Page 140 of Bad Little Bride

I nod, unfolding my legs from the chair and pulling my robe a little tighter, so my breasts don’t pop out.

“Good. We have a very busy day ahead. I’ve had your breakfast delivered. Can you be ready by ten, it’s nearly nine now?”

“I can.” I eye her warily, a strange sort of excitement curling her features. “Why?”

“As I said. Busy, busy day.”

“Grandma.” I tip my head. “Are you trying not to smile?”

“No, dear. I don’t smile.”

I scoff, and just before she turns away…she smiles.

Now I’m really concerned.

I hearthem before I see them and my feet move quicker along the stairs. It’s not until I’m rounding the last curve that familiar blonde hair comes into view.

Rocklin whips around, a smile on her lips as she cocks her hip out. “About damn time. He’s literally holding us hostage in the foyer.”

Bronx nods, what looks to be a mimosa in her right hand…the bottle of champagne hanging from her left.

“I quite like the view from here.” Delta smiles, taking in the architecture and gliding along the floor, trying to get closer to the window leading to the back.

My confusion must show, not only in the fact that I’m frozen in place, but on my face as my sister’s sass turns to a scowl.

She takes a step toward me, but then Enzo comes around the corner, beating her. My eyes lock onto his, the golden hue shinning brighter today in his dark purple suit.

“Little Bride,” he murmurs, not stopping until he’s on the step before me, yet still I have to tilt my head the slightest bit to hold his gaze. “You look good enough to eat, as always.”

“Why are they here?” I whisper, not realizing my palms found their way to his chest until he closes his fist around my wrist, drawing my left hand to his lips.

With his eyes on me, he kisses the spot just over the tattoo, his eyes blazing with a fiery need that sparks heat in my core.

“I love you,” he whispers only for me. “Did you know that?” His words are so calm, so clear.

And a complete shock to the system.

I tense so hard a shiver runs through me, refiring my nerves all at once and without warning.

My stomach flips, a trembling sensation I can’t quite explain taking over until it’s spreading across every limb.

Butterflies and tiny tingles. That’s what the feeling is.

“I…” I swallow back the lump in my throat, eyes wide and locked on his. “No. I did not.”

He hums lightly, a small smile gracing his lips as he leans in. My chin tips, meeting his lips in a ghost of a kiss before he shifts, creating a fiery path along my jaw on their way to my ear.

My eyes close, fists clenching over his tie as his warm breath fans across my skin.

“Well, now you do,” he rasps. “There is no one I need more. No one I trust as completely. It’s you and me, baby. Through the fires of hell, I will stand by your side. Always.”

His words break past barriers, clawing at my defenses and shredding them piece by piece until there’s nothing left but him and me and this moment.

Goosebumps spread across my skin, and I don’t realize he’s pulled back until the pad of his thumb slides along my lower lip. My eyes peel open with effort, and the look in his nearly has my knees buckling.

It’s all right there in his steady gaze, the truth to his words.

He means every one; I can feel it deep in my bones.

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