Boxed Set: Dominated by a Billionaire - Part 10-12: Irresistible Billionaire by Emma M. Green

drink," he sighs, in a very condescending tone. "I can hear it in your voice, your eyes are shiny and you're jumping all over the place."
    Zen… Zen… Z…
    "Vadim, mind telling me what’s wrong?"
    "Nothing's wrong, other than I don’t like it when you act that way."
    His face is serious. Mine is red – with anger. I feel like I'm about to explode. I try to find the right words, wanting at all costs to avoid looking ridiculous. This conversation has humiliated me enough; I don’t plan on making it worse. But after a few long seconds of hesitation, drowning in his cold gaze, I finally blow up:
    "What’s your problem, anyway? I only drank one cocktail and two soft drinks!"
    "Alma, listen…"
    "I’m not listening to anything. I’m going to bed! And next time you play Prince Charming by taking me to the castle of my dreams, try not to act like an asshole five hours later! Roller coasters are something I’ve never liked."
    I climb the stairs that lead to the top floor, slip into the huge bedroom and slam the door behind me. It’s stupid but I have tears in my eyes. I suddenly feel worried in a way that chills my blood.
    What if he is regretting it? The engagement, the future wedding, the château…
    He has exactly 28 days to make my wildest dream come true. Or blow it up in smoke…

7.
Love Story
    “The Vaux-le-Vicomte Chateau? You’re going all out!” my brother whistles, handing the crystal carafe to Vadim.
    “My daughter is a princess; she deserves it,” my mother smiles sweetly from the other side of the table.
    The Sunday lunch ritual survived my father’s departure. My mother continues making beautiful meals for a whole regiment, with all the love and generosity she is known for. Basile always shows up a half hour early, Lily a half hour late. I’m right on time.
    Alma, the good little soldier…
    Vadim – who will soon officially be part of the Lancaster clan – is more withdrawn than usual. He just smiles politely, answers questions, but I get the feeling he’s elsewhere. His irresistible grin has disappeared, he doesn’t try to catch my eye, doesn’t run his hand over my back as he often as he sips his glass of
Clos des Papes
. I don’t know if he realizes it, but his aloofness hurts. For several days now, he hasn’t been exactly cold, just… different. Preoccupied. Absent, at times. Yet our last argument is a closed case. My King spent practically all night humbly apologizing, then he took me on a romantic outing the very next day. A stroll through Montmartre, hand in hand, in the nice sunny weather.
    My Vadim was definitely there, that day…
    “Less than four weeks to get everything ready… Good luck! If you two lovebirds need a hand, please ask, okay? Lily says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I can even get Pippa on board!”
    “Pippa – help? Now that’s a joke! Didn’t she choose sleeping in over seeing us?” Basile sneers.
    “You can settle your differences with her, smart alec, not with me. I’m just her messenger,” my sister mutters.
    “Thanks for the offer, Lil’, but we should be alright. Daphné is going to take care of everything,” my fiancé answers.
    “Who?”
    “Daphné Legrand, our wedding planner,” I explain. “She’s already sent out all the invitations, hired a famous chef and his team, a symphony orchestra, ten photographers, a fleet of florists, and decorators to mention just a few…”
    Around the table, faces light up and everyone starts gabbing. Everyone has a little something to say – you can feel the excitement and it warms my heart. My eyes meet Vadim’s and I’m relieved to see him smiling tenderly. Right then, I’ve got him back. My Vadim. The man who loves me and is about to take the leap with me. To merge You + Me to make one Us.
    “One day it’ll be our turn, huh? I mean, on a slightly lower budget,” Niels sniggers, putting his hand on Basile’s.
    “It’s not about the money,” Vadim says hoarsely. “I want to give Alma