Carol Marinelli - Billionaire Without A Past

Nikolai had been to few weddings. His lifestyle ensured he did not get particularly close to others but seeing his friend clearly in love, he was glad he had come.

Even if he had been outed.

They stood for another hymn.

‘Oh, I know this one,’ Rachel said, and proceeded to sing tunelessly and loudly beside him.

She was a terrible midwife because Libby had another contraction during the second verse and, Nikolai observed, Rachel didn’t appear to even notice.

He had timed them.

Rachel was right, though—they were ages apart and Libby had a while to go.

Still...

‘Your friend is in pain,’ Nikolai said.

‘I know!’ Rachel hissed, and as they took their seats while the couple went off to the vestry to sign the register she elaborated. ‘Why do you think I was singing so loudly? I was trying to keep the spotlight from her.’

Rachel did not need to sing, even badly, for the spotlight to be on her, Nikolai thought. Even if he had been seated at the back of the church, his eyes would have been drawn to her. He had noticed her getting out of the car, he had seen those long pale legs as they’d climbed the church steps and that gorgeous tumble of red hair.

A harp was being played, very badly, and Rachel got back to the order of service and found that it was Naomi’s cousin who was putting the congregation through hell.

‘Ouch,’ she said as a note was missed, and her fidgeting resumed.

‘Do you have any more sweets?’ he asked.

‘Always.’ She smiled and went into her bag and handed him not one but two.

He unwrapped the sweet and popped it into his mouth. It was brittle, with a soft centre, and was absolutely delicious.

‘Do you know why I like them?’ Rachel whispered. ‘They get stuck to your teeth and you can find a bit later.’

He turned then and for the first time met her eyes fully.

His were a very dark brown, almost black, Rachel thought, and his gaze was penetrating, so much so that as it shifted down to her mouth she could feel the blush of her skin.

‘I’m thinking of getting braces,’ she said, perhaps because they were on the subject of teeth, or perhaps just for something to say.

‘Don’t.’

‘The invisible ones,’ she amended.

‘Why,’ Nikolai asked, ‘would you ruin such an amazing mouth?’

Oh, she was a terrible midwife because had the bride and groom not appeared then, Rachel would have been rather tempted to take his hand and simply run.

He was stunning.

She ached to see him smile, but he did not return hers and she ached for a witty retort but she had none.

The bells rang loudly and the newlyweds walked back down the aisle and Nikolai turned his attention to them.

Daniil gave his wife a concerned look as he walked past.

‘I’m fine,’ Libby mouthed.

‘She’s lying,’ Rachel muttered.

Soon they were all out on the steps and the wedding party was being arranged for photos. Nikolai knew that now was the time to leave quietly.

Yes, Sev had questions and deserved answers, but today wasn’t the time for that and so, as the photographer called for everyone to gather on the steps, Nikolai walked away, hoping to disappear into the crowd.

‘Hey!’

He could hear the clip of footsteps running behind him and knew who he would see when he turned around.

The bee was buzzing.

‘You can’t just leave!’ Rachel said. She wasn’t even thinking about Sev and the rest of them—more, how dare he flirt like that and simply walk off?

But Nikolai had other ideas.

‘I can do exactly that,’ he responded.

‘You have to stay,’ Rachel said. ‘I’ve been given instructions and I take my duties as friend of the wife of the best man very seriously.’

Nikolai cared nothing about her duties and started to move away.

‘It’s not fair on Sev to leave,’ Rachel said, and his shoulders stiffened as he halted.

‘Sev’s wedding is hardly the best time to catch up on things.’

‘But he’ll enjoy it more if you’re here.’ Rachel watched as he slowly turned again. Nikolai glanced over at the wedding party and, sure enough, instead of concentrating on the photo being taken, Sev was looking in their direction, clearly wondering if Nikolai was about to disappear.

Again.

‘Very well,’ Nikolai conceded. ‘I’ll stay for the reception but then I’m going back.’

‘To where?’

‘To my life.’

Rachel was curious to know more. His accent was heavy and she guessed that London wasn’t his base. As they started to head back to the group she asked for more information. ‘And where is your life?’ she asked. ‘Where do you live?’

‘Nowhere for long. I don’t like to get too involved with any one place or person.’

He turned his head slightly and his eyes told her to step back from the conversation, to drop it.

She did so.

‘There’s Libby,’ Rachel said, and gave her friend a wave.

Libby was clearly looking for them. ‘There you are.’ She smiled. ‘Sev wants you in a photo, Nikolai.’

Nikolai gave a nod and walked off towards the church, and Rachel and Libby watched as the three men stood on the steps of the church. A photo was taken of them with Naomi and then the photographer called for Libby to join in.

Rachel watched Libby make her weary climb up the steps to smile widely for the camera and then Libby and Naomi stepped aside and there was a photo taken of just the three men. Rachel glanced to her side and saw that Anya was standing nearby.

‘It’s a shame the other one isn’t here,’ Rachel said, and watched as Anya frowned. ‘Roman,’ Rachel clarified.

‘If he was here there would be trouble.’ Anya shrugged. ‘He would make sure of that.’

‘Still, it would be nice if Daniil could find his twin.’

‘Some people don’t want to be found!’ Anya dismissed the notion. ‘Daniil should accept that fact.’

‘It’s his identical twin.’

‘So?’ Anya said. ‘Sometimes you just have to get over things.’

She really was incredibly cold, Rachel thought as Anya walked off. If she hadn’t seen her dance, she would have thought Anya incapable of emotion.

Except she had seen her dance!

And Rachel wanted to see it again.

Nikolai rode in the car with Rachel and Libby, who told him where the reception was being held.

‘Your husband bought the hotel last year?’ Nikolai said.

‘He did.’ Libby smiled. ‘So you’ve been keeping an eye on him?’

‘A bit,’ Nikolai admitted. He looked over to where Rachel sat and saw that she was freshening her lipstick, and when she spoke he liked it that she had more important things on her mind than finding out about him.

‘Do you think I should simply ask her?’ Rachel asked Libby. ‘Maybe I was too subtle in the church.’

‘Rachel,’ Libby said, ‘I don’t think anyone could ever accuse you of being subtle.’ Libby turned and explained the conversation to Nikolai. ‘Rachel is desperate to see Firebird but it’s completely sold out. She was hoping that Anya—’

‘Anya?’ Nikolai broke in, clearly recognising the name.

‘I believe that she was the cook’s daughter at the orphanage.’ Libby nodded. ‘Well, her stage name is Tatania and she now plays the lead in Firebird. She was standing behind you in the church.’

‘She will be there at the reception?’ Nikolai asked.

‘She will be.’ Libby nodded. ‘Though only for a little while, she has a performance tonight.’

‘And I’m going to ask for tickets for next week,’ Rachel said as the car pulled up at the hotel. ‘Just watch me.’

He was!

Given the venue and that Daniil owned it, of course things went smoothly. Nikolai’s name had even been added to the table plan. He was seated beside Anya and another guest but Rachel shamelessly got out her pen and moved things around so that he now sat next to her.