Page 43 of Room Ten: Praise Times Three

15

CAIDEN

Inever claimed to be a poet, but I hope my invitation sparked a sense of adventure in Leti and gave her the strength to come to us tonight.

We’re sitting in a booth, nursing a couple of whiskeys, and watching the small crowd grow. It’s early for Club Sin, but I felt the smaller crowd would make her more comfortable, even though we have no intention of hanging out with the masses any longer than necessary.

We have Room Ten reserved, but we’ll only go inside if she comes.

We have no indication if she’ll make it or not.

No word from her.

No phone calls.

It would have been easy enough for Soren to do some snooping. He could have easily hacked her phone and turned it into a listening device, but that wouldn’t have made all of this waiting any easier.

Instead, the three of us are suited up, wearing silk ties—which make my cock hard as a rock—and doing our best to not appear antsy.

I glance at my watch to find it’s ten after nine. “She’s not going to show.”

“She is,” Reese says.

“She’s late,” I grumble.

“We’ll forgive her.” Reese slides his eyes my way and then diverts his gaze to over my shoulder, hissing under his breath. “Fuck me.”

I turn to look over my shoulder at the hostess as she escorts Leti to our table in a painted-on dress with sheer panels, leaving very little to the imagination. “Oh, fuck.”

Scrambling to my feet, I suck in my breath as Soren steps forward and offers her his hand.

Smiling, Leti keeps her head down, but looks up at us through her lashes.

Shyness warring with a new level of excitement—I’m hoping.

“You look beautiful.” He pulls her close and kisses her cheek.

Reese walks around me and takes her other hand, lifting it to his mouth. “Hey, doll. I knew you’d come.”

She brings her eyes up to me and squeaks, “Hi.”

I push Reese out of the way and pull her into my arms. Bracing her lower back with my forearm, I bend her back and claim her lips like I want to claim every other part of her. She melts in my arms, moaning when I slide my tongue into her mouth. Gliding it against hers, I tell her everything I have to say with this kiss.

I missed you.

I love you.

Never leave me again.

Reese smacks my shoulder and speaks directly into my ear. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself.”

I pull back and smile down at her. “Let people look. They’re just jealous I’m kissing the most beautiful woman here.”

She smiles back at me. “I missed you.”

Growling, I stand with her in my arms and pull her tight against my body. “I missed you more.”

I can’t take my hands off of her. It’s like if I do, she’ll disappear. I guide her to the empty chair between Soren and me and sit down beside her.

---