Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“The poor prince is lonely.” Beckett and Glenda laugh as they walk to the dance floor, and I scowl at their backs.
“Traitors,” I say, more to myself, as I make my way back through the crowds and to the bar near the terrace.
This one is less busy, maybe because it’s darker over in this corner. The music is still loud enough to hear, but they’ve begun the auction, so everyone that isn’t dancing is occupied with that too.
After I grab a drink, I step outside and see that it’s empty and blessedly quiet. There aren’t any lights out here either, and I can’t say I hate it. For a long moment, I stand there sipping my drink and thinking about how many more days I have until I marry Amelia. Sweet, sweet Amelia.
A noise in the dark to my right has me turning to see what it was. There’s movement, and I take a step toward the sound.
“Who’s there?” And as if I’ve conjured her out of thin air, Amelia steps into the light in all her curved glory. “Fuck,” I whisper as I take in what she’s wearing and what she’s got on display.
Her mask has her face hidden, but I’d know it even if I was blind. I could pick her out of a crowd of a thousand just by the line of her neck. She could be on the other side of the ocean, and with one sway of her hips, I’d know she belonged to me.
The dress she’s wearing is something made for husbands only, and seeing her with this on out in public makes me livid. How dare she put what belongs to me on display for every man in here to crave? She’s mine, goddamn it! Well, she will be. She’s mine in every sense of the word, even if the ink hasn’t been put on the paper.
“Hello,” she says sweetly as she steps closer. “I wasn’t trying to hide; I just didn’t want to disturb your thoughts.”
I open my mouth to tell her I was thinking of her when she steps closer.
“I should probably introduce myself, but I think the masks are a little freeing, don’t you?”
“Yes.” I have to swallow hard as I say the word because I’m hit with the scent of her. I was close enough to her to catch it only once before now, but that scent is tattooed on the inside of my lungs.
“Oh well, I guess I should get back to the party. It was nice talking to you.” She goes to turn away, and I reach out, touching her fingers with mine.
“No.” She looks down at the gentle hold, and her eyes travel up to mine. Can she feel that? The heat of her burning through me is like a hot brand, but I can’t let go. “Stay with me.”
“Are you sure I won’t disrupt your quiet?” Her voice has somehow changed to something softer, and it makes me hard. Is this how she’ll sound when I’m inside her?
“I’d like you to disrupt it.” Without thinking, I pull her with me as I walk closer to the little alcove where she was standing earlier. It’s completely private over here, and I’d see anyone coming onto the terrace before they’d see us. “Are you alone tonight?”
“Um, yes.” She hesitates, and if she’s brought a man here, I’ll kill him. “My brother is with me.”
“And he won’t miss you out here?” I move so that her back is against the cool stones and I’m in front of her with an arm against it. She’s nearly caged in by me, and my size overshadows hers.
“Not for a while.” Her hand comes up to adjust her mask that looks like a cat. It’s golden and black with green crystals around the eyes.
“Was your plan to meet a stranger out here?”
She shrugs one shoulder. “Maybe.”
“What is it you want? Maybe I can give it to you.” I lick my lips, and her eyes don’t miss the movement.
Was my bride-to-be out here trying to seduce another man? I’ll put an end to this here and now. If she needs to be serviced, I’m the one to do it. Forever.
“I want something for my own.” She raises her chin, and I can see her chest rise and fall quickly like she’s nervous even saying that out loud.
“Like what, little kitten?” I bring my free hand up and trace it down the bare column of her neck, to the start of her ample cleavage. “You’ll need to be specific so I don’t misunderstand you.”
“I…” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips and I clench my jaw. “I want to be kissed.”
“Is that all?” My finger slowly traces the cups of her dress.
She nods, and I tilt my head to the side. “Just one kiss?”