There were times I thought I imagined her that night on theIsabella. That maybe I was fucked up from the adrenaline, alcohol, and the gum for my motion sickness. I told myself she didn’t exist. That she was like a fever dream. A whirlwind of chaotic behavior that barreled into my life and then just…poof. Disappeared.
But I knew she was real. I can say it a million times, but she’ll know how much she means to me. I was telling her the truth when I said I’d give up anyone and anything for her. I’ll prove it to her.
“I’m useless…”
Our fathers made her feel that way. Evan didn’t help, but I feel like the damage was already done by the time she was delivered to Dollhouse. It was just a punishment. Her father sent her there because he didn’t know what else to do with her after she almost killed herself. She was no longer useful because she couldn’t have their children, and he didn’t want to deal with the trauma he created.
My cell vibrates in my pocket again, and I pull it out to see it’s a group text, this time from Bill to my brothers.
Package delivered.
Sighing, I place the phone back in my pocket. Gavin managed to get the girl to Carnage. At least something is going right.
The sound of the door to the bathroom opening and closing has me smiling. I take another sip of my drink and wait for her to tell me she’s ready.
“Kash?” comes her soft voice. She’s going to be timid after our fight. I know her mind is reeling over what I said.
“I’m your purpose.”Eve wants and tries to be independent, and I support that, but at the end of the day, she needs someone to control her. I will be that man.
“Out on the balcony,” I tell her before tipping back the glass to finish off the scotch. Then I set it on the railing and turn around.
Eve stands at the open sliding glass door with her hands behind her back, wearing her wedding dress. I take in the silky black material. It accentuates her narrow waist and flares at her hips, then falls to the floor with a short train. It has a slit up her right thigh, showing off the flawless skin that I’ve had my hands on. The sleeves fall off her shoulders, and it dips low in the front. But not in a revealing way. Just enough to make me want more.
Her hair is up and off her face, showcasing a set of diamond studs in her ears.
This woman is going to be my Lady, and I’m going to treat her as such. An angel in everyone’s eyes and my dirty little whore in our room.
She needs the balance.
Licking her lips, her gaze drops to my shoes, and I walk to her. Without saying a word, I cup her face, forcing her to meet my stare, and lower my lips to hers.
Her hands go to my hips, and she pulls me into her when I open my mouth and deepen the kiss.
I’ve always hated the idea of weddings. I feel like they’re not needed. But she deserves more. She napped on the short plane ride here, and I spent the entire time planning something I hope she loves. Between Hooke and Sin, they’ve come through for me. I couldn’t have done all this on my own with such short notice.
Pulling away, her lashes flutter open, and she looks at me with apprehension in her eyes. “You look beautiful, angel.”
She blushes and I love it.
“We better get going.” Taking her hand, I usher her back through the room and down the stairs to the front of the house.
Hooke bought this house a couple of years ago, and I don’t think he’s stayed one night here.
Stepping out onto the front porch, she comes to a stop when she sees a limo sitting in the circle drive. “Kash?”
“Come on.” I tug on her hand, and she rolls her eyes, giggling.
She crawls into the limo, and I get in behind her. Sitting down, I close the door and reach into the pocket of my jacket and remove the soft fabric. “I need you to wear this.”
Her eyes drop to the material, and she swallows as her eyes meet mine. Nodding, she licks her red-painted lips. “Okay.”
I smile at her. No apprehension. No questions. She’s letting me have full control of her and the situation. I’m not going to let her down.
“Face the door,” I tell her.
She turns the best she can, giving me her back, and I place the silk material around her head and tie it gently so it doesn’t mess up her hair.
“You may sit back.”
