Page 71 of Dark Desires

“I’m fine. Thanks for these. You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” His eyes linger on mine, and the air between us thickens.

Just the sensation of those ice-blue eyes on me makes my pussy clench. It’s unfair how much this guy can turn me on with a single look.

“Seriously, what’s with the grand gesture?”

He smirks, stepping closer, his scent—a heady mix of cedarwood and sin—invading my space.

“Maybe I just wanted an excuse to see you.”

I glance down at the bouquet in my hands, the vibrant flowers suddenly feeling heavier than they should. Alexei’s standing there, impossibly close, his eyes locked on mine like he’s trying to read every thought I’ve ever had.

I want to kiss him so badly it hurts.

Hell, I want more than that. I want him to take me by the hips, to bend me over the nearest chair, and make me come again andagain. I lick my lips, feeling suddenly overwhelmed by the sexual tension between us.

He doesn’t say a word. It’s almost like he enjoys making me feel this way.

I clear my throat. “So, Steph couldn’t run out of here fast enough. That’s gotta feel good.”

He smirks, but there’s no humor in it. “Yeah, I noticed. Can’t say I blame her. I’m the last person she wants to marry.”

“Not going to lie and say you’re wrong. She’s been dreading this since day one. And the whole Omar thing…”

“Then why go through with it?” There’s an edge to his voice, frustration just barely kept in check. “If she doesn’t want it, and I don’t want it, then why the hell are we all pretending this is a good idea?”

I cross my arms, holding the bouquet against my chest.

“Come on, Alexei. You of all people know the answer to that. Family loyalty. Duty. All those things that get shoved down our throats from the moment we can walk. This marriage is about an alliance. Hell, it’s about preventing a war.”

Alexei chuckles bitterly. “And here I thought marriage was supposed to be a happy occasion.”

“For normal people, maybe. But for us? It’s just another business transaction. A merger with flowers and a cake.”

He sits on the arm of the wingback chair behind him. His blue eyes never leave mine. “You make it sound so romantic.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Now you’re sounding like me. And Steph, too. Aren’t you Ivanovs supposed to be the ones with ice water in your veins?”

“Not all the time. And two of my brothers and my sister married for love.”

“But you can’t,” I say matter-of-factly.

We fall into silence. His gaze softens, and for a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.

“You know,” he says, “I’m standing here with you, and all I can think about is how much better this would be if…” He trails off, his words hanging in the air.

“If what?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“If it was you.”

My breath catches, and the air between us crackles with tension. We’re close now—too close. His hand brushes mine, and I swear the room tilts.

“I guess both Stephania and I are getting the short end of the stick to protect our families, along with your father’s pride,” he scoffs.

“Alexei…” I start, but I don’t know what I’m about to say.

He leans in, his lips brushing mine in a fleeting kiss that’s over almost before it starts.