Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
“I think...” Cordelia slightly turns toward us, her perfect smile still fixed in place. “I think she touches you like she has every right. And you let her.”
Wells blinks, genuinely surprised. “I don’t—”
“You do.” I pull back slightly, creating space between us. I can tell instantly he doesn’t like that. “You didn’t pull away when she grabbed your arm. But you wouldn’t let me walk ten feet to talk to an old friend without a countdown.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
He stares at me. “Because...” He drags a hand through his hair. “Because Cordelia is... she’s harmless. She’s been in my life forever. She’s like family.”
“Family doesn’t look at you like that.”
“Like what?” He’s either a great actor or he genuinely doesn’t notice it. I suppose that really goes to show me that to him she is platonic at least.
“Never mind.” I don’t want to start an issue. I haven’t met all of his family. I don’t want everyone thinking I’m full of drama when that’s the opposite of who I am.
He kisses my forehead, my nose, and my mouth. “Let’s go make it real clear to everyone who we’re with tonight.”
Before I can ask what he means, he’s pulling me toward the dance floor. The music has shifted again, slow and romantic, and he pulls me into his arms. All those watching eyes, all the whispered conversations, and Cordelia’s piercing glare from the edge of the dance floor remain trained on our every move.
Wells ignores them all. He looks only at me. I do the same. I’m not here for any of them. I’m only here for him.
“Put your arms around my neck,” he says softly.
I do; he’s too hard to resist. He pulls me closer until there’s no space between us. His hands settle low on my waist, possessive and deliberate, and he begins to move. I can feel the hard outline of his cock pressing into my stomach.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“Showing them,” he whispers against my hair. “Showing everyone the rumors are bullshit. I have never danced this way with anyone before. You’re the one I want. The only one.”
He dips me suddenly and dramatically, and I gasp, clutching his shoulders in surprise. He holds me there, suspended, and kisses me. Not a polite press of lips—a real kiss, deep and claiming, in front of everyone.
The crowd makes noises—surprise, delight, and scandal. I don’t care. I kiss him back, lost in it, lost in him.
When he pulls me upright, I’m dizzy.
Normally I don’t care for such attention, but that was kind of perfect. I don’t need to glance toward Cordelia to know she wholeheartedly disagrees.
Chapter Twelve
CALDWELL
Mable is smiling, her eyes slightly dazed but bright as I pull her upright. There she is. She’s even relaxed in my hold now.
I should feel guilty for putting her on display, but I want Mable and everyone else to understand that I’m serious about us. This will be hitting the news and tabloids by tomorrow. This is not my typical style, so everyone will know Mable is different. Not a family friend or someone I was set up with as a possible suitor from another high-society family.
“That was...” Mable licks her lips that are swollen from my kisses. I plan on keeping them that way.
I study her face, but she’s already smoothing her expression. I don’t like that one bit. One of the beautiful things about Mable is how her emotions play across her face, not hiding, but they are now. This is the part of the royal life I hate. It was why I was hesitant to introduce Mable into it to begin with. I hate that she’s forced to hide any part of herself.
“Necessary,” I finish. She laughs, the sound lighter than I’ve heard all night. I think she forgot about everything around us for a brief moment, and fuck, do I love that I can do that to her.
“Necessary?”
“Completely.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You were doubting me. I could feel it.”
“I wasn’t doubting you. I was doubting... never mind.” She lets out a small puff of air, the reality of what’s all around us coming back into full view.
Mable isn’t one for confrontation or to speak up quickly. I know I’m not going to be able to pull anything out of her while we’re at the reception, but I can show my girl what she means to me. Actions always speak louder, they say.
My father’s voice cuts through the noise, and I smile. I have an ally against my mother. Mom can often run circles around Dad, but when he hits a limit, which happens on rare occasions, she’ll back down from whatever it is.
“Caldwell! Bring her over here already.”
We both turn to see him waving us over from the head table, my mother seated beside him, looking anywhere but at us. She remains poised, maintaining the façade she puts on to the rest of the world. She isn’t always this way. There is another side to her, one that not many know. I wish she could always be that person.