Page 56 of Dancing With Desire

“Do we really need details?” asks Aleksandr. “As long as the job is done immediately, we have no need for gossip.”

“Actually,” I say, taking a sip of my drink, “it will be after the wedding.” I feel their eyes on me. “Hewillsee me marry Victoria.”

“Why?” asks Matvey.

“Because he should die knowing he failed.”

“Very well. It’s your plan, your choice.”

“The wedding will be next week,” I add, taking another drink. I haven’t managed to bring it up with Victoria yet, but I’m sure she’ll agree. The sooner, the better, and then we can rid ourselves of their presence in our lives.

“That’s short notice,” says Arkadi.

“Will you be too busy?” I ask, my tone teasing.

He smirks. “I was thinking more of my wife. Her need to sort the perfect outfit will be all I hear about.” We share a laugh, and he raises his glass. “To Dmitry and Victoria. May happiness surround you for eternity.” We all drink to that.

By the time we get back to the villa, the kitchen is a hive of activity. There’s music blaring out, and the women are all either chopping, peeling, or boiling something. I head for Victoria, wrapping my arm around her waist, burying my nose into her hair and inhaling. All I crave right now is to be alone with her.“Good day?” she asks brightly, and I note how refreshing it is to see her wide smile reach her eyes.

“Yes, but now, I want to be inside you,” I murmur in her ear.

She grins. “That will have to wait. We have dinner to get through.”

I groan dramatically. “They won’t notice if we sneak away,” I whisper.

“They will, and I’m on chopping duty. Now, go, stop distracting me.” She swats me away, and I head over to where Marshall is sat by the pool.

“Thank you for the regular updates,” I tell him. Having him text to reassure me that Victoria is fine relaxes me.

“You know, she really is much better. I think you can stop worrying so much, boss.”

I give a stiff nod. “But it seems whenever I let my guard down, something bad happens. She liked the women?” I ask.

He grins. “Yes. I think Phoebe will have a run for her money.”

“How is Phoebe?” I ask, and he looks at me in surprise. “I know you sneak off to see her every so often.”

He smirks. “She’s good. Missing Tori, but I’ve explained the danger surrounding everything right now. She gets it.”

“Maybe you can bring her to the wedding next week,” I say casually.

“Wedding?” he repeats, his eyes widening, “Next week?”

“Shush,” I say. “Don’t get hysterical. I expect that later when I tell Victoria.”

“You mean she doesn’t know?” he hisses.

“Leave her to me,” I say, feeling confident.

“Good luck.”

“The dress fits her, right?” I ask.

“Yes, they’re taking it in a few inches.”

“Go and pick it up tomorrow. Tell the shop owner we won’t be needing further alterations. Our flight is at lunchtime.”

We get through dinner,which is tedious and long. Each time I run my hand up Victoria’s leg, she swats it away. And as we stand at the door to wave the families off, I wrap my arms around her waist and kick the door closed. “You’ve been avoiding me all evening,” I growl, nipping her earlobe between my teeth.

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