Page 48 of Wicked King

My hand drifts from the satin comforter to her thigh. Her silk dress has ridden up her hips, well past her knee. I brush the inner side of her leg with my thumb, just below her hem, and goosebumps ripple across her milky white flesh.

“Never,” she whispers.

I’m so enthralled by the feel of her, I forget the course of our discussion. “You’re a liar,” I murmur against her ear before I nibble at her lobe and earn another breathy sigh. “I’ll let you have the master bedroom, for now, but only because it will make things easier once we are married.”

I straighten, and I swear her body crumples forward as I release her. Those rebellious eyes remain fixed to mine, mouth screwed into a pout. I drop my gaze to her thighs and get a flash of silk panties. Better yet, a faint wet spot on the pale, pink fabric.

A wicked smile hitches up the corners of my lips, and an unexpected flutter kicks at my ribs. Just a few more days and that woman will be mine, body and soul. And for the first time in my life, I cannot wait to commit to something.

CHAPTER 23

SEA OF TAFFETA

Jia

“What about this one?” Ari pulls out a blindingly white gown with flashy sequins across the bodice. It’s so loud a passing satellite could see it from outer space.

“Nope, don’t think so.” I stare out into the sea of taffeta and tulle in the bridal showroom in the hottest part of the garment district and curse my best friend for having convinced me to go on this little outing.

I should have just bought some random white dress online and called it a day. Who needs a fancy ballgown for a fake marriage? I’ve barely seen my fiancé since I moved into his penthouse… thankfully. Marco was gone this morning when I awoke, and I stopped by the boutique before meeting Ari and Yéye for this shopping disaster, thereby avoiding all potential proximity. If all goes well, I hope not to have to see that man until I’m forced down the aisle. Even better if he doesn’t show up at all, but somehow, I doubt that is going to happen. After yesterday’s argument on my bed, I’ve determined I need to stay far away from him, despite the way my stupid body reacts whenever he’s around.

Yéye clears his throat, drawing my attention from the onslaught of thoughts twisting my insides. He sits on the upholstered couch watching the action from afar. He insisted on attending this farce, probably to ensure I came home with a dress.

“At least try one on, Jia.” Arianna rifles through the never-ending racks, and all the white blurs across my vision.

Besides my obvious reluctance to marry the Italian mob boss, finding a gown with long sleeves is difficult. They are all either too conservative or too old-fashioned, too frumpy or too traditional. The scars on my arms only make this arduous process ten times worse. I wish Nanay was here, I wish my father hadn’t been such a monster, and most of all, I wish I wasn’t getting married!

Yéye shuffles over as if he’s noticed my impending meltdown and places a calming hand on my shoulder. “Is there truly nothing here you like, baobèi?”

I shake my head, tears brimming in my eyes. God, what is wrong with me? I feel like I’m spiraling, like my entire life is slipping from my control.

Get it together, Jia. Sweeping the tears from my eyes, I delve into the racks beside Arianna once more, adamant on finding something at least semi-decent. What does it matter anyway? Clearly, this will never be the wedding of my dreams.

One of the sales ladies darts by, and grandfather stops her with a quick wave of his wrinkled hand. “Please bring the dress now.”

The skinny blonde drops everything and nods. “Yes, of course, Mr. Guo.” Then she scurries across the showroom and disappears through a door marked Alterations.

I spin toward my grandfather and lift a curious brow. “What dress, Yéye?”

“I had your grandmother’s wedding gown shipped here when I made the arrangement with Mr. Rossi.” He shrugs, a sly grin on his lips. “Just in case…”

A strangled sound erupts from my throat as the timeworn black and white photo surfaces to the front of my mind. Then to my nainai in her elegant gown, looking the picture of sophistication at her own arranged wedding. She used to carry the old picture with her everywhere, tucked in her variety of purses.

Emotion tightens my throat, and I try my best to swallow down the ache. “Thank you,” I finally whisper.

“She would have been honored for you to wear it, baobèi. I believe she kept it in the hopes that one day she could pass it on to you. She loved you so very much.”

My grandmother had only sons, and I was her only granddaughter. As much as I loved my mother, I would never wear her wedding gown with the knowledge of what a terrible marriage she and my father had. But Nainai loved Yéye, and he adored her. If it hadn’t been for my grandparents, I never would’ve known what a happy marriage looked like.

“And I loved her,” I barely manage.

Grandpa awkwardly tugs me into his chest and delivers a surprising display of public affection. Even Ari’s eyes go wide over his shoulder.

The blonde saleswoman rushes by with gowns haphazardly flung across her arms. She pauses just long enough to catch her breath. “Mr. Guo, room three is ready for your granddaughter, and the seamstress will meet you there to make any alterations needed.”

“Very well, thank you.”

“Ooh, yay!” Ari claps her hands. “I can’t wait to see you in your grandma’s dress.”

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