Page 49 of Covenant

My shoulders bunch. “Why the fuck would we need to kiss?”

“Don’t husbands do that?”

I count backward from ten in my head. “We’ll do that if we need to. I don’t want to fucking practice anymore. I’m done.”

He’s silent as he places his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him. I make sure I’m stiff and unyielding against him. He doesn’t seem to notice though. By the time we arrive at the gala, waiting our turn to exit the limo, Matthias turns toward me, his thumb brushing against my lips.

“Make sure to smile. You love me, remember? You’re my smitten husband.”

The limo pulls forward and the door is opened. Matthias steps out, straightening his suit jacket as he goes, and I take a deep breath and follow him, taking his offered hand and feeling his fingers curl around mine.

Warm. Strong.

So fucking familiar.

“Come along, Wy,” he says, and I follow him, making sure to school my face as we walk into the elaborate building. I can feel eyes on me, some people I’ve never met before, some I remember socializing with. I know they’re curious about why I’m with Matthias.So much for going ignored.Suddenly, I’m glad Matthias fixed my outfit. My earlier gambit feels childish now with all these people watching me.

I can’t help but lean into him, letting him shield me from the gawkers, and he brings the back of my hand up to his lips, kissing me softly. He really needs to stop putting his mouth on me.

But I don’t let it show. Of course I don’t. I gaze up at him and meet his dark stare.

His pupils dilate, his tongue flicking out over his lips. But then my gaze is wrenched away from him when a woman in a long sequined dress moves past us, the crowd all going in the same direction.

“Best get in there. And put your best foot forward. You’re going to be meeting the family,” Matthias squeezes my hand, and I gulp nervously.

We move through the doors and into a flood of people mingling around a large room. Chandeliers hang above us, illuminating a large dance floor. Standing tables are set up around the room with flowing white tablecloths draped over them and floral arrangements in the middle. Through the bustling crowd, caterers move around with trays of food and drinks. Everything looks like the past I once had. Rich, exorbitant, excessive.

I can’t believe I’m back here once more. Because of Matthias.

No, because of The Firm.

As much as I want to believe that, I know it’s not true. The Firm filled my bank accounts, but Matthias was the one who ensured my return to my former life.

I wish it made me hate him more. But it doesn’t.

And that’s what I hate.

14

WYATT

“Champagne?” a server asks. I reach out and take one, guzzling it with impressive speed.

Matthias tuts and takes the glass from me, setting it on a table we move past. “Don’t get drunk just to make it through this evening. I won’t have you acting a fool.”

“I never act foolish,” I retort, and he reaches out, brushing his thumb against my bottom lip, wiping away a drop of champagne that lingers there.

“Better,” he says, lowering his voice and bringing his lips to my ear. He whispers, the words meant for me and me alone. “If you would’ve let me, I’d have kissed that away.”

The way he says it makes my heart thunder in my chest, the tips of my ears growing warm. “If you’d tried, I’d have bitten you.”

He chuckles and stands up straight, just as a man and a woman approach. Dignified, wealthy. I can tell from the set of their shoulders, from the way the fabric they wear drapes across their figures perfectly. These people have never been told “no” a day in their lives.

I wonder what others think when they see me at Matthias’s side.

“Look who it is,” the man drawls, his eyes sliding over the two of us.

“Wylder,” Matthias says. “I didn’t think you’d be here tonight.”

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