Page 17 of The Pakhan's Kidnapped Bride
Katya shakes her head. As I walk into the store, I hear her saying, “Blue instead. It makes your skin glow.”
My eyes are on Anya. Her smile is radiant, lighting her entire face. I realize it’s the first time I’ve seen her smiling since we were unexpectedly and forcefully reunited.
“Are you girls having fun?” I ask, my tone darker than I intend it to be. I adjust my expression, unknitting my brows to try and hide the anger simmering in my chest.
The three of them spin towards me, each with a different expression.
Kira looks pleasantly surprised. She rushes forward to hug me.
Katya rolls her eyes. “You’re a bit late,” she huffs, then hugs me as well.
Anya looks shocked and frozen in place, but quickly hides it with a smile and a shy, “Hello.”
Both girls look towards her, then at me. Kira giggles and mutters, “Friends.” Anya’s cheeks flush pink.
My heart beats a little faster.
“Are you done shopping? I can give you a lift home.”
“Yes, my feet hurt,” Katya says, nodding.
“I’m just going to pay for this. I’ll meet you guys out front.” Kira hurries off, carrying the dress.
I’m doing my best not to glare at Anya. I don’t want my cousins to sense anything off between us. I don’t want questions. I have no idea what she’s told them either.
All through the mall and as we climb into the car, Katya and Kira are chatting non-stop, but not to me; they’re talking to Anya as though they’re all long-lost friends who have known each other their entire lives.
Anya is laughing, often and freely. She’s sitting in the passenger seat, right next to me. I remember when I used to reach out and brush my hand over her leg when we drove around together.
The sound of her laughter hurts my heart.
It reminds me of everything I lost.
And the worst possible scenario—she’s wearing her perfume. I caught a breeze of it in the mall, light, a tease. But now it’s all I can focus on. The feminine, beautiful scent that aroused me so many nights, through so many embraces. So many times I buried my face into the curve of her neck.
I can’t even escape the enticing smell of her when she’s right next to me in the car.
It only adds to my anger, making me angry atmyselfon top of everything else. Why the hell did I buy it for her? I knew it would only antagonize me.
I chat, making small talk, being pleasant with the girls, all while keeping my eyes off Anya. The anger is simmering, held just below the surface, hidden.
We get to Kira and Katya’s hotel, and they tumble from the car, but before leaving, they both lean in through the passenger window to hug Anya.
I can’t get over how quickly they became friends. How quickly they came to adore her.
Katya leans over Anya and punches my shoulder playfully. “Invite us for dinner. We like hanging out with your friend.” She winks at me.
“I’ll make plans,” I say, smiling warmly, keeping up the act.
The girls walk away, and I wait until they are both safely inside the hotel before I pull back out into the road and head towards the mansion.
As the city rushes past us, I don’t speak to Anya because my temper is not under control. I know the moment I open my mouth, it’s going to turn nasty.
Instead, I grip the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turn white. I’m not driving like a maniac anymore; there is no urgency since she’s right here next to me.
And I don’t know if I want to get home.
Once I get home, I’ll have to deal with her rebellion.
