Chapter 44 – Bonfire Night

Ella

“Are you ready?” Sinclair asks, standing behind me in the mirror. I have to stop myself from staring at him. He’s dressed down from his standard suit, but somehow he looks even more gorgeous and intimidating than usual. In sleek black slacks and a simple white dress shirt, rolled up to his elbows and unbuttoned to his sternum, he looks powerful and laid back at once.

“That depends, what do you think?” I reply, extending my arms to show him my dress and get his opinion. I’m wearing a sleek velvet dress in ink bottle green. When the dressmaker suggested velvet I was skeptical, but now that I see the finished product I can fully appreciate her vision. It’s simple but sophisticated, not to mention incredibly cozy.

“Hmm,” Sinclair replies, striding nearer. “I think you’re missing something.”

“Like what?” I ask, turning back to the mirror to study my reflection. My makeup and hair are done, I found matching heels despite the infinite challenges of matching uncommon dress colors, and I’ll wrap myself in my new coat (courtesy of Sinclair) before we leave.

“Like this.” He beams, pulling out a thin black jewelry box.

I look down at it in surprise. “For me?”

“And just who else do you think I would be buying jewelry for?” He teases.

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “For all I know you have a girlfriend on the side.”

Sinclair’s impossibly deep voice sounds even richer than

someone else when he’s supposed to be happily mated, but he’s expressly told me that everything will be different when he finds his second chance mate. It seems strange that he should make such a firm assurance in this intimate way, it feels as though he’s blurring the line of our arrangement. The little voice in my head might not mind this,

feelings, and he narrows

towards the box. “Can I see

He sighs, flipping open the smooth black lid. Inside the box is a stunning silver necklace, dotted with diamonds and

hand. “Sinclair,

turning my body back towards the mirror. I don’t know why, but I’m holding my breath as he drapes the necklace over my collar and secures it at my nape. My fingers

honestly. “But I feel

his brow. “Why do you say

the last minute. He’s been so sweet and

find Sinclair’s penetrating gaze far too observant at the best of times, and sometimes I want to be able to

but you are carrying my heir, and you are my date for the festival.” He slides his strong arms around my waist from behind, still staring at me through the looking glass, “This is not a sham. This

stone. In my heels my head actually reaches his shoulder, and though I look very small and delicate beside him, the fine clothes and jewelry make me

as though Sinclair is reading my mind, “Will you be upset if I tell you how stunning

up at him from beneath my lashes, “I don’t know, why

my spine before he’s even said a word. He purrs a laugh at the feeling of my body trembling against him, obviously amused

seems terribly unfair of him to tease me this way. Of course, I

growls in response, but it’s not the dangerous kind he makes when he’s angry. This is low and sultry, and butterflies burst to life in my belly even before I feel him growing hard against my backside. “I suppose I deserved

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255