Page 91 of Cruel Promise

“You need to eat,” Nikolai says once Claude is gone.

“Please don’t tell me what to do.”

“Manners? I didn’t think you had any when you eavesdropped on me.”

My fork clatters to the table. “You know the sad thing? I wanted you to know I was there. I wanted you to know I could relate. That I feel a deep hole of pain in my chest every day. But I didn’t intrude because I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

“You didn’t have a problem with that when you told me you eavesdropped on me.”

“That’s because I was angry. And I’m tired of fighting. You don’t want us to have a real marriage, yet you insist on keeping me locked in this one. You owe me, Nikolai. I saved your life. I’m calling in my favor.”

He scoffs. “I didn’t realize I gave you any favors to call in.”

“I want to go back to school.”

He doesn’t say anything, which I take to mean is a good thing. At least he’s not instantly saying no.

“I miss it,” I continue. “Give me this, at least. You know it’s right.”

Nikolai clears his throat and stands up. I watch him approach me and hold out his hand. “I propose a deal. You dance with me, and I won’t stop you from going back to school.”

“You want to dance with me? Why?”

“Because you’re my wife.” He keeps his hand extended.

“No strings?”

“Just a dance.”

I slowly take his hand and let him pull me to stand. When he places his other hand on my waist, I shiver. My body still responds to his touch despite how mad at him I am.

“There’s no music,” I say.

“That’s never stopped me before.”

I don’t want to ask because I want to stay mad at him, but I ask anyway. “You dance a lot without music?”

“No. I rarely dance now. But before my … incident, I used to go out dancing all the time. Lots of woman fought for my attention.”

“Are you bragging?”

“No. Just stating a fact. I got really good at dancing.” He pulls me in closer, his hands firm on my body. It’s distracting to say the least.

“You don’t dance anymore?”

“No. Not until now.”

“Why now?”

“Because I don’t want to fight with you. You’re miserable. I know I’m the reason. And for that … I’m sorry.”

I look at him more closely. It’s a little intimidating being this close to him. “Why say it now?”

“Because you’re right. You did save my life, and I’ve been nothing but an ass to you about it. You could have run, but you didn’t. If you want to go back to school, I won’t stop you. But …”

“But?” My heart is racing.

“But I expect you to come back.”

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