Page 62 of Dancing With Desire

“No. It’s bad luck.”

I hear Victoria’s light laugh. “It’s fine, Phoebs, we’ve already had all our bad luck.”

The door opens wider, and she steps out wearing a white silk dressing gown, and I know beneath it is the underwear she’s been telling me about to tease me. I tug her to me, wrapping my arms around her waist. “I miss you,” I whisper against her lips.

She giggles. “It was one night,” she reminds me.

“One night too many.”

“Yuck, you two, get a room,” says Poppy.

“Good idea,” I say, sweeping Victoria into my arms and marching towards our bedroom, ignoring calls of protest from Phoebe.

I slide Victoria down my body, kicking the door closed with my foot while pulling the robe open. She’s wearing nothing but a pair of white knickers, and I frown. She laughs, wrapping her robe back tightly. “I was not risking my new underwear knowing you’d prowl into that room and steal me. I won’t put it on until it’s almost time.”

I kiss her, tilting her head back and cupping her face. “You know me too well,” I whisper against her lips. “I hate being away from you.”

She laughs again. “Dmitry, we were in the same house because you refused to go and stay in a hotel. Now, you’re supposed to be overseeing everything downstairs. I want that white tent sparkling in fairy lights, and I hope you haven’t tampered with the Champagne order for all of our guests.”

I smirk. “Didn’t I hire a very expensive wedding planner to deal with all that?”

She sighs, a mischievous smile still playing on her lips. “I have five minutes until hair and makeup arrive. What can you do in five minutes?” She arches a challenging brow.

I grin, dropping to my knees and hooking my fingers in her knickers. “Let me show you.”

I shakehands with Aleksandr and kiss Anastasia on the cheeks. The rest of the families have already arrived and are seated, so I point them in the direction. Marshall nudges me, and I glance up to see my father approaching looking flustered. “Glad you could make it,” I say, arching a brow. He’s never been one to show up late for anything, especially with the families around to notice.

“Have you heard from Vivian?” he spits, taking his pocket handkerchief out and wiping his sweaty brow. “I’ve been trying to contact her for the last two days.”

“The families are already seated,” I tell him coldly. “Your late show won’t help matters.”

“What matters?” he snaps.

“You won’t mind if my men check, no?” I ask, changing the subject. He frowns as one of my men steps forwards holding a body scanner.

“Seriously?” he hisses.

“No weapons, remember,” I state, holding out my hand.

He growls, pulling a gun from his jacket and dumping it in my hand. I check the barrel and empty three bullets into my palm, arching a brow. “It’s ridiculous that you want us all to be unarmed,” he snaps. “Have I taught you nothing?”

“Father,” I say, my voice laced with amusement, “who would possibly want to hurt you at my wedding, in my own home?”

He scoffs and holds his arms up while my man scans him. Security gives the nod, and I smile. “Your seat is up front with me,” I tell him.

“Where else would it be?” he snaps, shaking his head and stomping off.

“Delightful mood as ever,” mutters Marshall.

“Shouldn’t you be with my future wife?” I ask, checking my watch.

He gives a nod, but before he leaves, he turns to me and holds out his hand. I eye it for a second before placing mine in it and we shake. “Congratulations, sir. I’m so happy for you both, and although it’s not been a smooth ride, this is exactly where you were both supposed to end up.” And then he gives a stiff nod before heading back into the manor so he can walk my bride down the aisle.

I make my way down the aisle, nodding in acknowledgment as I pass certain people and shaking the hands of others. My father is at the front, tapping away on his phone, and I notice Vivian’s name at the top of the screen. “Maybe she’s tired of you already,” I suggest, smirking.

“I’m sure this is all very amusing to you, Dmitry, but I have things to discuss with her.”

“I’m sure they can wait until after your only son’s wedding.”

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