Bogdan studies me like there’ll be an exam on me later. “Well, I see why the rush. You are quite tempting.”
“Thank you.” He’s creeping me out, but I know it’s a power play between him and Draven, and I don’t want to ruin it by kicking him in the balls or something.
“Allison, this is Bogdan Vladimiri, king of the Vladimiri Clan, feared by millions,” Draven says, like the last part was meant as a joke, but Bogdan doesn’t laugh.
“Allison, there you are,” Stefania says, butting in as she leans in for a hug, and the moment she does, the tension-filled air surrounding Bogdan and Draven evaporates. “We need some girl time, gentlemen. Excuse us.” She leads me away from the group.
“Thank you for that,” I whisper so only she can hear.
“Let’s get you a cocktail.” Stefania winks. “Get you ready for your wedding night.”
My eyes widen at her implication that there’ll be anything happening besides sleeping, but I don’t reveal Draven promised he’ll never go there with me. “Let’s do it,” I say instead.
We weave through the crowd to the horse-shoe shaped bar near the dance floor, and she orders two glasses of champagne from the bartender.
“Now, don’t be afraid if he’s too powerful for you,” Stefania says while we wait for our drinks. “Your first time can be overwhelming.”
I don’t want to tell her I’m not a virgin. Sure, I may have little experience, but I do have some. Thanks to an old boyfriend in high school, and a guy in college. “It’s ok.”
The bartender hands us our flutes of bubbly, and I take a gulp of the chilly liquid.
“Draven’s a gentleman, so I doubt he’ll unleash his sexual prowess on you,” she says, and now it just went from awkward to highly uncomfortable listening to her discuss my sex life, or my pretend one.
“It’s fine. We really don’t need to talk about this,” I say.
“After the kiss you two shared, I’m sure you’ll be just fine,” Stefania says.
“Are you done with girl time?” Draven says, appearing beside me.
I stiffen, and slowly glance over at him. My face heats at the look of amusement he’s wearing.
“Yes,” Stefania says. “I’m sure you’re dying to get your hands on your bride.”
“Obviously,” he says with a smug expression. “We should dance together.” He places his hand on the small of my back, where he’s grown accustomed to touching me, and leads me onto the dance floor.
All eyes are on us as he signals the orchestra, and they play a slow tune for our first dance as man and wife. Draven wraps me into his arms and moves me across the dance floor.
The music is a cover of an older song. A song that’s usually faster, but this version has slowed way down. I love it as I listen to the lyrics about lovers coming together under the light of the moon.
“Your dancing is perfect,” I tell Draven.
His eyes meet mine, and he slows down to where we’re barely moving.
“You’re perfect.”
I blush. “You’re just saying that to soften me up.”
His thumb brushes against my lower back, searing me through the delicate material of my dress. “Why would I need to soften you up?”
“You know, because you’re going to put me to work as your wife once we get to your castle.”
“Put you to work, how?”
“Like Cinderella.”
Draven raises a brow. “We have maids, butlers, and chefs. You won’t have to lift a finger if you don’t want to.”
“Really?” I ask, never in my life having lived in such luxury.