Page 73 of Deceptive Vows
I just wasn’t sure anymore if that was the only reason.
For the rehearsal dinner,I chose a lacy, black capped-sleeve dress that was a littleshorter than I normally wore. I had no real plans for it when I picked it out, other than I knew it would drive Nazar wild, and at the time, my prime goal was doing exactly that. The more the better, actually.
I grabbed my silver clutch and walked out of my bedroom, pausing as he came into view, framed by the windows, seemingly deep in thought as he stared out. Even from the back, he was divine. His black suit coat stretched across his broad shoulders, and a crisp, white collar was barely visible.
“Deep in thought?” I asked.
The way his lips lifted in one corner as he turned and our eyes locked did things to me no man ever had. He sucked in a breath, his gaze breaking from mine to travel over me, head to toe. “Velikolepnyy.”
“I’m assuming that means I look okay?”
“It means magnificent, mytyomnyy angel.And youarein every sense of the word.” He strode toward me. His hand snaked around my waist and pulled me flush against him. “I missed you today.”
“You told me.”
“With words.” His lips covered mine, and what little space was between us disappeared as I melted into him.
I’d missed him. Every inch of me had missed every inch of him. Now that I was in his arms, I didn’t want to leave.
He pulled his lips from mine, leaving a warm trail with his tongue as he paused to press light kisses every inch or so.
As much as I wished to drown in him, I could feel time slipping away. “We’re going to be late.” I tilted my head to give him access to my neck. “And I think my lipstick is ruined.”
Our breath mingled as he leveled his eyes with mine. “You’re lucky I’m not ruining your dress.” Instead of crushing his lips against mine again like I thought he would, he ran his nose along my jaw. “When we return home…”
I ran my hands up his back. “I’m staying with Anna, Claire, and Aunt Helen at the Waldorf Astoria tonight. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding…”
He lifted his gaze to mine, his brows knitted together. “Silly tradition. How am I supposed to kiss you if you’re not here?”
A chuckle popped out. “Well, I guess you’ll have to save your kisses until after the ceremony.”
A low growl vibrated in histhroat. His lips pressed into a thin line. “You’ll owe me double.” Frustration laced his words.
“You’re so much fun.” I grinned. “We need to go.” I reluctantly stepped away. “Lucas will send out a search party if we’re late.”
Nazar nodded, and with obvious reluctance, took a step back. “True, and I suspect Aunt Helen would send dogs with them.” He laughed.
As we headed for the door, Nazar caught my hand, stopping me. “Thea.”
I turned back, raising an eyebrow.
“Tomorrow, when I say my vows,” his voice turned low and serious, “know that I will mean every word.”
My heart stuttered in my chest. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. I wasn’t supposed to be feeling this. And yet, as I squeezed his hand before letting go, I knew that when my time came to speak those same vows, I might just mean them too.
Chapter Twenty-Six
THEA
Dawn crept quietlyinto the Waldorf Astoria suite, pale winter light slipping through a gap in the heavy curtains. I’d been awake for hours, perched on the window seat, watching Chicago slowly emerge from the darkness. Sleep had been elusive, my mind too full of tomorrow’s dangers to find rest. My wedding day—a phrase I never thought would apply to me, yet here it was.
The ivory silk dress hung from the wardrobe door across the room, its presence both alluring and unsettling. In a few hours, I would wear it tomarry a man I’d known only weeks—a man who had somehow found his way past defenses I’d spent decades building.
From my vantage point, I could see the city I knew so intimately stretching toward Lake Michigan. Nazar was likely awake too, perhaps staring out at the same skyline, thinking of me. Maybe a little too confident to assume, but it was there nonetheless. Even if I were wrong, the thought sent an unexpected warmth through my chest.
“You’re up early.”
Aunt Helen’s voice startled me from my reverie. She stood in the doorway connecting our rooms, already dressed in a silk robe, her silver hair loose around her shoulders.
