Page 70 of Unholy Tsar

“Something like that.”

“You didn’t want my opinion?”

He walks up to me with a smile and chucks my chin. “No. I know what you look good in, dushen’ka.”

“Want to at least give me a hint?”

“You’ll be the belle of the ball. A captivating princess.”

“Princess, huh?”

I could get used to that.

He lifts up my left hand and rubs his thumb over my ring finger.

“A queen,” he corrects.

25

CECILIA

An hour later, I emerge from a luxurious bath, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I quickly change out of my sleep-rumpled clothes and make my way to the beautiful living area. As expected, Maksim is already there, looking strikingly handsome and polished after his shower. He glances up from his phone as I enter.

“You could’ve joined me,” I tease, running a hand through his damp hair. “I could’ve scrubbed your back for you.”

He catches my wrist before I can dishevel his hair and smirks, “You would’ve done more than that. We both know how you act in showers.”

“How I act? What about you?”

“Guilty as charged. Now come on, we don’t want to be late for dinner.”

“Is my dress here?”

“Let’s find out.”

Maksim leads me into the elevator, and we ride it to the fourteenth floor. The floor just below ours. When the doors open, I’m hit with the sight of a majestic foyer… a foyer filled to the brim with people and racks upon racks of clothes. Hell, there are so many racks I can’t count them all. It’s like stepping into a fashion wonderland.

“Maksim…What is this?”

“You need a dress, don’t you?”

“This is too much, it—”

“Nonsense.” He dismisses my concern with an impertinent wave. Before I can argue further, a woman separates herself from the group and steps toward us.

“Good evening, sir. Ma’am,” she greets us with a tentative smile. “My name is Alena, and I will be your assistant today.”

Maksim wastes no time in stating his expectations. “I want to see each outfit she tries on,” he says, and Alena nods. I roll my eyes but follow her as she leads me into the chaos.

“There are several garments for you to try, but after reading the brief about your event tonight, I took the liberty of selecting three dresses I think would be perfect. I hope I did not overstep?”

I smile politely. “No, no, that’s perfect, thank you.”

To be honest, it would be too overwhelming to have to go through all the clothes here by myself. Hell, I’d probably miss dinner. Maksim sure knows how to go the extra mile.

I steal a glance at him when Alena leaves to fetch the dresses. He’s found a seat in a high-back armchair.

He’s focused on his phone, typing away, but fuck, he still looks so incredibly hot with that little furrow between his brows. I can’t wait to kiss him again.