AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mother,” Roman De Luca approaches our rapidly growing circle. “Are you threatening other guests already? The night is young.”
Mrs. De Luca beams up at her son. “Oh good, you’re here. I only make the threats, darling, I expect you to fulfill them.”
Dimitri seems completely caught off guard by the De Lucas and I can’t blame him. Sometimes it’s impossible to tell if they’re being serious or not. Then there’s the plain aggression they hide behind their social graces. Like how Roman is shaking Dimitri’s hand, trying to crush it by the look of that grip.
Inwardly, I roll my eyes.
“Arianna!” Sophia appears from behind her husband and we embrace. She holds my shoulders, leaning back to get a better look at my dress. “Are you seriously wearing a Skye Adair gown tonight? I’m so envious!”
I glance down at my ivory dress and blush. To say I was shocked when I saw the Skye Adair label inside the garment earlier tonight would be an understatement. My mind still hasn’t stopped reeling with questions. One, how does Dimitri even know about Skye’s designer line? Two, how on earth did he manage to get his hands on this dress since her inventory sells out within minutes? And the price tag… her designs are anything but inexpensive. I’m astonished at how much money he spent on me for this one evening. Especially when you add in the Skye Adair shoes and clutch.
“No you’re not,” I tell my sister. “You’re wearing one too.” Sophia’s obsessed with Skye Adair and has been following her career since the beginning when she started as a fashion forward social media influencer.
Sophia releases me and smiles. “This old thing? You’re right it is, but your dress is from her newest collection. How did you score it?”
My gaze wanders to Dimitri, who’s getting an earful about my accomplishments from Mrs. De Luca, a quiet smile on his lips. The pride shining in his eyes when he looks at me makes my stomach flutter with a million butterflies.
“Oh. I see.” Sophia latches onto Roman’s arm. “We’ll see you after dinner.” She studies me for a few seconds longer, her gaze silently asking if I’m okay. I give a subtle nod, then Roman pulls her away. Mrs. De Luca follows after them.
“Hello, handsome.” A woman’s sultry voice purrs, her gaze locked on Dimitri.
My jaw drops when he acknowledges her, a genuine smile lighting his features as they hug.
A sensation I haven’t experienced before swims through me. It’s burning, yet icy cold, and suddenly I’m irrationally angry. Who does this woman think she is? More importantly, who is she to him?
I want to drag her impossibly tall, blond, skinny ass away from him this instant.
Dimitri gestures to me. “This is Arianna Kozlov, my wife.”
I arch a haughty brow at her, but all she does is grin, which further infuriates me. She extends her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Skye Adair.”
For a second, I simply blink at her offered palm. Skye Adair? As in the Skye Adair?
Snapping out of it, my cheeks hot, I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you,” I say, but my words are rushed.
“That dress is perfect on you. When Dimitri came by my studio and told me your tastes, and which event you two were attending, I knew this outfit was the right choice.” She appreciatively gazes down at me.
“Thank you,” I murmur, my manners on autopilot.
He went to her studio? Were they alone together?
“How, um, how do you two know each other?” I ask, my gaze flitting from her stunning, pale green eyes, to his darker ones.
“You didn’t tell her?” Skye giggles, the sound light and airy. “We went to high school together. Which seems like ages ago now. We had our ten year reunion last summer.”
A gong sounds, instructing us all to find our designated dinner seats. Skye waves goodbye to us as she goes in search of her own date.
I’m left speechless. I should have recognized her immediately, I’ve seen her social media profiles, but all I saw was a beautiful woman draping herself on Dimitri. And that smile he gave her was far more intimate and relaxed than I’ve ever seen from him.
Dimitri steers us into the ballroom to locate our seats. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Jealousy looks good on you, wife.”
A fierce blush creeps up my neck. “I’m not jealous.”
As soon as I utter the word, I finally identify how I’ve been feeling. He’s right. I’m jealous. For the first time in my life, I’m actually jealous because I thought a woman was throwing herself at a man I claim to have no feelings for, least of all ones powerful enough to inspire jealousy.
This is a disaster. I’m a hot mess.
I glance up at Dimitri and my mood further sours. He can wipe that smug grin right off his face.
