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She appears at the top of the stairs, looking every inch the queen she is. Her makeup has been refreshed, no trace of her earlier tears.
I move forward to meet her. When she reaches the bottom step, I extend my hand. She hesitates for a heartbeat before placing her smaller one in mine.
The moment our skin touches, electricity surges through me. Being this close to her does dangerous things to my control.
I lean in slightly as I help her down the last step, my lips brushing her ear. “You look very beautiful.”
She forces a smile. I keep her hand in mine as the room erupts into applause. Lorenzo nods stiffly from the stage.
I reach into my pocket, pull out the velvet ring box, and flip it open to reveal a stunning marquise-cut diamond set in platinum with smaller stones flanking the center stone.
I lift her hand in front of everyone and slowly slide the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly, the diamond catching the light like it was made for her.
The applause grows louder.
Without taking my eyes off her, I reach for a champagne flute from the tray of a passing waiter and offer it to her.
Lorenzo continues, “Please raise your glasses as we celebrate this union that strengthens the bonds between our families. To Roman and Aurora.”
Glasses lift across the ballroom as the guests toast to our engagement. I raise my champagne flute, holding Aurora’s gaze. After a brief hesitation, she reluctantly lifts hers as well.
I tip my glass toward her before taking a slow sip. She brings the rim of her flute to her lips, but I notice the liquid never leaves the glass.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the wedding will take place this weekend,” Lorenzo announces.
Shock flashes across Aurora’s face. Good. I told Lorenzo I wouldn’t wait. I want her as my wife as soon as possible. Fresh applause fills the room.
A slow, romantic song begins to play as Lorenzo steps off the stage. “Dance with me,” I say.
She looks up at me, eyes flashing with the clear desire to refuse. She presses her lips together, then gives a small nod.
I take our glasses, hand them to a waiter and lead her onto the dance floor, pulling her close, one hand on her waist, the other still holding hers.
We sway gently to the slow rhythm, but her body is stiff against mine, every muscle tense.
I lower my head, bringing my lips close to her ear. “Relax, sunshine.”
I feel the way she reacts to my closeness, the slight shiver she tries to hide, the way her breath catches. She may deny it, but my fiancée is affected by me. Just as I am by her. Interesting.
“Why should I?” she whispers back, voice tight. “Are you worried the guests will notice I’m not smiling because you switched me for my sister at the last minute?”
I chuckle softly. “I couldn’t give a fuck what any of these people think. I have no fucks to give about their opinions. I just want you relaxed.”
She lets out a bitter little laugh. “Well, forgive me if I can’t relax in the arms of the man who sent my boyfriend out of town and is now forcing me to marry him.”
My expression hardens. I pull back just enough to look down at her. “How long will you continue bringing up that idiot?”
She opens her mouth, but I cut her off. “What were you even doing with him anyway? Does your father know?” I lean in closer. “Would you like me to go tell him how you’ve been messing around with the son of one of his soldiers?”
Fear flashes in her eyes instantly. Regret hits me like a knife to the gut. The last thing I want is for her to be afraid of me. She should never have fear in her eyes when she looks at me.
I soften my tone slightly. “Get used to this, Aurora. Forget about Luca. He’s gone and he’s never coming back into your life. You’re going to marry me. So it’s best you open your heart to me. For your own good.”
Her eyes flash with defiance. “Tough luck. I’m not opening my heart to you. I will never do that. You can never have my heart.”
A slow smile curves my lips. “Are you willing to bet on that?”
She answers with an annoyed huff. The sound draws a smile from me before I can stop it.
