Page 4 of The Viper

But as the moments melt into one long ceremony, he doesn’t. My heart hurts for my sister, because for some reason, she believes she has to go through with this.

I drop my gaze to look at the floor as the ceremony nears its conclusion. Someone clears their throat and I look up to catch Dominic watching me. He offers me a small smile with a slight nod. It’s almost like he knows they shouldn’t be getting married too.

Wait, is Dominic as opposed to this wedding as I am?

Whatever. All I know is I’m going to be there for my sister, and if she tells me she wants out, then I’ll move heaven and hell to make that work.

Chapter one

Dominic

Rose is nothing short of stunning. I can’t seem to drag my eyes away from her. I push up from the chair and walk over to her. “What?” she groans as she looks at my extended hand.

“May I have this dance?”

She looks out to the dance floor where my brother and new sister-in-law are dancing along with a number of other people. “I’m not in the mood to dance.”

“It’s a wedding, it’s almost a rite of passage. You can’t not dance at a wedding. Especially your sister’s.” She runs her tongue over her teeth while staring at me with a cold, hard expression. “We have to dance considering you’re the maid of honor and I’m the best man.”

“Find someone else to dance with,” she says with frosty coldness in her voice. I drop my hand and pull my shoulders back while looking around the room checking on my family. I see a couple of the guys catch our interaction and I grind my teeth with irritation at them. I walk around the table and sit beside Rose. “What are you doing?” She looks at me and leans back.

I grab the seat of her chair and pull her toward me. “Whatever your problem is, get over it. We’re going to dance. Now.”

Rose arches a brow and leans her elbow on the table. The deep V of the front of her dress gapes open showing me a hint of her breast. I can move it over and have the perfect view of her nipple. I close my eyes and slightly shake my head, attempting to sear the memory of her into my brain forever. I open my eyes and instantly regret that I’ve ogled her the way I have. Rose Hopkins isn’t a woman you gawk at. She’s a woman you put on a pedestal and worship for hours, days, weeks...an eternity. But, she’s also a woman who doesn’t belong in our world. I shouldn’t want her... But.

“Do you make it a habit of objectifying women?”

“What? Of course not.”

“Then stop staring at my tits.”

Jesus. “The dress is beautiful.” I lift my hand and indicate to the server to bring me another scotch. “We’re going to dance.”

“No, sorry, we’re not,” she challenges. The waiter arrives with a glass of scotch and places it on the table in front of me. I shoo him away with a flick of my hand. “Are you kidding me?”

“What?”

“Do you even know how to say thank you?”

I lift the glass and throw the drink back in one movement. “What are you talking about?”

“And this is why I’m not going to dance with you.”

I’m truly lost. I grab her by the wrist and stand. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And, we’re dancing.”

“No, we’re not.” She stubbornly pulls back.

“Do you really want to make a scene at your sister’s wedding?” Rose looks over at Eliza, who’s carefully watching us. “I doubt Eliza wants to see her little sister acting like a spoiled brat.”

“Fuck you,” she spits, though she softens and allows me to lead her to the dance floor. We get to the dance floor and I pull her into me. “Back up, Romeo. You’re not romancing me, buddy.” The song slows and I pull her into me tighter. I place my hand to her lower back, enough that my pinkie can scrape across the top of her ass. “Move your hand.”

I smirk at her, and just for that I move her closer to me. Our bodies are pushed together, and I’m sure she can feel what she’s doing to my body. “You don’t even know me, and you’re already angry. Why?”

Rose scoffs and shakes her head. “You’re kidding me, right?” I lift my shoulders slowly while moving us around the dance floor. “You have no idea? Really?”

“What is it?”

“Your brother is a fucking jerk.”

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