Page 43

I can feel it.

His skin is tanned and there's a new stubble that wasn't there before. In all our time together, I'd never seen Vlad as anything but clean shaven.

The change is not only skin deep though. More than anything, there's something different about his energy.

Something warmer… something…

Stop!

I'm doing this again. Trying to understand him where there's absolutely nothing to understand. My lip curls up in disgust at my own self and my reaction to him, and I shove my hands forward, pushing him off of me.

"Damn, hell girl. Is that how you greet your future husband?" he drawls, his voice still holding that alluring quality that always seemed to make me its captive.

I swallow, my own body betraying me as goosebumps form all over my skin.

"What did you just say?" I frown, taking a step back and putting some distance between us.

"Good on you to wake up," he says, his eyes looking up and down my body in a strange manner. "The minister is waiting."

He doesn't even let me reply as he wraps his fingers around my wrist, tugging me toward him and all but dragging me toward the entrance of the house.

My eyes widen as I realize where we are. Or rather, as I repeatedly blink, sure this must be a dream.

"You didn't…" I whisper as I take in the front of the house, once again proving my suspicions that hedid.

"You brought me to New Orleans?" I ask in shock, staring at the most beautiful house I've seen in my life. I should know, since I've been stalking its social media page for a long time, simply mesmerized by the history and the architecture.

I should have realized thathewouldmonitor my social media.

Damn!

"And your future home for the foreseeable future," he says, his fingers digging into my flesh as he leads me up the three steps in front of the entrance, only stopping when we reach the great hall where a man in a suit is waiting in front of an open book.

"Mr. Kuznetsov," he smiles, his eyes moving to me, "and the future Mrs. Kuznetsov I presume?" he asks.

"Kuznetsova, but yes. Now, why don't we get this done fast. I'm in a hurry," Vlad comments, his entire body tense.

I'm so shocked by the turn of events that I find my reaction delayed as I step back, wrenching my hand free from his grasp.

"What the hell is this, Vlad?" I turn my blazing eyes on to him. I can't believe the stunt he's pulled, especially since he's made it clear that he had no use of me before.

So what changed now?

"Sisi, keep your voice down." He comes closer to me, his scent inundating my senses. "You will agree to everything the officiant says, and you will sign your name on that piece of paper."

"You're crazy." That’s all I can utter as I take in his features, the way his lip curls up slightly in an arrogant smirk, or the way his longer than usual hair falls on his forehead, making him look both younger and more dangerous at the same time.

"I'll do no such thing," I hiss at him, taking yet another step back.

He doesn't seem to understand that I don't want to be anywhere near him as he moves me into the wall, caging me.

"You will." He leans down, his breath brushing against my earlobe in a slow and sensuous caress. "Youwillsay yes. You will smile and then you will sign your damned name on that piece of paper, or your God help me, you won't like what I'll do."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I frown, his sudden outburst sending chills down my spine.

His hand comes up to cup my jaw, turning me so I'm looking into his eyes.

"Don't try my hand, Sisi. Not this time. I'm two seconds away from blowing up, and there will be a lot of bodies if you don't do what I say." He grits his teeth, his eyes unyielding as his fingers tighten over my flesh.