Page 43 of Priceless
They’d already seen the way Laura acted when we were in Frank’s study, so they probably suspected. But I didn’t want to do anything or say anything until I was already the hell out of here. Even with one day left, things could get worse than locks on cabinets.
Lifting a hand, Everett brushed his thumb over my lower lip where I was biting it again. He freed it and soothed the skin. And I was going to pass out because that was the single hottest thing that had ever happened in my life, sad as it was.
“Once you’re ours, I have some questions I want you to answer, little nymph.”
“I’m not little.” I sidestepped the emotion that ran through me at the word ours.
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Just nymph then. Though last time I checked, I was still quite a bit taller than you. You’re little to me.”
My face flushed hot. It didn’t feel like he was joking or hiding his meaning. He meant it.
“Nymph?” I asked, mouth dry.
“Mysterious, beautiful, and a woman of many talents. Or maybe I should call you a siren.”
I laughed then. “I’m none of those things.”
Pretty, yes. Beautiful was a stretch. Mysterious? No. With the exception of my aunt and uncle, I tried to be honest and straightforward. And flowers were the only thing I’d ever been good at. So one talent.
He frowned, but didn’t correct me. That was fine. I didn’t need them to flatter me.
Ruby came into the room. “Mind if I toss a few things in with yours, Ocean? I don’t have much here, but I figured this would be easier.”
I stared at her. “What?”
She stared right back. “You didn’t think I was staying here without you, right? I’m coming with you. Got it all set up with your fiancés.” She gave Everett a wave. “Thank you for that.”
My mouth was open in shock. She’d been in our house for years doing what was needed and helping me when we had events and such. “That’s amazing. Yes, of course, do whatever you need to.” I looked at him. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for something like that, Ocean. We’re happy to.”
Ruby left us, and I suddenly became aware of how close we were, his hand still on my lower back. “Where are Micah and Cameron?”
“Annoyed they’re not here with me. But we didn’t want to overwhelm you. Annoyed probably isn’t the right word. More like feral.”
Just when I was about to ask him why on earth they would be feral, my stomach interrupted us. I turned red with embarrassment. “It’s been a busy day. Kind of forgot to eat.” Oh, and my aunt is on the warpath and actively trying to prevent me from eating between now and when I say I do.
Everett just smiled again. “I shouldn’t keep you too long. You need to eat something, and if I stay here too long, I’ll be tempted to take you home, when that’s for tomorrow night.”
“Right.”
God, it really was unfair how gorgeous he was. Thick dark hair, icy blue eyes I already knew could both freeze or turn so warm it heated you from the inside. I wasn’t going to think about his body. Because I couldn’t. Especially not today, and especially when I imagined them seeing me after the wedding.
The idea that they might regret it and change their minds. Have an annulment, or even just decide to walk away from me after looking at me…
I shook the thought away. It was the fear I’d had with every partner I’d ever had, few that there were. But dwelling on it right now wasn’t going to get me through the night.
“You really are an Ocean,” he murmured. “So much going on beneath the surface. Hopefully we’ll be able to see it someday.”
Then he let me go and cast a glance around the quickly emptying space. “I’ll see you tomorrow, wife.”
“See you tomorrow.”
He strode out of my room, and I had to catch my breath. The way he said the word wife was positively sinful.
Ruby came up beside me and bumped my shoulder with hers. “I don’t know all the details of how we got here, but things could definitely be worse. Husbands like that?”
“Yeah.” I swallowed, voice hoarse. “It could definitely be worse.”
