Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 80507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“Are you trying to pick a fight with me right now?”
“Why would I do that, darling? I won the girl.”
“Won? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means my ring is on your finger, so you need to remember that.”
“Tristian, what the hell—”
He grabbed my hand molding me close to his body, pulling me tighter into his strong, muscular frame. He guided my arms up around his neck with no space between us before wrapping his arms around me, proving my point.
“Just dance with me.”
I swallowed hard and nodded at his request, not wanting to make a scene when everyone was happy, enjoying themselves and the party. Sighing in defeat, I laid my cheek on his chest, and he placed his chin on top of my head.
“Why can’t it always be like this?”
“What do you mean?” I countered, peering up at his sincere expression.
“Simple. Easy. All I’ve ever wanted was you, Eden. You know that, right?”
I didn’t say anything.
“Your silence is deafening, Red.”
“Please stop calling me that.”
He scoffed out, “Now for that, I get a genuine response?”
“I honestly don’t know what you’re trying to get at. I wouldn’t have married you—”
“If my brother hadn’t given you up? Where is he now, Eden? Because I haven’t seen him in two years. I’m the one who’s been here with you. Don’t you see that?”
“Whose fault is that, Tristian? What did you say to him?”
“The truth.”
“Which is what? What’s the truth?”
“That he needed to stay away from us.”
“Us? Or me?”
“My family.”
“Interesting statement considering he’s your brother.”
“Fuck him.”
“Tristian!” I said a little too loudly.
He leaned, breathing into my ear, “Oh wait, I forgot. You already did that. Have you spread your legs since the last time he took what was mine?”
I shoved him, unable to hold back.
“Eden, shit.” He shook his head. “I’ve been drinking. I didn’t mean that.”
“Yeah, you seem to do that a lot.”
“Look, I’m sorry, all right?” His easy smile was back, his eyes drilling into mine like he needed me to believe him this time when it was always the same argument.
“You know what they say; a drunk person speaks the truth.”
“Then, you should start drinking so I can get it from you.”
The conflicting emotions came tumbling down on me, crippling me. I suddenly needed some fresh air, a moment to myself.
To think.
To breathe.
To cry.
I hated showing weakness in front of anyone. Before he could throw more poison, I snapped around, making my way toward the outside rose garden of the banquets where my birthday was being held, and I could be alone. Giving him my indifference the instant I stepped into the exquisite garden where intricate roses lined every step in my direction.
Inhaling a long, deep, sturdy breath, I stood in front of the fountain in the center of the garden, trying to distract myself by the water and the soft glow it gave everything around me. Usually, this view would have me awestruck and at peace, but I couldn’t stop the emotions that were consuming my mind and body.
And then just like that, it unexpectedly changed…
For the first time in two years, I felt him.
Romeo.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“People change. It’s just a matter of whether they die before it happens.” —Orochimaru
Eden
He approached from behind, and I had no need to turn around to know who it was. Had I summoned him? I supposed in a way I had. The water gurgled and splashed in the fountain as though to assure me it bore witness to our presence.
“It’s you, isn’t it?” I whispered, my heart pounding against my chest with such force it was physically painful.
“Isn’t that why you texted me this morning?” he countered in a husky, masculine tone.
Why did that simple response strike such a chord inside of me? “I texted you because—”
“You miss me,” he chimed in. “Not that I can blame you; if I were married to an accountant, I’d have blown my fucking brains out at this point.”
I wanted to reply, but what could I say to that?
Already, my lips twitched with the need to react. Romeo never censored himself; he was blunt, chaotic, unapologetic about himself, and the way he saw the world.
And that included his brother.
I heard his footsteps follow that brought him closer to where I stood in front of the fountain. My breathing hitched as soon as I felt him come up behind my shaky frame. I didn’t turn around, I didn’t move, afraid if I did he’d disappear like he was just a figment of my imagination.
I closed my eyes, waiting for I didn’t know what. His warmth increased the closer he got, convincing me I would combust any moment. We weren’t even touching, yet his presence engulfed me. Owned me. He was everywhere.
His hands.
His lips.
His love.
He leaned in just inches away, letting his whiskey breath brush against my ear. Assault all my senses. Shivers coursed through me and down my spine while my knees buckled.