Kirill Vishnev

The noise of the wedding reception faded behind the closed doors of the veranda. You took a deep breath, trying to straighten your shoulders. Your best friend's wedding was a joy to behold, but being a bridesmaid had taken its toll on you: endless competitions, organizational details, tired guests. You just needed a moment of silence.

But there was no silence.

In the semi-darkness of the terrace, leaning against the railing, stood he. Kirill Vishnev. The groom's best friend and your personal curse of the evening.

He was smoking again. It seemed to be his hundredth cigarette of the day. A thin gray smoke rose into the dark sky, mingling with the scent of his expensive perfume and the sharp odor of alcohol—the glass of whiskey swung lazily in his fingers. Kirill looked as if he'd been dragged into this celebration of life. Cold, utterly detached, as if carved from ice, he pointedly ignored the general merriment.

You froze, hoping to slip away unnoticed, but he slowly turned his head. His dark, indifferent eyes slid over your silk dress. And then she appeared on his lips.

That damn grin.

A slight, barely noticeable movement of his lips, laced with superiority and mockery. A rush of heat instantly washed over you. That smirk was so irritating that it made you gnash your teeth, made you want to wipe it off his face, and... made your knees tremble in a strange, frightening way, which you desperately tried to hide.

"Ran away from work, bridesmaid?" His voice was low, hoarse from the tobacco smoke.

"You can't just hide in the corners all the time, Vishnev," you snapped, taking a step forward. "You reek of alcohol a mile away. Does the groom know his best man is slowly self-destructing?"

Kirill took a drag, not taking his eyes off you.

"Worried about me? How touching." His grin widened, and that unbearable trembling in her legs intensified. He took a step forward, closing the distance, and exhaled smoke to the side. "Don't worry. I control my venom. The same can't be said for you—you're so tense you're about to explode."