Chapter Seven
The theater lightsbathed the lobby in a soft glow.Her arm was looped on James’s, and she was very much aware of the people whispering and pointing.Some were Coalition members and some not.Her place was to be by James’s side, and if he wanted her to leave, she was to obey without hesitation.She knew the role she had to play.
“James,” the mayor greeted with a polite smile.
“Mayor,” he greeted.“You remember my fiancée, Kleya Dane, correct?”
“Ah, yes,” the mayor replied.“Nice to see you again, Miss Dane.My wife had to go powder her nose before the play begins.”
He clearly waited for James to send her to powder her nose as well.Code for, ‘we men want to talk shop.’Only, he didn’t, so she stayed and plastered a dumb-blonde smile on her face.Leaving the mayor looking awkward in the fallen silence.
“Well, yes,” he said, moving on.Politicians did have a way of sidestepping tricky situations.“Will you and your grandfather be attending Howard’s funeral?”
“We will,” James assured him.“I believe there is a reception after, to celebrate his life.”
“There is.Veilstone Tower will be shrouded in mourning.”
The lights flickered, signaling the audience to find their seats.
“Then we’ll see you tomorrow,” James said.
“Yes.”The mayor gave a respectful nod to her.“Miss Dane.”
He turned and left them.
“He wanted you to boot me away.”
“I know,” James said, patting her hand that gripped his bicep.“I didn’t want to talk shop this evening.”
They made their way from the lobby to the Roarke family box.As they sat, Kleya looked at the other boxes and recognized a few people.Her parents waved enthusiastically from one, and she waved back.She rarely came to the theater, only when it was something she really wanted to see.
“Since our talk last night, I’ve about everything finalized for the wedding,” she announced, watching as people rushed to find their seats.
“That was fast.”
“Honestly, since we’re keeping it small, there wasn’t much to plan.”
“Who’s on the guest list?”
“My parents, obviously, and they invited the Coalition members.Your grandfather, of course.Lark.Am I forgetting anyone?”
“No.”He reached for her hand and threaded their fingers.“I’m eager to make you my wife.”
“Oh?”she inquired with a little smirk.“Why?”
He cupped the back of her head with his other hand, and planted a filthy, delicious kiss right on her lips.He even managed to slip his tongue in when she gasped.When he pulled back, he whispered into her ear.
“I’m going to fuck you until you scream my name.”
She shivered in anticipation.Perhaps I should move up the date.
****
The next day, fittingly, had intermittent showers.With that came a bitingly cool breeze, so Kleya made sure to dress warmly in her somber clothing.She wore black slacks, a black sweater, long black coat, and matched a felt hat to help keep the mist from her face.
