Though, I do appreciate a compliment.”

He chuckles. “Of course, you do. This is a nice one.” He pulls out a dress.

I don’t spare it a glance. “What do you know about wedding dresses? You grew up poor. I doubt you ever had the money for the finer things in life.”

“I didn’t. I know nothing about wedding dresses. I may not know everything about you, Viktoriya, but I’m getting a sense of who you are as a person. And I know what dress would look good on you. I think this one would.” He sets it down on a nearby seat. “Try it on. Don’t try it on. But I figure you want to look beautifulon your wedding day.” He winks. “I’ll see you later.” With a whistle—an actual goddamn whistle—he leaves the store.

Sofiya and Mila hurry over to my side. “What did he want?” Sofiya asks.

To make fun of me. “To talk,” I say instead.

“Here.” Mila hands over the stack of wedding dresses she picked out. “You have to try these on.”

Sparing a glance at them, I can tell I’ll hate every single one. But Sofiya’s words are still in my mind. Be nice to her. So, I force a smile and grab them from her.

“Oh, and this one, too!” She picks up the dress Aleksander chose and lays it on top of the pile.

I hate what I see.

The dress has a regal look to it with a high back collar and long sleeves. There’s no way Aleksander could think this dress is right for me.

But I’m going to try it on so I can prove him wrong and tell him that the next time I see him.

“Thank you, Mila.”

Mila beams under my praise while Sofiya nods in approval. Be nicer.

I head into the fitting room and start trying the dresses on. It’s quickly apparent that all the ones Mila gave me are just not … good. They’re pretty, I’ll give them that. They’re just not me.

I save Aleksander’s dress for last. I laugh as I try the dress on, ready to tear it to shreds in my mind.

And then I see myself in it.

I suck in a breath. I look … like a queen. It fits me to a tee—it doesn’t even need any alterations made to it. It’s like I stepped out of the royal house in this dress. It was made for me.

How did Aleksander know this dress would work?

He doesn’t know me. He doesn’t even like me. If he did, he wouldn’t have spanked me in his efforts to humiliate me.

The dress is perfect.

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