Page 60 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

I watch his chest rise and fall.

And I think about how much I judged him when I first met him. How I thought he was just a playboy, shallow and full of himself—and how the more I get to know him, the more I see he isn’t any of those things at all.

The Benedikt that I’m on vacation with now—he’s a beautiful, deep, kind person. It’s another layer of him that I find incredibly attractive.

Chapter 17 - Benedikt

Our trip shifted things between us in better ways than I could have imagined. I’m so glad I forced her to go with me, even when she seemed reluctant.

My goal was to get her away from the danger that Miron presented, but it was also to try and break down the walls that were rising between us.

And it worked.

We’re closer now than ever before.

She’s at the breakfast table, still reading her book, when I come to join her.

“That one must be good. You haven’t been able to set it down since last night.”

“I know, I can’t wait to find out what happens to Blake and Alora. He’s gone missing and she’s searching for him,” she says in a huff.

I grin, tilting my head to the side. “You’ll love the ending.”

“You’ve read this one?” she asks in shock, setting the book down next to herself.

“I have, more than once.”

She giggles and shakes her head. “But it’s a romance. Why would you read it?”

“Don’t be so presumptuous in thinking a man like me wouldn’t enjoy a good love story.” I wink at her.

Her cheeks brighten as her smile widens.

“Mm. A secret romantic,” she teases.

“Maybe it’s not so secret after all.”

I dish up some scrambled eggs and bacon for her, then butter two pieces of toast. She chats happily, taking small bites and swinging her legs beneath the table.

“My dress arrived,” she exclaims suddenly. “It’s so gorgeous, thank you.”

“I thought the bright color would look lovely on you. We’ll go through around eight tonight. The limo is booked to take us there.”

She nods. “It’ll be fun.”

I’ve never particularly thought of gala events as fun, but somehow the idea of going with her now does seem fun, and I’m looking forward to it.

***

It’s dark when we arrive at the gala. The hall is elegantly set up with soft lighting, hundreds of tiny fairy lights above our heads and a giant crystal chandelier adds extravagance.

It’s another charity event, surrounded by allies and rivals, with everyone on their best behavior in the strictly neutral territory of the event.

Ulyana is at my side, with her head resting on my shoulder and my arm wrapped around her waist.

She is wearing a gorgeous, long glittering pink dress with a low-cut neckline and thin, elegant shoulder straps. She looks as beautiful as ever, and I can barely take my eyes off her as we wander around the event, saying hello to my business partners and mingling together.

She hasn’t left my side, and in stark comparison to the first event we attended together, this one doesn’t feel like we’refaking our closeness for the benefit of everyone around us. It feels genuine.