Page 62 of The Pakhan's Sold Bride

“Allow?” I say, losing the battle with my willpower to keep this civil.

A murmur rustles through the crowd, and when I pull my eyes off Miron, I see everyone looking in the same direction, and I follow their gaze.

My heart leaps into my throat as I stare at Ulyana and Lara, arriving together and looking like they are about to steal the entire show.

Suddenly no one gives a shit about the petty spat between Miron and me. Even I’ve been swiped into forgetting.

Lara looks so incredible, dressed to kill, wearing a tight, body-hugging short dress embellished with glittering stones, patterned to accentuate every curve of perfection on her body.

She glimmers as she moves, smiling confidently, greeting the people I do business with, her chin raised high and her attitude in full swing.

I’ve never seen her looking so in control, and with a dark chuckle, I realize that Ulyana has coached her on how to behave at these types of events. And she’s nailing it.

Every single man in the room is staring at the two of them as though they might have a chance. My smile shifts from surprise to pride.

That’s my wife.

She turns, and her back is towards me as she greets another business partner. The dress has been designed in such a way that the back is completely open, dipping low, elegant enough to hide what needs to be kept for my eyes only, but feisty enough to show the world what they’re missing out on.

My mind is spinning as I watch her make her way around the room, slowly coming towards me.

I’ve been paying attention to people’s reactions to her—not a single one of them could hide their instant attraction. Menare to her beauty, allured and enticed, and women, also to her beauty, jealous perhaps, as they cling tighter to their husbands.

She’s close to me now, greeting another of my colleagues, and I hear her elegant laughter and parts of the conversation. “My husband, Nestor…” She turns towards me and lifts her hand to wave. I can’t even try to hide the smile that stretches across my cheeks.

“My love, I thought you weren’t coming tonight?” I say, stepping to her side, showing everyone that she belongs to me.

She immediately stands against me with her hand on my chest as she rises on her tiptoes to kiss me. “I missed you too much,” she smiles.

My heart flips over, and I swallow hard, trying to control my body’s instant reaction to her.

Her eyes, bright blue and full of confidence, her gestures, elegant and beautiful, and those lips, full, plump, and begging me to kiss them with more force.

I cup my hand beneath her jaw and tilt her head higher, locking my eyes with hers. People around are watching us, curious to see me with a woman, never mind one as perfect as Lara.

“You are intoxicating, Lara.”

“Do you like my dress? I bought it just for you,” she whispers.

I brush my hand over her naked spine, then across her ass.

Leaning close to her ear, I whisper my response. “It was a dangerous choice, I don’t know how you expect me to behave while you’re wearing this.”

She bites her bottom lip, mischief glittering in her eyes.

“I don’t want you to behave,” she replies, sending my thoughts spiraling.

“Nestor, is this your beautiful wife?” A business partner interrupts my thoughts and forces me to drag my eyes off Lara to reply to him.

“This is Lara. Lara, this is Yuli Parov, one of my very close friends.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Yuli,” she says, the perfect princess, shaking his hand, but staying right at my side.

“Can I get you two a drink? I’m just on my way to the bar,” he says, his eyes still roaming over Lara.

“Actually, I was just about to take a minute to sort something out before the auction starts. We will join you for a drink in a little while.”

He nods. “Of course, of course. Come find me when you have a moment.”

---