Chapter 3
“How on earthdid I accumulate all this rubbish?” Darci tossed the pile of books onto the couch opposite her and groaned. “I’ve barely made a dent in packing, and I still have to go see the florist.”
She flopped onto the black-painted, wooden chest impersonating a coffee table, and glared at the chaos surrounding her—CDs, DVDs, and tons of knickknack nonsense.
“My offer still stands,aleannan. Just say the word, and I’ll get someone to pack your things and finish the preparations for the wedding.”
“What?” Her gaze rushed to Blaéz in disbelief. “You want to leave our wedding plans in the hands of some stranger?”
He dropped the CDs into a box, pushed the books aside and sat in front of her on the couch.
It was still a shock to see those stunning blue irises when he’d once sported eyes the color of glaciers. He was her entire life. Literally. If he died, then she would, too, considering he’d shared his soul with her to save her from dying. However, ifshedied first, then the part of his soul she housed would return to him.
“No.” Blaéz grasped her hands, his thumb playing with her engagement ring. “I want my mate to be happy about the coming event.”
“I am happy.”
“You don’t look it.”
Sighing, she brushed back several curly strands from her face that had escaped her barrette. “It’s probably just wedding jitters.”
His big body stilled, eyes narrowed. “You don’t want to do this?”
She scrunched her nose at the dark, possessive note in his voice. “I want to do it all with you. It’s just that there’s so much to sort out in such a short time. If it was completely up to me, I wouldn’t. Blaéz, I feel you inside here”—she tapped her chest—“and our soul sharing is stronger than any document that says we are legally married. Besides, I know you only want this wedding because of my family—eeek!” A shriek left her as he yanked her to him and settled her on his lap.
“No…” He kissed a path down her jaw and to the corner of her mouth. “I want to give you everything.” His tongue flicked between her lips and twined with hers. A moan escaping her, she tightened her hold on him.
Despite the no-sex agreement between them two days ago, Blaéz still kissed her in that all-consuming way he had.
God! She missed him like crazy. Why had she teased him about abstaining? Every time with Blaéz was a new sensual experience she never wanted to miss. At the hard ridge of his sex pressing against her core, she bit back a whimper. Obviously, she was an idiot. Even though she’d unintentionally started this, she refused to back down. Before she lost her mind and the bet, she broke their kiss. “No.”
His chest heaving, he stared at her, his eyes a burning blue. “You do know I’m going to make you pay for this—for tormenting me?”
Laughter fell out of her. “Probably. But think how much more exciting it will be on our wedding night? Something to look forward to.”
“Indeed.” He dumped her ass on the couch and rose, adjusting his erection in his jeans, the look in his eyes firmly blaming her for his discomfort. Oh, she agreed wholeheartedly. Since this wasn’t really his fault, she could do something for him.
Sitting up, she reached for the stud on his jeans. “Let me take care of that for you.”
“No—” He grasped her hands and shook his head. “If you insist on waiting, I can, too. I’ve lived millennia without sex. A week and a half won’t hurt—except for my balls, because every time I see you, I want to be inside you.”
Her throat dried up, and her knees turned to Jell-O. Suddenly the days stretched like years. It was going to be total hell.
“Right, then.” Blaéz glanced away, surveying the mess she’d made while packing up her living room, appearing calm, cool, and collected once more.
How the heck could he turn himself off like that?
“Leave the rest for after the wedding.” He gestured to the open-plan kitchen and the upstairs area she hadn’t touched. “After we come back.”
“From where?” Her gaze veered sharply to his. “Where are we going?”
“Figure of speech, because I plan to keep you in bed the entire time and make up for this no-sex tradition…” He paused, glancing at the door. “The females are here. I’ll see you later. I need a godsdamn fight.”
At his gloomy expression, she didn’t say anything, knowing he used training as an outlet. A moment of pity for his sparring partner took hold. Once, not so long ago, Blaéz fought daily, violently, which left him bruised, bleeding, and with broken bones just so he could feel. Even though it was all in the past now, it still made her stomach hurt at how much he’d gone through when he’d lacked his soul.
He opened the front door just as Echo’s dark blue Merc SUV came to a purring halt in front of the brownstone.
Blaéz didn’t kiss her like he usually would, and knowing how thinly leashed his control was, she let him be. Still, she wouldn’t be denied some contact. She pressed her lips to his chin.
