This is one of those times I hate that my best friend lives states away. I could use her help right now. Marks would both love and hate to help with wedding planning. It would be fun to have her here. Not that I don’t love that I have my mom to help with anything I need. I do, but she’s so hesitant about this wedding. It doesn’t help that I can’t get a read on her with Warren’s mom, Rochelle.
The other night at the party, they’d gotten along. They always have, but things are different now. Orders had been given, and I know my mom is not a fan of that. I’m sure it has put a strain on whatever kind of friendship they do have.
“Have a look at these.” Rochelle hands me an iPad. “You can scroll through the pictures the florist sent over.”
“Thanks.” I take the tablet from her.
We’re up at the main house in the library. It’s one of my favorite rooms in the house. It has an old-school vibe with dark, rich woods covering everything from the floors to the walls, which are lined with thick wooden shelves from floor to ceiling.
There are chairs scattered about the room and a stone fireplace that is taller than I am. The tables even have those lights where you pull the chain to turn them on. The room has now been turned into ground zero for wedding prep. It’s all a lot to take in.
‘You favor yellow, right?’ Rochelle asks.
‘I do.’ I don’t wear the color often, so how did she know that? ‘Pink as well.’
‘Yes, that’s what War told me.’ Rochelle is now picking up a fancy plate that has a gold etching on it. I bet it’s real.
‘War told you?’ How the heck did he know that?
‘Yes. Isn’t that what you told him?’ A slow smile forms on her mouth. ‘During your late-night stroll?’ Heat rushes to my face thinking about the other night. Warren had kissed me. The kiss was unlike him. It was soft, and he took his time.
‘You’re blushing,’ Mom points out.
‘Oh, so did more than talking of wedding plans happen?’ I don’t think there had been much wedding talk at all. ‘Interesting.’ Rochelle’s brows pull together as if in deep thought about that.
‘What is interesting?’ I ask, wanting to know. It could give me a peek into Warren, who is far more complicated than I realized. The man can come off so cold, but beneath that is a whole other side to him. I’m trying not to get my hopes up again, but I have a sneaking suspicion that maybe I was right about him all along. There is another side to him that he doesn’t show people.
Maybe the softer, more open side of him is Warren, and the cold, unfeeling, stoic side to him is War. A name he doesn’t want me calling him while everyone else does.
‘I’ve never seen my son interested in a woman before.’
‘He doesn’t have much of a choice.’ I hand her the iPad back. ‘These are my favorite of the flowers.’ I try to steer the conversation back to the wedding, not wanting to expose a side of Warren that he may not want others to see.
‘Oh, these are beautiful.’ My mom nods in agreement with Rochelle. ‘War might be getting ready for a wife, but that doesn’t mean he’d be so invested in getting things ready for you. Hell, he told all of us to stay out of your garden.’
“My garden?” I shake my head. “It’s not mine.” Is that why he told her she couldn’t get flowers from the garden the other day?
“You might not call it yours, but your fiancé does.” Rochelle shrugs. “You see these?” She shows my mom the iPad. They start discussing place settings. There is a lot that goes into one of these weddings, but then again, this is all for show.
I pull out my phone to text Marks. I have to open a special app Marks had me download forever ago to send messages. I thought it was strange at first, but the more I got to know her, the more I understood it. She thinks everyone is watching everything. The Signal app makes it impossible for anyone to be able to ever read your messages.
I tell her about Rochelle’s comments. Marks is not into weddings or men unless it’s killing them in-game or within the pages of one of our books; she is still down for the tea. I had to fill her in a lot. It beyond shocked her when I told her I was getting married and to whom.
She knows some about my living situation. I don’t provide all the details or use full names. Never once have I said the Marino last name. I don’t think she’d know it, but I’d rather keep my distance from her and it.
Marks: He knew your favorite colors.
Marks: How?
That’s her question? I more wanted to know if he’s into getting married to me. Which is a stupid question because I’d overheard what he thought of the wedding already, so I don’t ask that question.
Me: I must wear it a lot?
Marks: You wear all kinds of colors. In fact, if I go off the clothes you make, I would say your favorite colors are pink and white.
That is true.
I should stop trying to look into every small thing when it comes to Warren. It was two days ago that I last saw him. He’s been gone. Not so much of a peep from him. I bet it’s something I should get used to, him coming and going, and me having no idea where or when he’ll be back. That, I can’t ask either.
I tuck my phone back away when my mom asks me a question, not wanting to be rude. For the next two hours, I respond to countless questions.
“Ladies.” My head jerks up at the sound of Warren’s voice. He’s here. I can’t help the butterflies that form in my stomach at the sound of his voice.
He avoids making eye contact with me, looking in every direction but mine. I guess I’m invisible all of a sudden. Whatever. I pull my phone back out. My mom and Rochelle respond with a hi. I keep my lips firmly pressed together, giving him a taste of his own medicine.
“How goes the planning?” He steps farther into the library, I see out of the corner of my eye.
“It’s going. We need to schedule a day to visit the dress shop. Sooner rather than later.” Rochelle responds.
“They will come here.”
“War, it’s not that simple. The store will have a hundred dresses for her to choose from.”
“Then I’ll send a giant truck and men to load them to bring here.” His tone broaches no argument.
“That’s too much.” Rochelle stands. “Is there an issue or threat I don’t know about?”
Threat?
“There is no need for Tova to go anywhere.” Whoa, now he’s got my full attention. Honestly, I realize I never actually go anywhere. This place is so big; going from one place to another around here feels as though you did go somewhere, but really you never leave the walls of the farm.
“Ah, you don’t want her going anywhere.”
“Me?” I jerk my head up, unable to pretend Warren isn’t right there, as handsome as ever. When my gaze lands on him, I notice his hair is a tad unruly and his eyes appear tired.
“For now, yes.” His eyes stay locked with her. “Tova, my office.” Is he ordering me around? I can’t help but be annoyed. I haven’t seen him in days after kissing me, and then he comes in all rude. Not bothering to spare me a glance either. Until now, when he has orders to give.
“Sweetheart, we—” my mom starts to say.
“Please.” The word echoes through the room, surprising all of us. At least I’m guessing because I once again have my eyes on Warren. “Please, come to my office so we can speak.” Warren steps toward me, holding his hand out.
“All right.” I take his hand, letting him lead me out of the library into his office. I’ve never been inside it before. Warren closes the door quickly behind us. I hear the lock click into place. “Warren.”
“Little mouse.” He tugs me into him, his mouth coming down onto mine in a possessive kiss that takes my breath away. It’s a complete surprise. Unlike our first kiss, this one is deep, possessive, and hungry.
His hand trails up my back, his fingers digging into my hair. He gives a small tug, and my head goes back farther so he can deepen this kiss even more. “Kiss me back,” he orders, taking my mouth again. I almost want to laugh, but I’m still a bit shocked. He lifts his mouth from mine again, staring down into my eyes. I can tell he is exhausted. “Please.”
I lean up and press my mouth to his this time. A low groan leaves him. When he thrusts his tongue into my mouth, I match his strokes. Warren presses his body against mine, pinning me to the door.
“Warren?” I moan when his mouth leaves mine to trail open-mouth kisses down my neck. I grip his shoulders, needing to hold on to them.
“You always smell of sunshine.” His hands go under my dress to my ass, lifting me off the ground. I wrap my legs around him, feeling the hardness of his cock press against my sex. He grinds against me, rubbing my clit, making it throb.
‘Ohh,’ I moan at the sensation.
‘I missed you.’ I dig my nails into him. His voice carries a glimmer of longing, not the normal coldness there usually is.
‘You miss me?’ I rock my hips against him. I know saying he missed me isn’t dirty talk, but it might as well be. It ignites a fire throughout my entire body. A yearning grows deep inside of me.
‘You have no idea.’ He lifts his head to meet my gaze. ‘I want to watch you come for me.’ He thrusts forward, his cock rubbing my clit.
‘Yes,’ I moan in agreement. I try to rock my hips more, but his hold on me tightens, pinning me in place.
‘I want to make you come.’ His tone leaves no room for argument. He thrusts forward again, only this time fast, rutting back and forth and hitting my clit perfectly.
There is no holding back. All the sensations and his words overload my body. It’s unlike anything I have ever felt before. It’s frightening and overwhelming, yet I yearn for it. I need it. Warren’s mouth latches on to my neck, sucking.
My body explodes. A keening cry leaves me as pleasure sweeps through me.
“Fuck yes,” I hear Warren say as the climax lingers inside of me. My whole body is as sensitive as a live wire.
A grunt comes from Warren, his body jerking.
“Sweet Tova,” he whispers into my ear. “I’ll never let you go.”
Is that a promise or a threat? I know it shouldn’t, but my heart hopes it’s the first. With Warren, you never really know. I suppose only time will tell.
