Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“So, are you ready to admit you kind of want to marry Isaac?”
I freeze. “What?”
“Don’t play dumb,” she says. “I see it.”
“See what exactly?”
“You blushed earlier when you were talking about him. You like him!”
I roll my eyes. “You’re way off-base,” I say. “He’s as insufferable as ever. That hasn’t changed.”
“Maybe you like insufferable,” she says thoughtfully. “Or maybe you’re just searching for a reason to hate him because your dad is forcing this, but secretly you have a huge lady-boner for Isaac.”
I press my lips together and say nothing at all, which only causes her to grin like the cat who ate the canary.
“I knew it,” she crows, victorious. “You so want him.”
I cross my arms. “So what? That doesn’t mean I like him.”
She shrugs. “That’s fair. I don’t like a lot of the guys I sleep with. But you’re stuck with him unless he decides otherwise. In sickness and in health, till death do you part. So what’s the plan?”
I hesitate. “I’ll keep pushing, finding ways to make this difficult. Annoying him didn’t work, but everyone has a line you shouldn’t cross. I’ll find his and cross it until he breaks.”
“And exactly how sure are you about this plan?” she asks, eyes narrowed.
“Not very,” I admit.
She cocks a brow, smirking. “Did something happen between you two?”
I shift on the cushion, suddenly cold. I’ve never told her about the night he slipped into my room and how intimate and intense it felt. I woke up ashamed for yielding to him, but now I see how effortless his presence is, and that’s far scarier than simple lust.
“Not that I’m aware of,” I lie, looking down at my hands.
She tsks. “You’re a terrible liar. And you’re blushing again.”
“Shut up, I am not!” I protest, sneaking a glance at the nearest full-length mirror.
“Like you said, Isaac has a button you can push, you just have to find it. Maybe you should use every tool at your disposal.”
She wiggles her brows, clearly plotting something extra-suggestive. Knowing Evie, she’s already scripting half a dozen psychological games to keep Isaac on his toes. The thought excites me, though I’d never confess it. To everyone else, the idea of sex with Isaac still repulses me.
That’s why he’ll never see it coming. It would blindside him and rattle his perfect composure. Maybe I really can win, whatever winning ends up looking like. I rise, a fresh spark burning in my chest.
Evie grins. “You have a dangerous look in your eyes.”
I return her grin, victorious. “I’m going to destroy him.”
“Better pick a dress first.”
I glance at the rows of gowns and sigh. “Fine. But if you make me wear tulle, I’m calling off the wedding myself.”
I’m two seconds from declaring the day a bust when my gaze snags on a dress hanging alone at the back of the rack. It’s no shade of white that has ever existed and had no frills, no beads, nothing remotely bridal. It’s wicked, and it’s perfect.
I smirk and start walking toward the rack.
“Katya…” Evie murmurs, scandal tinting her voice as she spots my target.
“I’m just looking,” I say, all faux innocence.
“Uh-huh.”
I reach the dress and trail my fingers over the silk. It feels decadent and dangerous, everything my father hates. Isaac definitely won’t expect it coming down the aisle. With any luck he’ll be horrified. Game on.
A saleswoman spots me and approaches, her polite smile barely masking confusion.
“Would you like to see something else in white, Miss Belova?”
“No,” I say, still staring at the dress. “I want this one.”
She blinks. “That one’s not from the bridal collection.”
“I gathered.”
“It’s meant for a black-tie gala.”
I turn to face her and smile sweetly. “Well then, good thing I’m about to host one.”
She frowns. “But your wedding—”
“This is the one I want.”
The poor woman has no idea how to respond. Her gaze darts between me and the dress, as though deciding whether to encourage me or call for backup.
Evie sidles up next to me, barely holding in her laugh. “You heard the bride. Ring it up.”
The woman hesitates, then nods. “Of course. Right this way.”
As we wander toward the counter, Evie whispers, “This is going to be so good.”
I fish Isaac’s black card from my purse and flick it like a victory flag.
The saleswoman launches into the checkout process, and I watch the numbers climb with smug satisfaction. Isaac said I had carte blanche, but he probably didn’t expect me to weaponize it this fast.
The card reader beeps. The instant I slide the card home, my phone rings.
I glance at the screen.
Papa.
Evie arches a brow. “Think he’s got cameras in here?” she asks, only half joking.
I answer, putting him on speaker. “Hi, Papa.”
“How’s everything going, sweetheart? Are you settling in all right? Is Isaac treating you well?”
I lock eyes with Evie, grinning wickedly. “Everything’s going great, Papa. Evie and I are picking out my wedding dress. I can’t wait for everyone to see me in it.”