There was only one other Hayward and it was the one that had just had his fingers and stare fastened on me. When Id let my mind wander down that path, Patrick and me United . . . wel , lets just say there wasnt enough time in the day to cringe, cry, or convulse. But I wasnt letting Charles, the Council, Patrick, or fear in general ruin anything more between Wil iam and me. I was marching forward with him, head high and hopes even higher.
No, of course I didnt think youd miss it, I said, sweeping my gaze over him, taking in as much of him as I could. But there are these little things known as circumstance, chance, and the Council that have gotten in the way before.
You have so little faith in me then? he whispered, his eyes fal ing to my lips right before his mouth did. His kiss was sweet, succulent, and . . .
short. He eyed me, waiting for an answer
I have faith that goes beyond faith in you, I said, wetting my lips, waiting for more. He wasnt getting, or acting on, my suggestion. However, I have no faith when it comes to the three Cs previously mentioned.
He grinned, nothing but affection in it. I dont know how I make it weeks without you, he said, leaning his forehead into mine. Kiss me.
I dont think Id ever obeyed a demand with such speed or wil ingness. My lips melted against his, yielding to the movement of his. It had been next to a month since Id had those lips on mine and I was going to make sure I made up for as much lost time as I could.
It was the exaggerated clearing of a throat behind me that broke through the al encompassing fog Wil iam and I produced. I pul ed” pried” away from him, peering over my shoulder, already knowing who the throat-clearer was.
Another, Wil iam coaxed, nudging me with his forehead. When I didnt respond as I had on every other instance when hed made a similar request, he glared without severity at Patrick. Dont mind him. Hes just jealous.
More like nauseous. Patricks eyes rol ed to the sky. You might not have to partake in minion duties like Betrothal Bal set-up because youre master of the universe, but the rest of us are busy.
The trio of us girls jacked our eyebrows sky-high. Up until saving my fal from ten rungs up, Patrick had made it a point not to show his face since the last tent stake had been driven into the ground an hour before dawn this morning. Even Nathanial and Joseph had bailed after the Texas-sized tent had been set, excusing themselves to man-work out on the endless acres of the Hayward estate. We were girls, but not stupid ones and certainly knew our way around a working farm by now. Harvest was months done, and seeding didnt come for a few more. The only man-work being undertaken in the fields today was Betrothal Bal set-up evasion.
Yeah, wel I dont have the feminine eye it takes for these kinds of things, Wil iam threw back, situating my feet back on the floor. By the way, I love what youve done with the place. Its got Patrick written al over it, Wil iam teased, sweeping his gaze over the décor that was white, white, and white.
When Id asked Abigail why we were setting the place up like we were a bunch of anti-colorists, shed said this was the traditional way of doing a Betrothal Bal . White symbolized the color of purity and was therefore fitting for the occasion. However, this didnt quite equate with me. When I thought of my Betrothal to Wil iam, my thoughts were anything but pure.
At least Im confident enough in my manhood to let my feminine side make an appearance every decade or so, Patrick fired back, plucking an orchid from the centerpiece of the nearest table. If looks could kil , Immortal thing aside, Abigail would have obliterated Patrick where he stood.
Speaking of rugged male confidence, wheres your legion of indentured servants? Patrick flashed a wicked smile. I mean, personal body guards?
Outside. Wil iam nodded towards the entrance, looking chagrined, not that I could understand why. Once Wil iam had agreed to embrace al that was expected of him, the Council had slapped a mandated handful of security guards to him so fast you would have thought he was a Middle Eastern diplomat.
They went with him everywhere, everywhere- everywhere, so wherever he had in mind for us to catch-up tonight, I already knew theyd be militarily positioned around us. As inconvenient as several tight-lipped, iron-faced, security guards could be, if it meant he was shielded from John Townsend and his destruction-hungry Inheritors, I could deal with the audience to our intimate moments.
Although Id have no qualms about making threats of locking them alone in a coat closet with Patrick for a week straight if they wouldnt leave Wil iams side for our most intimate moment coming in the near future. Hopeful y.
I wanted to believe Wil iam had been assigned security because of the added risks facing him after everything wed encountered, but I didnt put it past the Council that part of their reasoning had been to ensure Wil iam was staying on track, not only in his missions, but in his quest to . . . save the world, for lack of a better phrase.
Excuse me, sir? A familiar face, dressed in unfamiliar attire”a stiff black silk suit”stepped through the entrance. The Council is requesting your presence. Norberto smiled nervously, waving at al of us. Like five minutes ago.
Sir? Real y? Patrick said, pointing his hands at Wil iam as if in explanation. Are we real y back to square one with you, Norberto?
Wil iam exhaled, drawing me to him in such a way I knew it was one of those final kind of embraces. At least final as in a few hours. He kissed the top of my head as I groaned in exasperation. Im only playing by the rules because you were the pious one who didnt want to ruffle any feathers.
I seem to remember a shift in the piety last time we spent the night together, Mr. Hayward, I mumbled, curling my fingers into his dress shirt, inhaling him note for note.