Page 35 of The Book Reader
Right on time, the doorbell rings, making my nerves take flight in my stomach. Mekhi squeals. “Stay right here, baby doll. I’m going to get the door.” He comes over to me, hugging me tightly and kissing my forehead. “I’m so proud, you look stunning. Make sure you come down those stairs slowly, like the fucking goddess you are.” He rushes from the room, leaving me to soothe my nerves.
Muffled voices echo from downstairs, which I guess is a good sign—both the house and Mekhi let him in. Taking a deep breath, I pick up my bag and make my way down the stairs.
When I get to the bottom, Gaelan is in the foyer with his back to me. When he hears me, he turns around, and my breath catches in my throat—this man is too gorgeous for words—he’s wearing dark blue jeans with a blue shirt, no tie. His black hair is longer than the last time I saw him, and he has a little stubble on his cheeks, as if he decided not to shave for a day or two.
His bright blue eyes find mine, and the dimpled smile he gives me makes my pussy ache and my heart beat faster. Mekhi exhales loudly next to me. “Daaaaamn…”
Gaelan chuckles and hands me a bunch of black roses I didn’t notice he was holding. “Arianna, you look stunning.”
“Thank you, and thank you for these.” I take the roses from him and hand them to Mekhi, who is still staring. I hit him on the arm with them, making him cough and take them from me. “Gaelan,” I say as I point to Mekhi. “This is my best friend, Mekhi.”
Gaelan reaches out to shake Mekhi’s hand. Mekhi switches it over, offering Gaelan his knuckles, expecting him to kiss them. “Enchanté,” he says with a pout.
Gaelan’s eyes flick to mine as he grins. He takes Mekhi’s hand, turns it over, and slowly shakes with a slight bow of the head.
“Pleasure,” he says and then winks at Mekhi.
Mekhi pulls his hand back and says with a flirty wink, “No, hunny, the pleasure isallmine.” With that, he sashays over to me and whispers, “I think I just got pregnant.”
I gasp and flick my eyes to Gaelan to make sure he didn’t hear him, but he’s moved off and is looking at the paintings in the doorway. Laughing, I keep my voice low as I say, “Mekhi, stop it.”
He whispers back, “Forget the no kitty action tonight, you had better ride that boy like you’re winning the bucking bronco. Then, I want you to tell me all about it.” He kisses my cheek and then runs up the stairs, leaving us alone.
Gaelan turns to me and grins. “Does your friend threaten all of your house guests?”
Embarrassed horror twists my face. “Oh god, what did he say?”
“He said that it might not look like it, but he can punch like most men, and if I don’t look after you, he will beat my ass,” Gaelan laughs, making me laugh with him.
“Heisstrong.” I smile.
“I don’t doubt that, and it’s good,” he comes over to me and reaches for my hand, picking it up and kissing the back of it the way Mekhi had wanted him to, “to have someone looking out for you.”
My cheeks heat up as his intense eyes find mine, and he looks at me like he’s searching for something. “Mekhi has been my best friend forever.”
Something odd crosses his face. He tried to hide it with a grin, but I saw it. “Let’s go so we’re not late for our table,” he cuts in. He keeps hold of my hand and leads me out of the house.
Chapter 16
GAELAN
I’d spent most of the day trying to prepare myself to see Ari again. The last few weeks waiting for her to contact me have been torture.
The day of her grandfather’s memorial, I knew she was my Rose. Still, seeing her sitting opposite me in my car with her amber eyes and wearingthatnecklace—itisher. I just hope that this time I get to keep her for longer, that I get to save her.
“Where are we going tonight?” she asks me, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“There is this little restaurant that has the best view of the sunset, just outside of town.” A bounty has just been issued for any information on the whereabouts of the Book Reader. Despite my best efforts, a rumor has already leaked that she may have been reborn. Since my own people staff the restaurant, it should be safe enough for now.
She smiles at me. “The Amore?”
“Yes? Have you been there before?” I ask. She laughs lightly, and fuck me, I’ve missed that sound. My cock twitches, and I have to fight my need to pull her to me and kiss her.
“No, but I’ve seen articles about it. It has the best reviews for a restaurant of that kind,”—she knows it’s a non-human restaurant, much like her club. I did my research—“It’s also costly,” she finishes.
“It is, but I’m lucky enough to know the owner.” I wink at her, and her cheeks go pink before she smiles at me again. I can tell she’s nervous, so I do my best to put her at ease. I shift a little closer, our knees almost touching. “Where do you work?” I ask her, even though I already know the answer.
“I own The House of Hades,” She says excitedly.
