Page 96 of Love to Defy You
“For your information, this is only my second glass.” I move my hand to tap my glass, but instead, I nearly knock it over, and red wine spills onto the white linen tablecloth. “Ah, fuck.”
“I’ve got it.” Enzo unfolds the napkin at his place setting and pats the stain. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”
“No.” I take a sip from my glass, but I spilled so much that it’s almost empty. “Okay, fine. I took a few pills.”
Enzo glances at me, then back at the stain. “I see.” He gives up and folds his napkin into a square before setting it back on his charger plate. “Sounds like I have some catching up to do.”
I feign a scoff. “Yeah, Enzo. Get on my level.”
His dark eyes sparkle with humor as he raises his whiskey tumbler to his lips. “Is that a challenge?” He knocks back the entire contents of his glass in one gulp.
“Enzo! Enzo!” I chant, clapping with each repetition. This earns me a few curious glances from the other guests, but I don’t give a shit about them. They’re either ambassadors, consulate employees, or part of Galina’s extended family. I’ll never see these people again.
Enzo sets his glass down on the table with a contented sigh.
I lean closer to him and lower my voice. “See that old guy over there?” I jut my chin at a nearby table. “That’s the Canadian ambassador to Andarusia. He hit on me when I was seventeen.”
Enzo glances in his direction. “So now I have to compete with Aleksandrandthe Canadian ambassador for your affection?”
When he turns back to me, our noses almost touch, and I grow still when his eyes drop to my lips. “Just the Canadianambassador now.” My voice is breathless. “Isn’t he a silver fox? I think I’ll call him daddy.”
Enzo doesn’t laugh at my joke. “What happened to Aleksandr? Did you two break up?”
His delicious cologne distracts me when we’re this close, and it’s making it hard to think straight, so I lean back to put some distance between us. “Well, to break up with someone, you have to inform them of said breakup.” I knock back the last dregs of wine from my glass and set it down harder than necessary. “Let’s do shots.”
I start to stand, but Enzo puts his hand on my knee and pushes me back down onto the chair. “You’re deflecting.”
“It’s a party, Enzo. You don’t have to take shots with me, but don’t get in my way.”
I try to stand up again, but this time, he grabs my wrist and yanks me down onto his lap.
“Enzo!” I hiss, glancing around to see if anyone’s watching. “Let me go.”
He wraps his arm around my waist. “Is that why you’re taking pills? Because Aleksandr broke up with you?” I struggle in his lap, but his hold is tight. “Don’t grind your ass on my cock unless you intend to do something about it.”
With a huff, I stop struggling and slump my shoulders. “Alek didn’t break up with me. He left me on read and ghosted me.”
“Oh.” His mischievous grin fades. “I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t want to talk about him tonight.” I glance at the engagement ring on my finger, which seems to get heavier with each day I don’t hear from him. “I just want to get drunk and forget about him for one goddamn night. Is that too much to ask?”
He caresses his thumb against my hip. “Let me help you forget him.”
As I stare into his dark gaze, I raise my hand to trace his chiseled jawline, then skim his bottom lip, which parts at my touch. I drag my fingers down to his chest, over the hard lines of muscle, and rest my hand there.
He runs his tongue across his lips. Leaning closer, Enzo murmurs my name, and I sit frozen on his lap.
Enzo is about to kiss me.
Enzo is about to kiss me, and I’m not sure if I want him to or not. My judgment isn’t exactly at peak performance in this haze of pills and alcohol.
If I want to piss off Alek, kissing his enemy would get the job done. I can’t think of a better way to get back at him, and Enzo’s already offered to let me use him to get into Alek’s head.
But before I can make up my mind, the music stops, and the DJ taps the microphone to test it. It rings out through the speakers, startling me, and I hastily untangle myself from Enzo’s lap.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” the DJ announces in English. “Introducing for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. David Baker.”
I glance at the gravel driveway, where a white limousine is parked. My dad emerges first from the back seat, then extends his hand to help Galina out. Her dress is simple but flattering for her petite figure, and her hips sway as they walk arm in arm toward the party.
