“Go and find out,” he says, landing a kiss on my forehead and stepping away. I want his heat to consume me, but Moon Goddess knows we don’t have time.
I guess it’s time to get out of bed now. My feet drag along the floor as I leave the incredibly comfortable bed. I close the bathroom door behind me, pulling out my phone to call mysister. I wouldn’t find the answers I needed by moping in my hotel bed. The rings go on and on, and just as I am about to give up hope, my sister finally answers. “Where the hell are you?” I hear her whisper-yell into the phone.
“We’re still invited?” I ask, biting my lower lip in nervousness.
“Willow, are you serious right now? Get your ass here. I need you for the family photos.” A smile breaks out on my face. We are still invited. Rushing from the bathroom, I hang up the phone with the promise to be there in twenty minutes.
“Eddie, we’re still on. Like super on!” I excitedly shout as I grab my makeup bag.
“I knew we would be, Buttercup,” he yells back as we switch places in getting ready. Thank goddess I could put myself together fast when I needed to. I wet down my hair, refreshing my curls, while running a hand down my face. I’d have to go basic with the makeup, and honestly, it was probably for the best since that’s all I know how to do. Blending my blush in I catch a glimpse of the dress hanging on the curtain rod. I wasn’t a huge fashionista like Flora, so when Eddie asked to pick my dress out, I was more relieved than anything. The dress is a beautiful silk maxi dress that hugs all my curves. This was one of those dresses I just had to have but never had anywhere to wear it to. This dress is stunning and was collecting dust both in my closet and in my mind. The warm orange color compliments my dark skin, and, gosh, how did he find this? Is this why he picked a brown suit over black?
I step out of the bathroom in my heels. Eddie is sitting on the bed with one leg off the bed and one leg on, his suit jack on but wide open. His glasses sit perfectly on his face, and I blush at the sight of my hot date. He is scrolling on his phone before he looks up at me. I have to admit; I am darn sure excited to be showing him off as my date. “Eddie, you are joyously handsome.”
“And you are breathtakingly gorgeous,” he replies easily. His eyes drip down my body, pressure following his eyes trail. I’m drawn forward by his eyes alone. No sooner am I tucked between his legs, one still bent to the side of me and the other planted on the ground as he leans up to kiss me. His lips consume mine, and I’ve got his neck trapped between my hands. I take each breath he slips between our lips. His tobacco and vanilla smell eats me up whole. He leans back, taking me with him before I snap back to reality, pushing away from his chest and standing up straight. We have a mating ceremony to go to. My sister’s ceremony is not one I want to miss.
“Mmm, stop. We have a mating ceremony to go,” I say, stepping out of his grasp. We have to save our smutty spicy time for later.
“Only if you say so. I’m itching to get another taste,” he says, leaning up and trying to capture my lips again.
“Eddie Enchanted! Let’s go,” I nearly yell, pushing myself to stand out of reach. I pray my beet red blush will fade by the time we get to the venue. There is no way it will pass as makeup blush.
He swoops in behind me on my way down to the hotel lobby. His shadow takes hold of my body. He makes me whole. Beautiful. Enticing. He’s made me feel more in the last couple of months than I had in my whole life before, and that thought is scary. The idea of ever being with Milo is horrifying. My sudden realization of Milo’s family being at the ceremony crushes me like a grand piano. That sure knocks the blush off my face. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m pale now.
“Oh my goddess,” I mutter as Eddie opens the car door. I stand in the car doorway with my hand pressed against my lips. “I’m bringing a date.”
I don’t want to admit I’m scared of Milo’s family’s reaction to Eddie. Would hate be spewed at my sister’s ceremony because I’m bringing a date? Should I stay home?
“Whatever horrid thoughts you’re having right now aren’t changing our plans. We’re in this together, no matter what. Now get in the car, Willow.” Eddie’s voice is low and tight. He sends shock waves through my system, my head shooting up to look at Eddie.
I can’t say anything, though. Not yet. My words tangle in my throat, and I can’t get a full thought together. I only blink at him before getting into the car.
He reaches over me, pulling my seatbelt on, and I’m too dazed to stop him. His switch flipped, and I think he knows what I was thinking. He doesn’t say much, though. I don’t know if my guilt for the hesitation is eating at me and causing me to overthink, but I hate that I hesitated in bringing Eddie. Eddie is—Eddie is mine. Right? He’s mine. He’s... my mate?
“Don’t let the thoughts of others stop you,” he grumbles. One hand on the wheel and the other caressing my thigh. I am trying to focus on his hand on me, his strong fingertips slightly digging in. He’s right. Of course, he is right, logically. Emotionally, his words are easier to say than they were to do.
“How did you know?” I ask, staring at him as he keeps his eyes on the road.
“Nothing else could possibly ruin your excitement for your sister’s mating ceremony. That’s how I know.” I let out a hum. It’s about all I can do right now.
“It’s hard,” is all I can say, left speechless. “What if... what if you coming as my date causes problems? What if me coming at all creates an issue? I can’t ruin her special day.”
“That’s not in your control. Harper invited you, did she not?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Then she wants you to be there. I’m sure she’s thought of all the potential conflicts that could arise, especially after last night, but she chose you,” he says, like it is so simple. So obvious. Yetan arrow pierces my heart. She chose me. So I should choose myself too.
“Okay,” I say as I slide my hand over his on my thigh. More and more, this man shakes the foundation of my center. At the time, I’d thought Milo was a great man, but I connected and communicated with Eddie on a level so deep and so different it shocks my system.
I know I was wrong.
We were wrong.
Milo couldn’t have been my mate.
There is no way in this universe that he could have been my mate.
Not when Eddie makes me feel like this.
