Page 94 of Mistaken Prejudice

I grabbed his palms in my hands, brought them close to my lips, and kissed his soft skin before letting go.

“I also don’t want to fight, but lately, I feel like you’re not yourself. You’re all over the place, moving constantly. You’re so impulsive, and I just don’t understand why.”

“Because I’m so deeply in love with you.” He took my hand and put it over his shirt, right where his heart was beating fast. I swallowed my words as I stopped and felt his heart beating, only the thin layer of fabric separating my touch from his flesh.

“Can you feel how fast it’s beating? It’s because of you, Andrei. I’m so full of love that I can’t help but be happy.” He looked at me under his eyelashes, and how his crystal eyes shone for me made me forget my worries. Suddenly, the words Daniel spoke to Elliot came back to me. My heart will never cease to miss a beat at your mercy.

I felt the same way, so could I blame Miles for being happy with our connection?

“You’re my first love, Andrei,” he continued. “And the only love I’ll ever have. You’re everything I ever dreamed of.” He let go of my hand and pushed forward, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in my neck. “God… everything is so good when you’re around me,” he said.

I felt so loved and adored, like never before. His words, actions, and attention made me feel special and essential. I wanted him to need me this way. To see me the way he did.

“I love you too, Zaychik. I adore you,” I whispered in his ear and held him as close to me as possible, hoping this dream would never pass. “You’re perfect.”

Chapter 28

Andrei

The wedding took place in a beautiful country house that was located outside the city, and overlooked a stunning valley. Vineyard-covered hills were colored by the afternoon sun. Peeking from behind them was the ocean, giving glimpses of bright blue in the middle of the California valley.

While the round wooden tables were decorated with stunning flower arrangements, shiny lights were hung from the trees and turned the regular Saturday afternoon to look like it was taken out of a fairy tale.

Right now, Elliot and I were standing near a bar table, me with a glass of juice and him with a glass of wine. We both looked at the dance floor, where Daniel was dancing with his daughter, Maya. From what I saw when she walked down the aisle, she was a beautiful woman. Although, I was not ashamed to admit that I missed most of the ceremony because my eyes kept darting back to Miles and how stunning he looked in his black tux that matched his raven hair.

“Well, what a surprise to see you here,” a vicious voice spoke a moment before the person it belonged to stood next to Elliot.

“Of course I’d be here. It’s Daniel’s daughter’s wedding,” Elliot said, answering his brother, Aloïs.

“It’s not like you’re welcomed here, right?” Aloïs answered with a smile, and I had to fight the urge not to spill my drink on his face. He didn’t even acknowledge my presence, and yet, he annoyed the hell out of me.

Back in Paris, I already understood he was a snobby asshole with a stick up his ass.

“Aloïs.” Elliot eyed his brother.

Completely ignoring him, Aloïs turned to me. His sharp eyes seized me under his judgmental look before a fake smile crossed his lips.

“And you are?”

“Andrei,” I said with a blank face that rubbed him the wrong way. Considering his fame, I assumed a prick like him would expect people to bow and gasp at his divine presence. I had no plan, whatsoever, of giving him that pleasure.

“You’ve already met, Aloïs. Andrei is Miles’s boyfriend.” Elliot saved me the hassle of introducing myself.

Aloïs crossed his arms and looked bored before waving his hand in dismissal. “I meet a lot of people, so forgive me if I don’t remember every bland face I meet,” he said bluntly.

“So, what are you doing here?” Elliot asked politely, trying to shift his brother away from me.

Thank you for that.

“Well, unlike you, I was invited by Claudia. She’s a good friend of mine,” he pointed out arrogantly before his pale eyes found me again. “You know Claudia? Daniel’s ex-wife?” As I stayed silent, he continued, “The one Daniel cheated on with Elliot?”

“Aloïs.” Elliot’s voice came out like a whisper, and I noticed how he scratched his wrist nervously. “Please.”

“What?” Aloïs almost laughed as he grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby waiter and took a sip. “It’s not like nobody knows. In fact, everyone knows. Hence my surprise for you being here, brother.” He swirled the wine in his glass as a nasty grin crept on his lips. “Let me tell you something, André.”

“Andrei,” I corrected him. My voice was sharp and unforgiving.

“Pardon?”