Page 115 of Isla

"No!" I say, holding tight to the pendant. "It's beyond perfect."

Getting back to his feet, he looks down at me, eyes shining. "I was hoping you would say that." He cups my chin and lowers his lips to mine, leaving me breathless. "Do you know what I haven't been able to stop thinking about?"

"What?" I breathe, toying with the hair at the base of his neck.

"How that diamond will glitter against your skin while I'm eating you out."

59

When we return home Sunday afternoon, Dylan and Theo are standing in the driveway waiting for us. They look so much like two little lost puppy dogs that I can't help but laugh as I leap from the car and throw my arms around them, peppering their faces with kisses.

"Better?" I ask, looking between them.

"It will only be better when we stop splitting up for dates," Theo grumbles.

"Well, I have good news for you then, grumpy, because that was my last single date, remember?" I can see the relief spreading over his face, and it tugs at something in my heart.

"Thank fuck. You have no idea how much I hate being separated from you."

"Pretty sure that's how we all feel, dumbass," Dylan says, elbowing Theo out of the way, practically bending me backward as he crushes his lips to mine.

"What do you guys think of living in the castle?" I ask, springing the question on them without warning as I straighten my skirt and top.

"Her old room is in a separate wing of the castle from Charlie andthe guys. We'd have all the privacy we want," Henry adds, grabbing our bags from the car.

"Can we see it before we give a final answer?" Dylan asks, his big brown eyes luminous in the afternoon light.

"Of course. I was planning on going over today so I could make a to-do list for the party. Do you guys want to come with me?"

"Speaking of the party, is it adults only?" Theo asks, holding the door as I walk inside.

"Yes, it's adults only. Your costumes can be as raunchy as you want," I answer, hoping they'll take that as a suggestion. I'd love to see them dressed like absolute sex gods.

"Will we get dressed together, or do you have other plans?" Henry asks, winding a strand of my hair around his finger.

I shake my head. "I'll be getting dressed with Lorna at the castle. It'll be a great way for me to remind her of the good old days, plus I want my outfit to be a surprise."

"Intriguing." Dylan's gaze rakes over my body like he's imagining all the possibilities of undress I could show up in.

"Do you guys want to head over there now?" I ask, antsy to get organized before the week officially starts.

"We may as well. Dylan and I bought stuff to make dinner, so we can work on that when we get back."

"Thank you both." They're truly lifesavers. I hadn't even thought about dinner. I probably would have nibbled on cheese, crackers, or something else equally unsatisfying.

My head is spinningby the time we make it over to the castle. I can't stop thinking about everything I need to do, whether I ordered enough linens or planned for enough food. I'm so preoccupied that I don't notice Theo holding me back as Dylan and Henry go inside.

"You okay?" he asks, backing me into the corner of the entrance, tipping my chin up,and studying my face.

"Yeah. There's just a lot to juggle right now."

"We can sit down and make a list when we get home. Maybe it'll help make you feel a little more organized."

"I'd like that," I breathe, already feeling a little less weight on my shoulders.

"I miss you, Sunflower." His caramel eyes are deep brown in the low light, his fingertips rough on my cheek as he sweeps a strand of hair off my face.

"I'm right here." I stretch up on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his neck and hanging on tightly. I practically purr when he buries his face in my neck, and breathes me in. He fiddles with the chain around my neck, eventually leaning back so he can look at the pendant.

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