Page 98 of Cruel Promise

“What do you mean?”

“The way he acts, the women, just everything.”

“I seem to recall you telling me you used to dance with your fair share of women.”

“Well, I’ve changed.” He takes my hand, his thumb sweeping over my ring. “I’m a married man now. And you’re Mrs. Petrov. Remember that.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” The way he claims me with his words sends that spark of arousal back between my legs.

It makes me want Nikolai to claim other parts of me. My lips. Lower. Everything.

“Let us dance.” He pulls me onto the dance floor, taking me in his arms. Nikolaiisan actual good dancer. The way he moves with ease is so different from the rigid man I know.

“Maybe you should drink more,” I say over the loud music. “You loosen up.”

“Do you want me loose?”

“I want you to open up to me.”

Nikolai’s eyes darken, and he tightens his arms around me. My body tingles at his touch.

And then the wooziness hits. I stumble back and Nikolai catches me, frowning. “Are you all right?”

“Uh … I must have tripped in my heels.”

He looks me over, then nods. “Come on. Let’s get off the dance floor. I’ll get you a glass of water.”

“I barely drank my wine.”

“You drank all your wine.”

Did I? I don’t even remember.

Nikolai walks me back to the bar and orders a water. The bartender does not hesitate to give him one. I chug the water back, feeling thirstier than I’ve ever been.

“Slow down,” Nikolai advises. “You don’t want to make yourself sick.”

“I’m fine.” Everything feels hot. Loud. Overwhelming. More dizziness hits me. I only had one glass. I can’t be drunk. Granted, I’ve never been drunk before, so I wouldn’t know what it’s like.

But this … this feels different.

“Nikolai,” I say, grabbing his arm.

“Ava?”

“Ava?” another man asks. It’s Jason. He’s back again.

“Oh no,” I whisper.

Nikolai looks between Jason and me, then sets his full intense gaze onto my ex-friend. “I remember you. You go to school with Ava.”

Jason looks Nikolai up and down. “And you’re the husband.”

“I told you to leave it alone,” I tell Jason, which only makes Nikolai tense.

“Leave what alone?” he asks.

Neither Jason nor I answer.

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