Page 39 of Wild Ever After
He lifted her wrist with the steel band on it. “The same as this, my love. A promise.” He kissed her soundly on the mouth, followed by a lovely kiss to her pulse beneath the steel.
Bella was again speechless, but didn’t have a chance to form any words before Harry had tugged her across the room and out the door.
By the time they got outside, the rain had subsided enough that they could walk to Sunday’s. “I have to warn you,” Bella said. “Keira’s family is rather large. I don’t know if they’ll all be in attendance, but if they are, it’ll be loud with a lot of talking over each other.”
“Kind of like politics, then.”
“Or your family.”
“Touché.”
Harry had one brother who’d died in a car accident, but he had three sisters and more cousins than anyone knew what to do with. Most of the time, he didn’t want to lay claim to anyone who shared the name Walker. She knew they were part of the reason Harry sent her home to Baltimore. His family lived for and thrived on their scandals and the more press they could garner from them, the better.
Harry was the only politician to come out of the very wealthy South Carolina Walker family. The rest were society born and bred. They had millions which led them to believe they could do and say whatever they wanted, to whomever they wanted. It made for interesting gossip, but horrible for living with.
They’d left Harry alone for the most part, but on the rare occasions they wanted his attention, they stopped at nothing to get it.
“They had a blast with what happened, didn’t they?” she asked, speaking of his family.
“I heard from Mother and she clucked her tongue at me and told me I should’ve known better than to trust anyone. After all, I was a Senator. No one else said a word and as far as I know, they didn’t speak about it to the press.”
“That’s surprising.”
“It is. Then again, they like you and our kids more than they like me, so…”
“Thank the good Lord for small miracles.”
“Yes. Look, there’s Riley.” She waited by the door to Pat’s. “I can’t get over how much she looks like you did at that age. But there better not be any guy doing to her what I was doing to you. I’d have to hurt someone.”
“Calm down, Papa Bear. Your little cub is a smart girl.”
Harry laughed. “So were you and you still found yourself on the business end of my belt with a collar around your neck.”
Bella blushed at the imagery and Harry let go of her hand so he could hug Riley. Will stepped out of Sunday’s at that same moment.
“You made it.”
Harry turned, but Bella intercepted Will first. “Yes. I hope we’re still welcome.”
“The more the merrier.” He lowered his voice. “Are you all right?”
Bella smiled at her friend’s concern. “Yes. We made up.”
“None of it was true?”
So, Will did know. “Some of it was, but not the flashy parts.”
“Good.” He smiled. “I see you brought one of my favorite students along, as well.”
“You’re one of Riley’s professors?” Harry asked, joining Bella. He laid a possessive hand at her back, one Bella leaned into. She’d missed that touch and was glad to have it back.
“Yes.” Will extended his hand. “Good to see you again, Harry.”
“Likewise.”
“Did you have a nice weekend?”
“The most enjoyable in a very long time, yes. The rain allowed for some much needed quiet relaxation.”
