Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
The large table, which is normally vacant, is set with black plates, crystal glasses, and gold cutlery. Candles are lined in the middle, surrounded by centerpieces of Gold Vanorian Blossoms, and more candles are on the counters. Three women are near the kitchen, working with food. They’re unfamiliar to me, but not the other people inside.
Simpson and Paulina are here, as well as Veno, my driver, and Jack, Lew, and Hunter, my Blackwater Generals. Veno and Lew have brought their wives, and the quartet mingle in a corner. Jack and Hunter stand near the kitchen with silver beer tins in hand, laughing. Simpson and Paulina are pouring and mixing drinks, their forte thanks to their positions as barmen at Blackwater Tavern.
And then there are the two women next to the window, facing the sunset while chatting. Maeve and Willow.
My gaze locks on Willow, and despite the busyness of the room, she’s all I can see. There’s a thumping in my chest as I study the curve of her ass in the silk maroon dress she’s wearing. My heart beats at a swift, chaotic pace, longing to be close to hers. As if she senses me, and all the mad thumping going on in my body, Willow stops talking midsentence to swing her gaze to mine. Her brown eyes light up, twinkling from the nearby candlelight, and she smiles, revealing two rows of beautiful teeth.
My word, is she a beautiful sight. Her long-sleeved dress cuts into a deep V at the chest, revealing the tops of her voluptuous bosom. Her locs are parted at the top of her head and swim down to her shoulders. She wears a gold crown as well, and I bet a million rubies it was Juniper’s idea to put it on her. Willow says something to Maeve before coming my way.
I start to speak, but I’m at a loss for words. I’m not even sure what to say to her. She’s so fucking beautiful it hurts. It literally hurts to see her—to know she’s mine and that I get to have her forever—but in the greatest way.
“Willow, I—” I look her all over, taking her hand in mine. “You look…I mean…”
“Go on. Spit it out,” she teases.
I huff a laugh. “You look incredible. Absolutely stunning.”
“I know.” She taps her temple with two fingers. “I could hear you,” she says with a tinker of a laugh.
I can’t help smiling wider. “Right.”
“This dinner was all her idea, by the way,” Juniper says as she passes us.
I focus on Willow’s eyes. “Was it really?”
She gives me bashful smile. “I just wanted to cheer you up a bit.”
“Well, it worked. Thank you. This is all very thoughtful and beautiful.” To fulfill my aching need, I reel her in by the waist and bring her body closer. My heart comes alive again, humming with our energy. The coolness sinks into my chest, familiar and definite. Never a feeling to waver. Our Cold Tether.
I palm the back of her head as she laces her arms over my shoulders and brings her mouth to mine. Her mouth is sweet with wine, and she smells like flowers and sweet spices. I hold her closer, deepening the kiss, wanting to tangle myself in her, to completely rid myself of the ache by taking her right here, right now…but then I remember, we’re not alone.
I break the kiss, my eyes traveling across the room. All my cousins are trying not to look at us. The other guests are whispering amongst themselves while cutting their eyes at us (it’s mostly Veno’s and Lew’s wives doing the whispering. They’ve not seen me with a woman before, so I’m sure it’s shocking). Maeve looks right at us, though. She’s not one to miss a romantic moment…especially when it comes from me.
Heat creeps up from my shirt collar, and I clear my throat before lowering my gaze to Willow’s and placing my lips to the shell of her ear. “If they weren’t all here, I’d fuck you right on this table,” I whisper.
She releases a bubbly laugh. “Don’t be naughty.”
“We can leave right now, you and me. Run back to the manor and fuck wherever we want. Once everyone starts eating, I bet they won’t even notice we’re gone.”
She laughs again, holding me close and pressing her ear to my chest. She angles her head upward, so I can see her eyes. “We have plenty of time for that afterward.”
“Shall we eat?” Juniper calls out. “I’m starving!”
“Absolutely.” I turn toward the table. “Let’s eat, everyone, and enjoy this night created for us.”
After the food is served by the three catering women and we all dig in, I take a look around the table, understanding what Willow meant when she said there are people who care about me.
I see it now. I knew it was here all along, but it was never this apparent. We never really sat down to have dinners, to laugh, to drink and let go. We’re all so caught up—so busy with life and trying to survive that we don’t get these small moments, nor do we plan them.