Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“Mom.” I give her a curt nod. “You look lovely this evening.”
“Oh hush.” Mom rolls her eyes. “Lean down here.” I do as I’m told so my mom can place a kiss on each of my cheeks.
Mom has always been the affectionate type. I can’t recall a time when I was completely comfortable with it. It never felt natural to me. I’m different from the rest of my family. I understood that from a young age. I simply process things differently and might be missing a few key parts upstairs, but it’s never been a problem before.
“Come and say hello to everyone.” There are a handful of guests here from other high-ranking families. I make my rounds, greeting everyone. My eyes keep lingering toward the doorway as I pretend to sip on my scotch. Where the hell is she?
Her parents are here already. Mom told me she’d invited them early to have drinks. Tova’s mother Becca continues to stare at me when she thinks no one is watching. The woman wants me dead. She’ll have to get in line.
“Are you avoiding the parents?” Ronan comes to stand beside me. “The in-laws.” He shakes his head. They will be my in-laws. Ronan cocks his head toward me, waiting for an answer that won’t be coming because once he asked the question, I realized he was right. I was avoiding them.
“Not sure how to deal with them yet,” I admit to my brother. The only person that I would. The only person I have ever avoided is Tova, and I did a shit job of that. I knew when she entered the house. I had an alert set. That way I could pass by her and get my daily fix. One I haven’t gotten in days.
“Because you want them to like you?” Ronan asks.
“I could give a shit less if they like me.” I take a sip of my drink.
What I care about is my soon-to-be wife. I’m guessing she is going to want me to be on good terms with them. I know she is close to her parents. That had been key when I’d moved her parents here to the property. I knew she’d be with them.
“You give a shit if your wife likes you?”
I grunt a response. I care far too much, but no one else needs to know that.
“Is she avoiding you?” Ronan makes a show to look around. If Tova was here, you’d know. You can’t miss her.
“Yes.” The one word comes out short and hard. This evening would be a lot easier if she was here. At least I could watch her.
With each second that ticks by and Tova doesn’t show, my irritation is growing. So does my worry, but I know there is no chance she snuck out. She is still on these grounds. In fact, Tova should still be in her home.
“I’m surprised you’re finally getting married.” Cora tilts her head up toward me. She is the daughter of Leo. Leo has already married off his two other daughters. Cora is the last one standing. I’ve heard there have been fights over her. Her father appears to be holding out. I honestly don’t understand it.
A strong floral smell comes from her, making a dull headache start to form. Tova always smells of wildflowers and sunshine. That floral smell is addicting. I'm not sure what's wrong with Cora's scent. It's probably artificial, much like the rest of her.
“It was time,” I respond, keeping my answer short to discourage further conversation. Cora shifts closer to me.
"It would have been nice to know you were searching for a wife."
"I wasn't searching." I had no intention of marrying. It was twofold. I'd long ago resolved myself to my obsession with Tova. There has never been an attraction or sexual desire toward another woman. I've never had it. It's why I knew I was so different from everyone else.
I could see the lust in some of my men's eyes when at a club or when business called for us to go to a strip club. I saw it more so at the brothel. The men would fall all over themselves with their need.
It used to piss me off that they could be so weak-willed for an orgasm. A thing you could handle yourself if need be. I didn't understand. That was until Tova. She has this strange hold over me that is unbreakable.
"Oh, you just had your father pick? My father wasn't aware. You know—"
"Don't." I cut her off when she brings her hand up to touch my shoulder. It stops a few inches from me. "Cora, listen very carefully to me." I lean down so no one else can hear me. "Do not come into my home and disrespect my fiancée." I let the coldness bleed into my words. "I don't care who your daddy is." Cora swallows audibly.