Page 165 of Jace
“Okay.” I jump to my feet. Pit stains starting. “You all need to?—”
“We know. We know.” Wren flits her hand. “We’re skedaddling.”
Zar rounds up the queens, escorting them out the door of Delta’s. But not before Alena throws her new sex toys into her purse, then pecks my cheek. “You know, if you want a double wedding, I’m totally game.”
I laugh. “Thanks, but your king loves you too much; he’d toss me off a mountain.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
VIVIAN
“So the architectsaid the review process can take up to a year.” I babble between licks of ice cream. “But with Axel’s legal connections.” Lick. “It should go through.” Lick. “I mean, we’re preserving the home, and adding to culture.” Lick. “Helping tourism and?—”
I glance over at Jace.
He roams beside me, licking his ice cream, grinning smugly like the cat that ate the canary.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he lies.
“Jace, you’re acting weird.”
He laughs, eyes wide. “No, I’m not.”
I stop in the middle of the sidewalk, tourists brushing by. “Yes, you are. What’s going on?”
He shrugs. “Nothing. We’re on an ice cream date.” But his eyes sparkle devilishly, so I tap my sandal. Waiting. “Okay, fine.” He aims his creamy lips at mine. “You’re really fucking beautiful today. If you keep looking like that, I’ll keep you pregnant for life.”
I take his delicious kiss, tasting like bay leaves and cheesecake. I moan at his tongue playing with mine, makingmy tender nipples pearl under the long ivory silk dress Nadine bought me.
It’s a sleeveless, relaxed silhouette of the most sumptuous fabric I’ve ever worn. She wanted to buy me some signature pearls as well, to celebrate the baby, but I’m not used to couture. These gifts so far feel special enough.
From the park by the river across the street, some guy whistles at our public display of affection. It makes me laugh over our lips. “Okay, big guy. Ialmostbelieve you.”
“Almost?” He presses into me, wearing a sexy navy suit on a spring day. “Need me to throb even bigger for your beauty?”
Lifting my cone to his lips, I let him lean down, locking his eyes on mine while he obscenely licks my cream as he will between my legs tonight; I know. “Almost, because you have pit stains the size of Canada.”
“Oh, do I?” He edges back, swiping his lips clean.
I point at the cute blots marring his perfectly starched white shirt. He can’t hide them under his gentlemanly jacket. He’s even wearing a navy tie today, adding to my suspicions. “Something’s making you nervous.”
Silently, he takes my cone and his. Four steps away, there’s a trash can where he tosses them inside.
Yep, something’s going on.
It makes my pulse double as he returns to me, clasping my hands.
“It’s the meeting tomorrow, isn’t it?” I ask. “The one with your…” I swallow. “Father?”
He doesn’t answer, making fear storm my veins. “You don’t think he’d hurt you all or…” I choke on the word. I can’t fathom losing Jace. Or anyone I love. Not again. Not after losing my dad.
He shakes his head. “Ironically, with you being pregnant with my child, we’re even safer now. That man has too much pride in blood and lineage.”
“But you’re worried about tomorrow, aren’t you? About the deal? What if he doesn’t take it? What if this war never ends?”
“Doesn’t matter.” He cups my cheek. “You can’t have a war without an enemy, and he’s not mine. I won’t give him that power over me anymore. Loving you gives me peace.I’vewon.” He gazes down at my belly. “We won.”
