Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I turned to Anton. He stepped closer, taking my hand and pulling me slightly away. I turned back to look at my new friend.
“Your father, Anton?”
“He might not agree with this course of action. I would rather not give him the opportunity to interfere.”
I bit my lip. Less than ten minutes ago I had not even thought of marriage. Less than ten hours ago, I had been a virgin. It was all happening too fast.
“I know this is happening quickly, but I love you Mishka. I promise to give you a proper wedding in Moscow. Two actually. Your father is already making arrangements for a ceremony in Switzerland, after I told him I would prefer he was out of harm’s way when it came to the rest of my family.”
My jaw dropped. Again.
“Are you certain this is best?” I asked hesitantly. He nodded. Then added “I’m sure.”
“Then I agree. What should I…”
“Wear?” He asked with a relieved smile. “I think we can find something,” he said mysteriously. Knowing him, he had picked out a wedding dress in New York.
Or three, I joked to myself.
But that wasn’t actually such a wild thought. He very well could have picked out a wedding dress and included multiple options for my preference. It was not as if he could not afford it, I reminded myself when a hint of guilt surfaced at the expense of — imagine it! — three weddings. When it came to me, my fiancé tended to think ahead.
It made me feel safe, I realized.
Safe and loved beyond my wildest dreams.
He led me back to his cousin, whispering something in her ear. Anastasia rubbed her hand over my back reassuringly. I relaxed. Anton was watching me carefully.
She squeezed my shoulder, asking if I was ready. I exhaled and nodded. All the tension flowed out of Anton’s body. I was surprised at how much his feelings impacted me. I didn’t want him to be worried or upset. It mattered to me. I truly did love him.
I let Anastasia lead me into the house.
“How long have you known he was in love with you?”
I gave her a helpless look and laughed.
“I am not sure I knew until five minutes ago.”
“How long have you known you were in love with him?”
“Oh, it’s been ages,” I said with another wry laugh. “I hated him at first. But that did not last long. And I think the seed was always there.”
“It always is,” Anastasia laughed gaily. “I am so glad my morning sickness eased up enough for me to come. I would not have missed this for the world!”
We shared a laugh as several maid’s ran into the room carrying several dresses. A white silk, a gray silk, and a cream silk. None of which I remembered trying on. All of which were perfect for a casual wedding by the sea. Elegant, but effortless.
I tried them all on, and we were both surprised to settle on the grey silk dress. It was little more than a slip dress, but with fluttery sleeves, and a bias cut that was shockingly elegant. The color gleamed, more of a pewter or silver than grey in the light filtering in through the windows. It made my skin glow, and complimented my eyes and my hair. Once that was decided, jewelry suddenly appeared.
Pearls in gold, for my throat and ears, as well as an abstract cuff bracelet made of hammered gold, and inset with pearls and sapphires.
“Something blue,” Anastasia whispered with an eyebrow waggle. I giggled. We had already conferred that I did not need another shower, that she would help me with my makeup, and that the maid would dress my hair, pinning in the silver and lavender flowers that had magically appeared, along with a bridal bouquet in the same colors.
A pair of buttery leather pewter ballet flats completed the ensemble. There was just one more thing. The lingerie.
I blushed at the items the maid took out of a shopping bag. Someone had gone into town and bought these for me, in three coordinating colors, I imagined. And they had not selected the lavender lace bra and panty set for the support, that was obvious.
There was also a lavender silk slip, to cover the lace, I imagined. How they had found items that coordinated so perfectly it was hard to fathom, but somehow, they had.
“Well, I guess you should start from the bottom up,” Anastasia said in English. I let out a startled laugh.
“Be right back,” I said, holding up the lacy undergarments. I darted into the massive marble bathroom to slip into the completely see-through bra and panties. I gulped as I stared at myself. I wasn’t sure how often Anton would want sex but I had a feeling he was going to want to have sex with me immediately after he saw what I was wearing.