Page 140 of Beguiled

“Oh, you think I have him under my thumb already?” I did find it curious he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off me. I’d known him for months. Months of aggravation at his rudeness. His cold demeanor.

His challenges.

His eyes and the way he’d looked at me.

I’d endured the long hours for less pay than I’d thought I was owed. And the heat of the moment when he’d walked into a room.

And his sadness, a grief that he’d yet to handle.

Something had changed between us and now, every moment of every day, I wanted more.

“We know so. And it looks good on both of you.” Vivian squeezed my arm and at that moment, my handsome date strolled through the crowd toward me. He was almost a full head taller than everyone else so I could keep track of him easily.

As he approached, his nostrils flared, his eyes sweeping all the way to my high heels.

“My beautiful woman,” he said in his usual possessive tone.

“Your woman, huh?”

“Absolutely.” He slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me against him. “Don’t forget that.”

“I don’t think you’re going to allow me. Are you?”

His grin was boyish. “Not even a chance.”

He’d held me all night long, maybe hoping we’d both forget the horrible scene. If there was anything to be thankful for, it was that Mikhail spared his family losing anyone else. I’d seen and heard the intense pain in the man, someone who’d lost himself in hatred and a rage that I knew Stash was capable of.

“I was beginning to think you forgot me. You were on the phone earlier. You ignored me. A girl could get jealous.”

“I have no doubt you’d hunt and trap any other woman who looked at me.” His grin faded, the look becoming more serious. “I had a nice conversation with my mother.”

“You did?” I wasn’t surprised.

“I did. I told her how sorry I was for treating her so badly.”

“I’m glad. I’m sure she was happy you called her.”

“She was. We had a nice long talk, including about you.”

“Uh-oh.”

He nodded, the mischief returning. “I told her you were very much alike. Far too much.”

At least we could both laugh. “Well, then maybe one day we’ll meet.”

“I’m sure you will. Soon, I hope. She also offered her blessing.”

“On me? Great,” I snarled, still teasing.

The music stopped and instantly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

“She did,” he laughed and backed away from me. “She also offered advice that I plan on taking.”

The lights cut out. What in the hell was going on? “I’m afraid to ask about what.”

There was no sound as a swirling of luminous lights trickled down from the ceiling, washing over us.

Me standing with my mouth open and with the man I’d fallen in love with now on one knee. In his hand was a velvet box and, in the periphery, I noticed shadows as everyone at the party crowded around.