Page 64 of Reveal Me
‘With great difficulty.’ I watch as he dresses, then heads for the restroom at the side of the room. He returns with a warm wet wash cloth and proceeds to clean me up. The expression on his face is one of utter tenderness.
‘You’re stunning, you know that?’ He dips his face to brush his lips over mine.
‘I feel like you’re the first person to really see me.’
‘I see you, Layla. I see you.’ He pulls me into his chest, enveloping me in his huge embrace.
I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, resting a hand on the nape of his neck. ‘I want a tour of your house so I can dream of you sleeping there when I get back to the castle.’
‘I won’t be sleeping. I’ll be lying awake thinking of how I can keep you here. Three months was never going to be enough.’ He releases me from his arms, takes my small hand in his huge one and guides me out into the corridor.
‘You’ll need your sleep for tomorrow night.’ I fire him a wink.
He winces. ‘About tomorrow night.’
‘Don’t tell meyourbusy schedule doesn’t permit our date?’ I throw his own words back at him with a smile, but my heart is sinking inside of me. The idea of not seeing him tomorrow is already killing me. Especially after tonight’s admissions.
‘It’s Caelon’s stag night.’ He sighs.
‘Your brother?’
‘Yep.’
‘Where is it?’
‘Rian’s club.’
‘Is it a club like this?’ It’s a battle to keep the jealousy from my voice.
‘Not exactly.’ A sheepish look creeps across his features. ‘It’s a gentlemen’s club.’
‘Strippers?’
‘Dancers,’ he corrects.
‘Naked dancers?’ I snap as we reach the end reception area. Dominic eyes us warily.
‘Don’t worry, Dom,’ Sean flashes his friend a smirk as he reaches for my coat. ‘We’re just having our first domestic. The princess doesn’t want me going to the Gentlemen’s club.’
Dominic guffaws. ‘I could entertain her here for you, if you’re busy?’ His eyes flash with mirth.
‘Don’t even think about it,’ Sean snarls, all trace of a smirk evaporating from his face.
‘You still owe me money for the bet.’
‘What bet?’ I narrow my eyes at Dominic.
Sean shrugs, placing his hand on the small of my back. ‘He and Larissa bet I couldn’t share you.’
‘And we were right.’ Dominic gloats, folding his arms across his broad chest. ‘His obsession with you was crystal clear the second he laid eyes on you. It was written all over his face.’
‘Thanks for that, mate.’ Sean knocks his shoulder against Dominic’s roughly before wrapping my coat around my shoulders. The elevator doors open and two members enter. I freeze for a second before remembering I have my mask on.
‘I’ll transfer the money later,’ Sean shakes Dominic’s hand good naturedly, nods at the members, then guides me into the lift. He slips his hand into mine. The gesture feels so intimate. I squeeze his fingers, and he squeezes mine back as we exit the building.
The February air is crisp and cold, but I feel a warmth inside that I didn’t feel when I arrived tonight. Sean guides me towards a Santorini black Jaguar and opens the passenger door for me.
Moonlight spills across his darkening expression. ‘If you have to attend any other public events to “buy time with me in private” he grimaces, ‘can you please forewarn me so I don’t have to sit through the show?’
