Page 85 of Beautiful Cruelty

"Yeah," I breathe. "Just like that."

The hours blur together as we practice the swap over and over. Each time, I circle the podium with Vadim, our steps falling into perfect sync as we move. My wedding dress rustles with each turn, the hidden pocket Irina designed becoming more familiar with every attempt. Every time we finish the third circle, I place my hand on the bible, give Vadim our signal, and make the exchange.

At first, I fumble with the fake bible, my fingers clumsy and uncertain. But Vadim's patient guidance and Irina's quiet encouragement help me improve. The weight of the real bible becomes familiar in my hands, and I learn exactly how to angle my body to shield the swap from view.

Irina calls out our times, and with each attempt, the number gets smaller. Vadim's expression grows more focused, more determined. His hands steady me when I stumble, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. The air between us is thick with intensity as we move together, our bodies working in perfect harmony.

By midnight, we've got it down to less than a second. The movement has become muscle memory.

My fingers know exactly when to move, and the precise moment to return.

It's like a dance now, one where Vadim and I are perfectly in tune with each other's rhythms.

Irina watches us complete another perfect exchange, her green eyes wide with amazement.

"Less than half a second!" She nods her head, red curls bouncing. "I think we'll really be able to do this."

My chest swells with pride at her words. Hours of practice have transformed our movements into something seamless and graceful. Each time Vadim's hand finds mine, each careful step we take around the podium, feels as natural as breathing.

"It's late," she says. "I need to get home soon. Lock up for me on your way out?"

"Of course," Vadim says. Irina offers us both a warm smile before she walks away.

And just like that, Vadim and I are alone.

His storm-gray eyes haven't left my face, and the intensity of his gaze makes my skin tingle. We're still standing close – so close I can smell his spicy cologne and feel the heat radiating from his body.

He circles behind me and spins me around to look at our reflection in the mirror. His presence fills the space, making the elaborate bridal boutique feel intimate and charged.

"You look..." His voice trails off as he looks at me in the mirror.

"Surprisingly well put together?" The words come out breathier than I intended. My heart thunders in my chest as his fingers brush against mine.

The dress rustles softly as I shift my weight, hyperaware of how the silk clings to my curves. Vadim's eyes darken as they follow the movement, and suddenly the room feels too warm, too small, too charged with everything unsaid between us.

"So much more than that." His hands settle on my shoulders, warm and steady through the delicate fabric. "We look right together."

I can't deny it—we do. His tall, commanding presence perfectly complements my softer curves. Like we were designed to stand beside each other this way.

"I can't believe it's all coming to an end soon," I admit softly. "I still don't know what to make of any of it. Or you. And yet…"

His thumbs trace small circles on my shoulders. "And yet?"

"And yet..." I bite my lip, watching our reflection. "I don't think I'm ready for it to end. I don't think I'm ready to go back to reality."

The confession hangs between us, more honest than I meant to be. His hands tighten slightly on my shoulders, and I see something flash across his face—surprise, desire, or maybe both.

"You don't have to," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "Not if you don't want to."

I turn in his arms to face him, struggling to find the right words.

"I'm torn," I whisper. "It's like there are two versions of me fighting for control. One wants to run as fast and far as possible when this is over because you're dangerous and intense and everything I shouldn't want."

My fingers twist against his. "But the other part..." Heat floods my cheeks as I recall kneeling before him in the jewelry store. "The other part wants to stay because it craves things I never knew I wanted."

His eyes darken at my words, but he remains silent, letting me continue.

"When you put that ring on my hand..." My voice catches. "You looked at me like I was the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen. Almost as if you weren't whispering all those dirty things in my ear a few hours before. It was everything I didn't know I wanted. To be proper?—"

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