It was all in the way they interacted. Jenna was Nikolai King’s submissive. I’d bet that one-hundred-dollar bill in his pocket from Ivan that all three of them were Doms.
This changes everything.
I wanted to run, but Nik’s grip on my hand was firm as he led me off the dance floor. Confusion coursed through me. Is that what Alek was aiming for over these past few weeks? Did he want me to be his…sub? And if he did, why did that thought not horrify me down to the core of my soul?
Had my body somehow shifted into another’s? Because the images that flashed through my head of Aleksandr exerting control over me weakened my knees. And I refused to acknowledge what it was doing to my panties. In my head, two of my bears shouted out at the same time, followed by sensible Summer.
“Run, do not walk. This is not a drill,”Autumn would say.
“If you don’t leave this very instant, young lady, I’ll have you committed,”Winter would yell.
“Calm down, you two. This presents a bit of an obstacle, but it’s possibly still doable. Remember what your research showed you,” Summer would remind me.
I sought out Alek once more. He was talking to his parents, completely at ease, unaware of my inner conflict.
Chapter 26
Kinsley
Dancing With The Blade
Ivan stepped up to take my hand. Nik gave it a little squeeze, grounding me in the here and now.
“Enjoy yourself. Blade, try not to step on her toes,” Nik said with a kiss on the back of my hand.
My skin tingled where he had kissed it, and the exchange with him left me lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I was thankful he hadn’t grilled me on my past, but the results of the conversation we did have were still odd at best.
Strangely, a part of me didn’t want to part company with him. But there was still another brother waiting for a dance. I turned and met the serious expression of Ivan King. He extended his hand toward me, claiming me.
Nowhere in my mind had I imagined the night being like this. A surge of anticipation rippled through me. Confusion set in when he placed me directly in front of him.
His touch was deliberate as his fingers deftly worked through the pins securing my hair. With each delicate tug, a cascade of curls released, tumbling freely around my shoulders.
In that fleeting moment, strands of hair danced around us. A sense of vulnerability washed over me. The way he fixed my hair was another unexpected act of intimacy. I met his gaze once more.
“What are you doing?” I exclaimed, trying to gather my wits about me.
“I like it down.” He smirked.
Softening his smile, he took my hand.
The music began again, and I whipped my head toward the DJ booth as Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” began.
What an eclectic playlist. It had a unique arrangement, a more orchestrated version. My ears picked up the distinct tones of the piano and cello, and a pang of sadness rippled through my heart.
“Hey, what’s that look for?” Ivan asked as he brushed a knuckle over my cheek.
Something in the soft tone of his voice and the gesture soothed me. It was as if he spoke to my soul somehow. I stared into his oceanic-colored eyes and let him lead me farther onto the dance floor. In Ivan’s arms, there was a sense of safety, and the size difference between us was almost comical. He towered over me, even in heels.
And as if he heard my thoughts, he spoke, “I don’t think I’ve ever danced with someone so incredibly small. You’ll have to forgive me if I stumble a little.” He gave me a sheepish grin. “Alek’s right. I’m not the best dancer. But Iamthe best fighter,” he added, puffing his chest out.
It seemed sweet, and like something a brother would do when trying to best the other. As far as dancing went, he knew what he was doing. He held his own with me, his form relaxed but hitting the moves at the right time.
“Fighting, like what kind of fighting?”
“All kinds—boxing, MMA, you name it, I like it. But my favorite is knife fighting. It takes a special skill.”
“And would Alek agree you are the better fighter?” I teased. He twirled me around, flinging me away from him, only to pull me back tightly.
