BORDER

Chapter Twenty Seven

NERISSA

    The red dress that wraps every curve of my body in silk, has a beautiful train. It flares out behind me like a cape of red fading into a dark black. I feel out of place, I feel so exposed. I am out of my comfort zone considering there is a split in the dress that starts from my neck, all the way down so that it looks like I am wearing something that doesn't quite close. It is scandalous, seductive, and suggestive and it has my feet reddening just as vibrant as the dress. The black strappy heels make me feel alluring.

    I feel powerful.

    Everyone's eyes are on me and if they aren't they are on Anakin Kumar. And so are mine. He looks dashing in that suit, his scar prominent on his face after cleansing days of filth from his body. It chills me to the bone to think about how he got such a scar. He never talks about it and he didn't even hint as to where it was from and I never dared to ask.

Tonight, though, it holds the least of my attention. He's devastatingly handsome, I can imagine women swooning just for him. I can not blame them, his dark features and standoffish aura gives him the perfect darkly seductive aura that women crave. I can not help but to warm in other places besides my shoulder. My shoulder flares when my eyes meet his dark stare.

I pause at the pain just as Anakin's mouth parts and he sucks in a breath sharply. He looks at me like I am the only woman he's ever seen and he is starving for me. I have never seen such a stare, especially from him. He stares at me like I am strapped up naked on a table waiting to be devoured.

    When I reach the bottom of the steps, Anankin does not hesitate to put his arm out and I gently take it. He avoids eye contact and holds his head high but I have a feeling that all he sees is me. "Didn't think you would pull it off."

    I smirk. "Is that a compliment?"

    "It is an opinion."

    "With a positive connotation."

    He rolls his dark eyes as his mouth morphs into a smile. "Yes, well, if you asked me if I thought you were beautiful, I would say no."

    "Oh." Disappointment blooms in my chest. I glance around and see people part so we can make our way into the middle. Now it is just us at the center of attention.

    "Nerissa," Anakin murmurs softly as I slip my hand into his.

"Do you know how to dance?" I ask simply and without emotion before cocking an eyebrow.

    "No. I'll follow you."

    Gods.

I position my other hand behind his neck as he moves one of his to my hip. Rubbing gently. The ensation sends butterflies through my stomach and into my brain. The world tips for a moment and Anakin has to steady me. I blink at him before looking away.

"I'm nervous," I mutter as I feel him slowly lock in my hands.

"I know. Pretty sure the whole room knows too." He places his hand on my lower back, pressing us together.

I still don't look at him. "You're such an ass."

The harp and lyre introduce themselves as the song begins to start. The notes flow over me like a river and suddenly I am sucked into a song of travesty.

I try to keep it light as we begin to dance. "Think of it like you're fighting," I explain to him, "Right leg," I whisper, "Turn slightly," I say again. "Spin me."

He does just that before pulling me in by my waist, pressing me up against his chest, once more. I can feel my breasts crushing against his chest. We move like we are in battle, but it looks elegant and not rough at all. And before I know it Anakin is almost taking the lead and everything feels as smooth as ice.

"Nerissa, you are not looking at me."

I frown as my eyes search for Evangeline in the crowd. "I am looking for Evangeline."

In truth, I am avoiding your eyes because you are an ass.

"Look at me."

"No."

He stiffens before his hand moves from my back to take my chin. He forces my eyes to his and my gods my heart could burst open at the sight. "Beautiful does not describe you."

My lips part as I take it in. "What?"

"When I said I would not call you beautiful..." he looks like he is in so much pain as he says this, "I am saying that you look celestial. Like the stars and moons and suns in perfect harmony. You are not beautiful, Nerissa, you are bewitching, transfixing – you arrest me."

"I thought you hated me."

"And yet," He says simply.

And yet.

I smile and for a moment his usual smirk flits into a smile of his own. The song is coming to an end so I allow his words to fade between us for a later moment. My mind is spinning as we part ways to circle one another, dancing with our eyes.

"What are we doing?" Anakin asks as if he is in my head.

"You need to trust me," I start, "Meet me in the middle in 3...2...1." He does just that before gripping my hand in his once more, twirling me wildly, and completely taking over the dance.

Liar.

Anakin knows exactly what he is doing as he dips me and showcases my breasts to everyone as I arch my back in his hands. He then pulls me up and twist our bodies outwards from each other. When he pulls me back in, he slips around so that he is behind me. His chest rests on my entire back, before guiding my hands above my head, with his right hand he signals for me to drop. I drop into a split before he yanks me back up in his grip.

Thank the gods, I wore this dress.

Dance training for shows of devotion to Phanes has prepared me for this moment and yet it feels wild to be in it. I almost zone out the whole ordeal as we continue. I don't much like being the follower in a dance. Yet with Anakin, I am so submissive towards him. I allow him to take control easily, I don't try to mix it up to surprise the audience. When he dips me my heart doesn't drop because I know he will not let go. No, I trust the man in front of me, hate and arguments aside, I trust him with my life.

Anakin lifts me up with his hand and places the same hand on the small of my back as cheers and applause fills the entire room around me. I smile wildly at Anakin and he almost looks just as happy.

I brush my hand along his cheek, my fingers skim his scar, and it is like a switch goes off. Anakin the one who just called me more than beautiful retreats and the man I have burned with anger for steps forward. His face turns cold and glassy as he pulls away.

He shakes his head. As if he is rather disappointed. "I thought you knew everything, temptation."

What in Phane's name just happened?