Page 51 of Beautiful Beast

I’m left standing in the middle of the room, all on my own. I’m suddenly aware of just how …femaleI am. My dress. My breasts. My long hair.

A few of the men in the room look at me, giving me glances that are not completely innocent.

I look over at Erik, who’s still conversing with James. Why do I have the urge to go over to him and grab his hand?

I push that from my mind. It’s silly. I don’t need Erik to protect me. I’ll be fine.

I grab a champagne flute and sit down on the couch. A man sits down next to me.

“Alek Lipovsky.” He holds his hand out to me with an expectant look on his face.

“Uh, hello.” I tentatively take his hand. Alek’s grip is a lot stronger than I expect. He almost takes my arm off from how rough his handshake is.

“So, you’re Erik’s wife. I was at your wedding.”

“Oh? I didn’t see you there.”

His laugh is boisterous. “That’s because we hadn’t been introduced. But now that we have, may I say that you made one beautiful bride.”

“Thank you.”

“Erik made a handsome groom. You’re a beautiful couple. I’m sure you get that all the time.”

“Actually, no. Not at all.”

“Shame. A beautiful girl like you deserves to be complimented all the time.” He leans over the back of the couch to grab a champagne flute from a passing waiter. As he sits back onto the couch, his hand brushes against my arm.

I shift away from him.

“Oh, you don’t need to be so far away!” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me against his side. “I won’t bite.”

“Should you be touching me?”

“Why not?” He chugs his champagne back.

“Because I’m married to Erik. He might not appreciate you touching his wife.”

“Then, good thing Erik is busy. It’s his fault if he’s not paying attention to his wife.”

I search for Erik in the crowd and find him still talking to James. He hasn’t looked over at me once. That’s fine. That doesn’t bother me.

I turn back to Alek. “You know what, Alek? Do you want to have some fun?”

“I would love to have some fun.”

“Then let’s get drunk.” I grab another champagne flute and drink it back in one go.

Alek laughs. “You’re a wild one!”

“I try to be.” If I’m going to be stuck at this party, I might as well let loose a little. Erik doesn’t seem concerned that I’m the only woman surrounded by men. I’ll be fine.

Alek cheers me on as I throw back another drink. And then another. And another.

“Uh, miss?” the waiter asks. “Maybe you should slow down a little.”

“I’m good.” I reach for another glass when someone else grabs it.

“She’s had enough.” It’s my father.

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