Page 10 of Influence

Beneath our polite exchanges and heated glances, I carried my own secrets. With a firm chin lift and a determined set of my shoulders, I silently vowed to remember that essential truth. No matter Nikolas’s reasons for this marriage, I stood to gain the most from this union.

I could wait for him to share his secrets when he felt ready. I had no doubt he had considered the pros and cons of partnering with a Vitalis, and the benefits had outweighed any doubts he might have had.

Noticing his distraction during my discussion with Vik and Avra, I became convinced he had the necessary answers, and I was determined to uncover them all.

“I’ll find out what’s going on,” I told myself, leaving Avra and Vik behind as I walked confidently toward Nikolas and Elias.

My determined stride was interrupted when Soti entered the room.

“Dinner is ready,” he announced in his distinctly cultured accent.

This added an unexpected air of formality to the statement, enhancing its charm, even though it meant that my search for answers would need to be paused for now.

We entered a magnificent dining room reminiscent of those in ancient castles. A long, elegant table stretched before us, adorned with sparkling place settings. At the center, bowls overflowed with fresh fruit and fragrant flowers, leaving me in awe.

The elegance astounded me. Only yesterday, I’d been lounging in my living room, watching carefree rom coms while nibbling lukewarm spanakopita. The prospect of luxury like this felt both surreal and overwhelming.

We gathered around the elegant table, and I felt a tingling heat radiate through my skin as Nikolas settled beside me. His proximity stirred something deep within me, igniting a subtle spark of desire. The warmth of his presence sent a shiver down my spine, leaving me both excited and slightly uneasy.

I took a deep breath and reached for the glass of ice water before me. I drank it while maintaining a graceful demeanor, though I doubted I could achieve this.

A small drop of water then fell onto my chest.

Fabulous.

I averted my gaze in embarrassment, attempting to hide the mishap while silently wishing that no one else had seen. My hopes faded when Nikolas’s teasing smirk caught my eye.

Avra had persuaded me to wear a low-cut dress, and now my exposed cleavage silently confirmed her choice. Nikolas’s gaze fixated on a small, glistening bead of water clinging happily to my bare skin. Embarrassed, I quickly brushed it away, only to see Nikolas raise his eyes toward me and send a wink in my direction.

Despite being a Vitalis, I remembered how my early years were spent in surroundings far more modest than the royal wealth associated with our family name.

Our life in Prague revolved around simplicity rather than luxury. Vik raised us without the extravagant comforts typically associated with our status. He prioritized our safety over indulgence. This modest upbringing fostered an appreciation for simplicity, which sharply contrasts with the opulence surrounding me now.

The present setting, filled with aristocratic splendor, felt alien and somewhat disconcerting. I had always sought refuge in more casual environments, making the prospect of one day managing such extravagance both thrilling and daunting.

How could I convince Nikolas I was ready for a role I’d never prepared for? My lack of experience was an obvious and daunting truth.

Yet, as I took another deep, steadying breath, the way Nikolas made me feel pulsed like an electric current. Every quiver deep within my being, sparked by the charm of his wink, sent a rush of arousal and excitement cascading over me, an intoxicating sensation unlike anything I had ever experienced. Until that moment, my interactions with the opposite sex had been sparse and tentative, making this entirely new and exhilarating chemistry almost overwhelming.

I found everything lively and thrilling, and I realized Nikolas had considerable experience with women.

Questions flooded my mind. How would he react when he discovered that I had never experienced anything in the realm of sex?

I wasn’t naïve. I understood that addressing my husband’s physical needs was essential to our marriage. I believed men had desires that needed to be satisfied, even as I was still learning to fulfill those needs gradually.

Pleasing a man like Nikolas felt intimidating. I wondered if he possessed the patience to guide me through this unfamiliar territory.

What kind of lover was he truly?

Would his touch be gentle and understanding, or would his desire manifest as an unyielding assertion of will?

Oh my God, I was driving myself crazy with these thoughts.

Maybe I should ask Avra for advice on this?

Ummm, perhaps not. I was embarrassed enough about how clueless I felt about this whole subject.

Amid the subdued hum of conversation and the distant clink of cutlery, my thoughts wandered into forbidden territory. A dark, sensual image unfolded: an illicit night spent entwinedwith Nikolas, where hunger, passion, and desire eclipsed every polite word. I surveyed the room with intense awareness, convinced that each person present felt the pull of this secret fantasy emerging from within.

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