Page 70 of Forbidden Dark Vows

“Are you done?” Karl’s eyebrows slide upwards, the smirk still in place as if he finds the entire conversation amusing.

“No.” Harry’s expression is unreadable. “I came here tonight hoping that you would be willing to discuss what happened before. I thought that we might at least clear the air between you and Celia because we want you both at our wedding without the need for bulletproof vests and plexiglass shields. Or should I saywanted.”

Harry glances at me, and I understand that he doesn’t want to proceed without my agreement. I nod with my eyes. Anxiety is still coursing through my veins, and I don’t like the fact that it’s because of my future father-in-law.

“Don’t come to the wedding.” Harry shrugs. “It’s your choice, and you’re the one who will have to live with the decision. Your absence will not spoil our day because I intend to give Ruby the wedding of her dreams. I’ve already made it my life’s mission to make her the happiest woman on the planet.”

I can’t help smiling. No one has ever made me feel as special as Harry does, and I wouldn’t even care if he suggested that we leave everything behind and make a home on a remote island. My only regret would be leaving my dad behind.

“You’re quiet.” Karl aims this at my mom. “Think you can sit there and let me take the blame for all this, do you?”

“No one is blaming anyone, Dad.” Harry shakes his head, incredulous.

“Not how it sounds to me, son.” Eyes still locked on my mom Karl continues, “You must have something to add, some input to the preposterous notion of these two living happily ever after.”

“Ruby knows how I feel.” I sense my mom is clamming up like an oyster.

“Ha!” Karl inhales deeply and returns his attention to the menu. “Just as I thought. You had no balls then, and you still haven’t grown any.”

“Okay, I’ve heard enough.” Harry stands abruptly, and the waiter rushes over to save the chair from toppling backwards. Harry gives him a curt nod of gratitude, and the man slinks away again. “We’re leaving. Enjoy your meal. I’ll settle the bill before I go.”

I stand too. “Mom?” I don’t want to leave her here with this insufferable man, but she doesn’t move.

“Go, Ruby.” Her voice is laced with defeat, and I wonder if that’s why she hasn’t put up a fight. She knew it was game over when she was doing her makeup and getting ready to meet us here. “You got what you wanted. You always do in the end.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I always thought people were supposed to learn from their mistakes, but our parents have clearly learned nothing over the years.

Harry’s hand finds mine, his warmth spreading through me, although it does nothing to settle my nerves. I can’t wait to get out of here, breathe in the cool night air, and think about something else other than family.

“In case you’re interested,” Harry says, “we’ve set the date. We’re getting married in six weeks’ time.” He turns to lead me away as the waiter arrives with the bottle of Dom Perignon. “They’ll only be needing two glasses.”

“Sir?” The waiter’s eyes dart back and forth between us and the table. “Is everything okay, sir?”

“Everything is fine.” Harry salutes him as we find the maître d’ on our way out and settle the bill. “I think that went rather well.” Harry injects some humor into his tone as he helps me into my coat, and we step outside.

We grab hotdogs from a stand and eat them walking through the city, the aroma of fried onions and mustard following us around.

“Let’s not talk about it.” I need time to process the things that were said. The hotdog has satiated my hunger a little, but I still can’t shake the uneasiness that has lodged itself inside my chest all day.

Harry must sense it too. Back in our suite, he leads me by the hand into the bedroom and undresses me tenderly, sliding the dress over my shoulders and raising one foot at a time to help me out of it. When I’m naked, he whispers, “Lay down, Ruby,” and I do. I don’t have the energy to give anything back.

Starting with my eyelids, Harry kisses me all over, his tongue trailing to my earlobes, my neck, my nipples. My body responds instinctively, my skin coming alive to his touch. I close my eyes and savor every moment.

Harry licks his way down to my pussy, the tip of his tongue finding its way inside me and then quickly moving on, down the inside of my thighs, behind my knees, and onward to my toes. He massages my instep and sucks on my toes, one at a time, separating them, licking in between them, sending shivers down my spine. How can it possibly feel this good?

Without warning, when my brain is still consumed by the strange sensation of having my toes sucked, Harry spreads my legs and finds me again with his tongue. He inserts a finger, probing me while his tongue hits the spot and hesitates, listening for the sound of my shallow panting. He inserts a second finger and licks harder.

“You are so fucking beautiful, Ruby Jackson. I am never going to stop telling you this for as long as I live.”

I grab the pillow under my head with both hands and cling onto it tightly. Just as I’m about to explode, Harry stops. He kisses the inside of my thighs tenderly, his fingers still resting inside me.

“Want more?” His voice is husky.

“Yes,” I pant.

“I can’t hear you.”

“Yes!” I’m clinging onto my orgasm, waiting for him to finish what he started, and my voice is shrill.

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