Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
I cleared my throat. “This place is beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
Don’t react, don’t react, don’t—
As Nicolo guided me to the dance floor, he glanced down at me, his gaze gleaming in amusement. “Did I embarrass you?”
Absolutely!
But since I would rather die than admit to that—
“So, um...”
It was time to change the subject, and I desperately looked around in search for something—anything!—else to talk about.
“Any dos and don’ts I should know about? Any, um, tips for first-timers like me?”
“The flowering ceremony is always a favorite,” Nicolo murmured. “The passion vines respond to emotional resonance. The stronger the connection between partners, the more vibrantly they bloom.”
“That sounds like a very public compatibility test.”
“It is.”
The orchestra began a new song, something slow and haunting that seemed to make the flowers around us sway in response. Nicolo led me onto the dance floor with the kind of confidence that suggested he’d been doing this his entire life.
Which he probably had.
His hand was warm and sure at my waist, his other hand holding mine with just enough pressure to guide me through the steps. He was an excellent dancer, moving with the same fluid grace he brought to everything else, and I found myself relaxing into the rhythm despite my nerves.
“You’re tense,” he observed.
“I wonder why.”
“Relax, Maryah. This is supposed to be enjoyable.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one wearing”
I stopped, realizing I was about to discuss very private equipment in the middle of a crowded ballroom.
His lips curved in a small smile. “Wearing what?”
“You know what.”
“I’m afraid I don’t.” But there was something wicked in his eyes that suggested he knew exactly what I was talking about. “Why don’t you tell me?”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
The confidence in his voice made me want to step on his feet. Hard. With the pointy heels that matched this ridiculously perfect dress. Instead, I let him guide me through another turn, trying to ignore the way the passion vines along the walls seemed to be glowing brighter as we passed.
“They’re beautiful,” I said, nodding toward the flowering walls.
“They are. But they’re also very revealing.” His hand tightened slightly at my waist. “The deeper the red, the stronger the attraction between partners.”
I glanced around and noticed that most of the vines were a pleasant pink or light coral color. Pretty, but not particularly intense.
The section near us was definitely approaching red.
“Interesting,” I managed.
“Isn’t it?”
We danced in silence for several minutes, and I found myself getting lost in the music and the magical atmosphere. The scent dampeners made everything feel dreamlike, as if I was floating through a fantasy where nothing was quite real.
Which made it all the more shocking when the device Nicolo had insisted I wear suddenly came to life.
The vibration was gentle, barely noticeable, but it made me gasp and stumble slightly in his arms.
“Careful,” he murmured, steadying me with both hands.
“What” I started, then stopped as the sensation increased slightly.
“Is something wrong?” he asked with perfectly innocent concern.
I stared up at him, realizing with growing horror that he was controlling the device. Somehow, he had a way to activate it remotely, and he was testing my reactions in the middle of a crowded ballroom.
“You wouldn’t,” I breathed.
“Wouldn’t what?”
The vibration pulsed once, twice, then settled into a steady rhythm that made my knees weak.
“This is public indecency,” I hissed, trying to keep my expression neutral while my body started responding to the stimulation.
“This is data collection,” he corrected calmly. “How are your stress levels? Heart rate? Overall comfort with the testing environment?”
“I’m going to kill you.”
“That’s concerning. Perhaps we should try a different setting.”
The vibration increased, and I had to bite my lip to keep from making a sound.
“Better?” he asked.
“Worse,” I gasped. “Much worse.”
“Interesting. And how are you feeling emotionally? Any particular thoughts or reactions I should note?”
I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought of his scientific method, but a new song began and another couple bumped into us, reminding me that we were surrounded by people.
People who might notice if I started acting strangely.
People who might wonder why the passion vines around us were now glowing deep crimson.
“The flowers,” I whispered, glancing at the walls in panic.
“What about them?”
“They’re red. Really red.”
“Excellent data.” His purring tone made me want to kiss and kill him at the same time.
“It’s not excellent when everyone can see—”
“That we’re attracted to each other?” Nicolo asked.
Yes! I mean, no!
The device pulsed again, and I stumbled into his chest, my hands fisting in his jacket as I tried to stay upright.
“I can’t do this,” I breathed.
“Yes, you can.”
“People will notice—”
“No one is paying attention to us.”
But even as he said it, I noticed another man approaching from across the dance floor. Tall, confident, wearing a mask that didn’t quite hide his aristocratic features.
“May I cut in?” he asked politely.