Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
I winced. “Let me guess. He asked what was your price for walking out of my life?”
Dax dipped his chin. “It was a test to see if I had a hidden agenda.”
“What did you tell him?”
“The same thing I told your brother when I found him waiting outside the villa earlier.”
“Oh, God,” I muttered, flicking my gaze up to the ceiling.
“I made it clear that you’d be safe with me and that I wanted nothing from your family.” Dax cut into his steak again. “It didn’t placate them much, however. I made it clear that there wasn’t a thing they could do or say to make me call off the wedding. They didn’t like that.”
“I’ll bet.”
“I was originally going to suggest that we gather both our families together prior to the wedding so they could all get well-acquainted. You’ve met all members of mine, but my parents haven’t met your siblings, and I’ve never spoken with your youngest sister. It would have been good to get such introductions out of the way. But there’s a chance it wouldn’t go smoothly.”
I nodded. “Those from both our families who don’t support what we’re doing could either band together and give us shit, or arguments might start between those who are behind us and those who aren’t.” I was pretty sure that if Blake started complaining, my sisters would butt in and tell him to get a handle on his issues. Likewise, if my dad and Ollie began whining, it could set off Dax’s siblings.
“My thoughts exactly. So I say we scrap that idea. Our parents know each other well enough anyway.”
True. Dax and his parents had actually attended Vienna and Dane’s wedding reception, though Dax had been a toddler at the time so didn’t remember it.
“My baby sister, Harri, is looking forward to meeting you and your family.” More particularly Drey, but I’d keep that to myself.
I grabbed my glass and tipped it back, letting the red wine slide down my throat. Hmm, not bad. I lowered the glass … and realized that Dax’s gaze was locked on me with lethal focus. “What? You’re staring.”
He gave an unrepentant shrug. “I like to look at you.”
I snorted. “You like to unnerve people, so you sometimes stare at them until they get so uncomfortable they look away.”
“You don’t look away. Never did. You were always frustratingly difficult to ruffle.” It was an amused statement, not a complaint.
“Why bother trying to ruffle anyone?” I tilted my head. “Let me guess, you do it your employees to keep them on their toes.”
He pursed his lips. “I find it makes them more productive.”
I’d imagine it did.
“The only time I could really keep you off-balance was when we were in bed.” A dark heat crept into his gaze that made my stomach twist. “Do you still have that navel piercing?”
I flexed my grip on my fork. “Maybe.” I remembered how much he’d liked it, traced it, licked around it. I had the feeling he was recalling that as well.
“You used to have a little hip chain that you hooked on the piercing.” His eyes went hooded. “Just looking at it made me want to bury my cock in you.”
My thighs clenched. Well, since we weren’t actually going to end up in bed, I needed to get this conversation onto a playful track. “Stop with the smolder. My hormones can only take so much, and I don’t want my hand aching from too much self-love.”
He let out a wicked laugh. “You know, Addison, not many people make me laugh. But you could always manage to do that.”
I lifted and dropped one shoulder. “I’m gifted that way.”
We spoke of general things as we ate the rest of our meal. It was an hour or so later that he walked me out of the villa and over to my car. He held open the door as I slid behind the wheel and then clicked on my seatbelt.
“I have a request,” he said.
I eyed him warily. “What?”
Bracing one arm over the top of the car door, he bent over and planted his free hand on the vehicle roof. His gaze delved into mine, a dark glint there. “Wear whatever kind of lingerie you want for the wedding night, but I want your pussy completely bare. No little strip of hair here or there. I want not one thing between my tongue and your flesh.”
Fuck if my nipples weren’t tightening. “I’ll take that into consideration.”
A corner of his lips tipped up. “Appreciated.” He straightened, closed the door, and stepped back.
Subtly puffing out a heavy breath, I reversed the car. Well, I’d learned three things tonight. One, my soon-to-be-new-home was awesome. Two, the Oakengrove chefs he used were cooking angels sent from heaven and each deserved a damn halo. Three, my vibrator was gonna get some serious action between now and the wedding if Dax kept up with his little comments. Which, knowing him, he probably would.