Page 10 of Sinful Union

The song continues, and I head to the bar to refill my drink, taking the opportunity to watch them a little longer. She and Vlad are engaged in what looks like a lighthearted conversation, but I know better. The way Kat’s eyes keep flicking around, she’s searching for me in the crowd.It’s obvious that I’m the topic of conversation, but what exactly is the context?

“Another of the same, Mr. Fetisov?” the bartender asks, an eyebrow arched in anticipation.

“Yes, please.”

He refills my glass, and the song ends. Vlad and Kat continue to talk and dance, and it’s becoming clearer by the second that the subject isn’t mere congratulations and well-wishes.Then, Piotr emerges from the crowd. He heads toward them with purpose, he and his brother exchanging a few words. Vlad places Kat’s hand in Piotr’s, then walks away.

The bartender hands me my drink. I’m ready to join my wife. A little networking is expected at such an event, but after a while, it would look strange for the groom not to be with his bride at their wedding reception. I take a long sip, then set my glass on the bar before moving toward them.

Kat’s eyes meet mine as I approach. Her spine stiffens as her fingers grip Piotr’s shoulder. She recovers quickly, but her reaction to my presence is undeniable.

“May I have the next dance?” I ask. “And, if I haven’t told you yet, you look like something out of a dream.”

Her cheeks redden at the compliment. She looks away for a moment before turning those smokey eyes back to mine. She tilts her chin up. Clearly, she doesn’t want me to see how much I affect her.

“Thank you.”

I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me. Her breath catches, and it’s the most satisfying sound I’ve heard all night. I lower my head slightly, inhaling the faint scent of her perfume—something sweet and familiar—and utterly intoxicating.

“Was the wedding to your liking?” I ask, my lips close to her ear. I can feel her body shiver.

She hesitates before answering. “It was lovely.”

“Lovely.” I chuckle, moving us into a slow, controlled rhythm. “I would have liked your input, but everything was so hastily arranged.”

She lifts her eyes to mine, something guarded in her expression. “I’m sure it would have turned out the same, regardless.”

There’s that smile again—polite, distant. I fucking hate it.

I tighten my hold on her waist just slightly, just enough for her to feel the full press of my body against hers. “You weren’t this shy when we were younger.”

Her eyes flash. There she is.

“I’ve changed in the last six years,” she says, her voice sharp, cool.

I smirk, lowering my head just a fraction. “In that case, I look forward to getting to know you again.”

Her pupils dilate as she swallows hard. She’s speechless. But then, she quickly recovers, her lips curling upward as she lifts an eyebrow. “How fortunate for me.”

I bark out a laugh, a real one, throwing my head back as it rumbles from my chest.

“You know, no one has ever made me laugh like you do.”

She blinks, then scoffs like she doesn’t believe me. “That’s ridiculous.”

I shake my head. “No, it isn’t.” My fingers caress the small of her back, keeping her close. “I look forward to a lot more laughter with you, Kat.”

Uncertainty, or perhaps confusion, clouds her expression for a moment. It’s barely there, but I catch it. It’s as if she doesn’t know what to do. “We were something special once,” I remind her. “We can be again.”

Her breath hitches before I kiss her.

It’s meant to be light, just a brief brush of lips, but the second we connect, that all changes. Her mouth parts slightly, just enough for me to deepen the kiss. She doesn’t pull away. My grip tightens on her waist, and fuck, she’s so soft and warm. Every inch of her fits against me, like we were made for each other, like she was made for me.

And for just a moment, I allow myself to believe she was.

Chapter 5

Kat

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