Page 4 of Bound Bride
I've barely survived Mathew.
I can't go through that again.
I'm so caught up in dismantling what kind of man Konstantin Belyaev might be, considering he's a mafia king, that I don't register that the ceremony is all but over until Konstantin's other hand touches my waist.
I freeze and my eyes dart up to meet his.
His hand, after seemingly gaining permission from my look, slides around to my lower back and uses that hold to draw me in against his solid, warm body.
Chest to chest, my heart starts racing faster and faster until it's just a blur of vibration in my chest that I'm certain he can feel.
"It is with great pleasure that I now pronounce Konstantin Belyaev and Rose Chaika to be husband and wife!" booms the man in robes. "You may kiss the bride and bring Rose Belyaevna into your fold!"
Kiss the bride.
Fuck.
I forgot all about that. I've been so caught up in Mathew's threats, how I present myself, not raising suspicion and keeping myself calm that I forgot all about how Konstantin and I have to?—
My thoughts screech to an abrupt halt the moment Konstantin's mouth closes gently, yet firmly, over mine.
His lips are warm and dry, and they close over my own like they already know exactly how to slot together.
The arm around my waist tightens and draws me even closer to his body so I lift my hand and rest it on his chest.
His other hand remains tangled with mine, and his fingers flex once again.
Then they slip free and brush under my chin.
A hint of pressure is enough to make me tip my head back slightly, leading Konstantin to deepen the kiss as if he's trying to imprint himself on me.
Part of me wants to let him.
The crowd fades away to nothing.
My rabbit-running thoughts remain stalled and quiet.
My heart races, and for a few seconds, his heart seems to race just as fast under my palm.
Although that might be a trick of my imagination, because Konstanin pulls back almost immediately.
The cacophony of cheers, yells, and music surges back to me like the crash of waves.
He doesn't look nervous. In fact, his face looks as calm and impassive as it did when I was walking up the aisle, while he's left me with weak legs and aching lips from a single kiss.
Just one kiss.
Holy shit.
I blink slowly and a smile catches at the corner of my lips, but when I open my eyes, Konstantin is gone.
Coldness sweeps through me from the absence of space he's left beside me, and I glimpse him striding away down the aisle without looking back.
My heart sinks and Mathew's cold, hard gaze stands out from the cheering crowd like a fucking beacon, dragging me right back to reality.
The moment we lock eyes, he mouths his next words to me. I can almost hear his throaty voice in my ear.
"You know what you have to do next. And if you fail? Everyone dies."
