Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“The ceremony was lovely, wasn’t it?” She’s grasping at a way to break through my guard, but I don’t know if she can.
“It was.”
A sigh, and then she tries again. “I can’t believe how far you’ve come in your designs. The dresses are beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
She falls quiet for a while, and I think she’s given up on small talk when her attention settles over my shoulder. “Who’s that woman standing next to Landon?”
I turn, expecting to find one of the two-hundred guests at my brother’s side. Instead, it’s the woman I’d hoped was too self-absorbed to put in an appearance at her brother’s wedding.
“That’s Lilith Astor, Landon’s sister.”
If Faye has a response to that, I miss it because Lilith chooses that moment to put her hand on Sebastian, her manicured fingers curling around his forearm. She says something into his ear, and my blood boils. I’m riveted, the guests around me ceasing to exist.
He’ll tell her to get lost.
She’ll stomp away, face twisted in a resentful scowl.
His gorgeous blue eyes will meet mine from across the reception tent, communicating his love and loyalty.
My mouth hangs open as he follows her outside the tent.
What just happened?
“Novalee? Are you okay?” Faye’s concerned tone breaks through my shock.
I stand in a rush. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
She objects, pleading with me to tell her what’s wrong, but I’m already in flight, feet carrying me across the tent. The music switches tempo as I near the dance floor, and that’s when Liam blocks my path.
“Let them go,” he says, hands on my shoulders. “This isn’t the place for a scene.”
“Don’t touch me.”
His wounded expression reaches the decency that still lives inside me somewhere, and I fight back tears. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
With a sigh, he takes my hand. “Dance with me. Last time I checked, that’s still allowed at a wedding.”
I let him lead me onto the dance floor, but as he pulls me into his arms, my heart is still on the ground where he stopped me, bleeding mistrust.
“He doesn’t deserve you.”
Unable to speak without breaking down, I hold on to him, my cheek against his chest, and focus on breathing.
Because if I’m breathing, that means my heart can’t be shattered.
Right?
A voice inside my head whispers that I’m jumping to conclusions, that maybe there’s another explanation, and he isn’t disappearing with Lilith like he did on the night of the ball. I consider everything the more reasonable side of my conscious mind points out, but I’m incapable of heeding such wisdom. Maybe I’m as reactionary as Sebastian.
He’s fire, and I’m air. Together, we’ll set the universe ablaze if we’re not careful.
After several moments of disquiet, Liam sighs, his exhale disrupting my hair. “He doesn’t deserve you, and yet here we are—me wanting you, and you wanting him.”
I suck in a breath, still unable to find the right words to convey my level of regret. He doesn’t deserve the pain I’m causing him, but I can’t drag myself away.
Not when he’s the one keeping me on my feet.
“It’s okay. I’ll do the talking, my sweet girl.”
He leads us into a swaying rhythm, but what we’re doing is barely considered dancing. Not that I care.
“I know I said I’d walk away if that’s what you wanted.” He tightens his arm across my back, his hold on the verge of possessive. “But I’m not convinced, Novalee. Until I get to the bottom of what’s been going on with you, I have no plans to give up my bid in the auction.”
His vow blares through my ears, a warning that the earth is about to shift under my feet. As he slowly turns us, a set of wrathful blue eyes greets me from the edge of the dance floor. Like a horror film reduced to slow-mo, Sebastian strides to where I’m dancing with Liam.
Thunderous anger twists his mouth as he yanks me from the chancellor’s arms. “Let’s go.” He’s got a death grip on my arm, and I stumble into his solid chest.
Liam objects behind me, but Sebastian ignores him, dragging me another foot across the floor.
“Back off, Castle. This is between Novalee and me.”
“There is no you and me!” I yank my arm free and glare at him.
A collective murmur of stunned voices surrounds us, and I realize the sight the three of us must present. The horrific scene we’re causing that will ruin Elise’s wedding if I don’t get out of here now. Turning my back on Sebastian, I flee toward the tower.
Chapter Fourteen
I’m blind with mortification, vision clouded with salty drops of shame as I run for the elevator. I make it into the safety of claustrophobic space, breaths coming in painful gasps as the doors slide to meet in the middle, and that’s when a dress shoe throws a wrench in my escape route. The doors reverse course and reveal the picture of a furious man.