I give her a narrowed look. The lake house was the place he and my mother used as their getaway. I’ve only been there a handful of times. It’s odd he wants to meet me there.
Very odd.
“I guess I’ll find out.”
“Yes, I suppose. Your father is quite an unusual man. Remarkable in every way but unusual. I guess he has his ways of doing things for a reason.”
“He does.” Nothing is truer than that.
“How are you holding up?”
I nod. “I’m okay.”
“My dear boy, there’s no way you’re okay. How can you be? You’ve been in a coma for the last three months, and you’ve woken up to a world where your mother and sister are dead. I’m not going to believe you’re‘okay.’”
I pull in a deep breath. “I have to be okay.” Because I can’t fall apart. That’s not me, although my insides have already collapsed.
“Please try to take it easy.” She rests her hands on my shoulders and gives me a reassuring squeeze. “You won’t help yourself if you burn out.”
“No.”
She releases me and gives me a smile. “I’m heading out to your place now, so I guess I’ll be the first to meet your bride-to-be.”
She sorted out the seamstress. I didn’t think she’d go to the fitting, though.
“You’re actually going to the house?” I raise my brows.
“Yeah. I thought I might get there a little early and meet Adriana properly. Is that okay with you?”
I’m not sure if it’s a good thing for Adriana to meet Sophia. Sophia has a gentle way about her that eases the tension, and I don’t exactly want that yet in my home. But, Sophia knows I won’t say no to her.
I never could.
“That’s fine.”
“Great. Well, I’ll see you later.”
“Sure.”
When she’s finished with my wife-to-be, I’ll take over. I need the distraction of Adriana’s body.
Right now, she’s the only thing keeping me sane.
16
Natalia
It’s been hours since Mikhail left. Yet my lips are still burning from his kiss.
I can still feel the spiral of ecstasy and the hunger that coursed through me for more.
Both are still very much there lingering, like a ghost in my head haunting me.
It’s just before lunch. I’ve been outside with Snow, taking a walk on the extensive grounds of my new home.
It’s much bigger than Raul’s fortress in Mexico, and while I love the idyllic view that came with living on the coast of Mexico, there’s something enchanting about walking around a winter wonderland.
It’s been snowing again. Not as heavily as it did on my first day here, but near enough.
