Page 73 of Cookie: Part One
It’s a breathtaking column of silk, ruby red, impossibly rich and soft, with a slit that climbs to my thigh and a back that plunges to expose every line of my spine. It’s the kind of dress that makes any bitch feel jealous and recite the infamous, “That bitch think she all that” whisper! But wearing this dress, there would be no need to be humble because this dress screams “And do!” in response.
“Damn!” I mutter, putting my fist to my mouth, whistling after looking at myself in the mirror and I’m not even all the way put together. “You a real one for this, friend. You really trying to have me outdoing the fiancé!”
“Please,” she scoffs, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “You could vear a potato sack and still outshine Veronica.” She rolls her eyes and I smirk, but says nothing as she steps back, clapping. “Da, look at your curves! It’s even got zhe dress fighting for its life!”
I wave her off and head to the glam chair where they start doing my hair, makeup and nails, but a question lingers in my head.
“What about you and Alik? Are you and Alik going to be in an arranged marriage as well?” I glance over to her and she goes still…completely still…
“Uhm…” she pauses. “Da,” she answers, and my heart squeezes.
“I see,” I murmur, feeling a bit down.Life will just go on normally for them. Marriage, children, and big family gatherings when I’m gone.“Well, this was fun while it lasted… Misha will move on to the next woman pissing Veronica off while Dimitri and Nadya will do whatever Misha says, so they willalsoplay with the new girls, and Alik… he…” I croak that the very thought of either of them touching anyone without my permission and I sit up, gagging.
“CONNIE!” Pyper runs over worried, and I shoo her away.
“I… I’m good,” I wheeze, feeling sick to my stomach at the thought.
“You don’t look good.” She frowns and I smile, playing it off with a shrug.
“Sorry… I think the thought of arranged marriages made me sick to my stomach,” I lie.
“Connie, I knov you don’t understand our customs and it must be strange… vee vould like ze freedom to marry freely, but…” she trails off and I can tell she’s thinking about my brother. “Butzhis is about more zhan love. Love von’t keep our family lega—” Before she can finish, there’s a knock at the door.
“Miss Pyper, Miss Constance,” a voice calls. “Ze cars are ready.” She stands, looking me over with a nod, satisfied.
“Guess it’s time.”
She grabs her clutch and sways out of the room, leaving me staring at my own reflection… like maybe it knows something I don’t.
As we make our way to the foyer, even before I get to him, I can feel the air thicken when I see Misha standing there. His predatory gaze takes me hungrily as he saunters over before standing in front of me.
“H-hi…” I stammer and wave, but he doesn’t return my greeting. Instead, he crosses the distance between us in two long strides, catching me by the waist.
“You look so fucking beautiful,Pechenye,” he murmurs, his voice rough and deep, the Russian inflection thick with lust and his eyes full ofraw, focused hunger that makes my knees weak.
“Th-thank you,” I choke, the words catching in my throat, pussy clenching.Fuck, just being looked at by him always steals my breath away.“Y-you do-don’t look half bad yourself,” I lay out the corniest line in history, but seeing him chuckle and take my hand to kiss it is worth it.
“Spasibo, Pechenye(Thank you, Cookie.)”He looks me in the eye and I feel like I’ll be swallowed whole, but I snap out of it, fanning my face.
“Y-you’re welcome,” I groan inwardly then look around for the others. “Where are Nadya, Dimitri, and Alik?” I ask.
“Oh…” Pyper speaks up. “Zhey left already.” She gives me a thin-lipped smile.
“Aww, I wanted to see what they looked like, but I guess I can look at it as a surprise.” I grin and Misha cuts his eyes at Pyper before he blows out a breath.
“Come, Pechenye. Guess it’s time to be surprised zhen.” He doesn’t waste time with words. He simply guides me forward, his grip tight and reassuring. We move together toward the grand staircase, heading for the front entrance, but as we head off, Pyper steps in front of us and glares at Mikhail.
“Do NOT mess up ze dress and hair!” She grits and I can feel my cheeks getting hot with her basically telling us not to fuck on the way there. “Seriously, if I see so much as a vrinkle, ve’re fighting!” She glares.
“Since vhen have I ever listened to you?” He cocks his head to the side, basically letting her know he gives no fucks about her warnings and is about to beat my back in when we get in the car.
“Misha!” she groans, facing him.
“Da?” He looks down at her clueless and she takes my arm.
“You know vhat? On second zhought, Connie vill ride in car vit me until we get close to ze venue.”
“Nyet.” Misha shakes his head, grabbing my arm and pulling me over to his side.
