Page 73 of Cruelest Contract
The day Julian and I went shopping for rings and a dress, I was still giddy from a post-orgasm high after the most intense sexual experience of my life. Julian was more relaxed than usual and told funny stories about growing up on the ranch with his wild brothers. That whole day was perfect. We were on our own and went out to lunch, just like an ordinary couple.
I thought we’d have more time to be alone together but when we returned to the ranch, Julian’s father called. The only explanation I received was that Julian was needed to handlesome issue in Las Vegas. He took Getty with him, probably to ensure I wouldn’t be tormented in his absence.
In the ten days since, I’ve barely seen Julian. He returned from his Vegas trip and immediately left the next morning to deal with some other problem. He did call every night. Our conversations were polite and short. He asked about the wedding plans and told me to let him know if there was anything else I needed.
No, I had everything I needed. Sort of. I would have liked to spend more time with the man I’m about to marry but overall I can’t complain. When Julian isn’t around to grant my every whim, he makes sure someone else does.
He came home yesterday afternoon but Alice had just arrived. Anyway, he was distracted and busy. He spent the evening behind closed doors with his father.
As for Cassio Tempesta, he’s always polite to me but he holes up in his study most of the time. I’ve passed by the room and heard him murmuring in a hushed, gentle voice that’s at odds with his usual booming baritone. Sometimes I hear music too. Old pop ballads that are meant for slow dancing. I wouldn’t have expected him to be a fan of such music.
It gave me the creeps.
Alice quits rummaging and returns to the mirror to finish curling my hair. “Hold still.” She teeters on her bare tiptoes. “I’ll never forgive myself if I burn the bride. I like the flowers but why did you decide on no veil?”
She unfurls a curl and carefully adds another flower bud.
“I’m keeping it simple,” I say to my best friend, although a sudden flashback flips my stomach over.
I’m thinking of another girl on her wedding day. I remember the long satin train of her elaborate white wedding dress and the lacy veil framing her hopeful face as she lovingly stared up at my brother.
Then I force the pictures to go dark because I don’t want to see what happened to her next.
“Cecilia?” Alice follows me when I leave the bathroom mirror and move to the bed, sinking down on the mattress. She immediately hops up on the bed beside me in a pastel turquoise swing dress that’s doubling as her maid of honor gown because I told her not to bother getting something new.
This breathless feeling will pass. I know it’s in my head. All I’m wearing is a slip and a silky, comfortable robe. There’s nothing constricting my chest, no reason to feel like my air supply is being squeezed. If I breathe in and out a few times I’ll be fine.
Alice hooks her arm through my elbow and examines me with serious eyes. “You’re upset. Have you changed your mind? We can tie the sheets together and rappel out the window. Anyone who tries to stop us will get The Treatment.”
She’s completely sincere. Today there’s more security patrolling the ranch than there is protecting the White House. It’s hilarious that Alice thinks we can climb out the window and escape without detection.
Anyway, I don’t have the slightest desire to escape. I just find myself wishing for Julian. Being in his arms always chases away the shadows.
I haven’t told him this. I don’t know if I should.
For now, I lean on Alice’s shoulder. “I just felt dizzy for a second. Too much excitement.”
She suddenly gasps and grips my shoulders. “Maybe you’re pregnant!”
I roll my eyes. “Why don’t you believe me when I say we haven’t had sex yet?”
True, we haven’t had sex. But Julian did push his cum-drenched fingers inside me, which is about as sex-adjacent as it gets.
And that encounter wasso freaking hotthatI literally can’t stop thinking about it.
Even now, my thighs involuntarily clench, just remembering.
“Anyway,” I say to Alice, “I just finished my period.” It was good timing to get my period while Julian was away and have it finished before the wedding.
“Right.” Alice has the most expressive mouth. Her pouty lips gather into a frown while she scrutinizes me for any evidence of wedding jitters.
A dark suspicion crosses my mind.
“Alice,” I say. “You didn’t bring your flamethrower, did you?”
She tosses a mass of honey-blonde curls over one shoulder. “Of course not. I would never have gotten it through the TSA inspection.”
“How comforting,” I deadpan.
