Page 260 of Masters of Pleasure
They’d split up to do different things—as big as the grounds were, it was surprisingly hard to keep everyone together—and would regroup at the joust.
“I don’t want you to feel like you’re missing out on anything.”Law’s jaw worked, clenching and unclenching, trying to figure out what to say.
A rush of warmth filled Iris.He was such a good guy.Sure, he sometimes had a stick up his ass, but that’s why she was there to loosen him up.This was one of those times.
“If I suddenly start feeling I’m missing out on anything, I’ll be sure to let you know,” she teased.The warning look he gave her made her laugh even harder.God, she loved him.They’d been living together for a few weeks, and that hadn’t gone away.She wasn’t looking for a new place to live at this point, though she probably should be.He was more than healed enough to be on his own, but he hadn’t brought it up, so neither had she.
Suddenly, under his dark stare, she didn’t feel like she could hold back the words anymore.“I love you, Law.”
His reaction—eyes widening so far, they practically bulged, his jaw dropping to hang open—was more than a little satisfying.
“I know you probably think it’s too soon, but that’s how I feel.So, trust me, I’m not missing out on anything.I’m having a blast.”Iris smiled serenely, incredibly amused that Law was still slack-jawed.“I don’t expect you to say it back right now, by the way.I can wait till you’re ready.”
Did she want him to say the L-word?Of course, but if she’d learned anything about Law, it was he was a very deliberate person.While she knew he cared about her deeply, she wasn’t sure he was in a position to be comfortable saying it back to her, and she’d known that would be the case.Whereas she’d always been more of a “ready, fire, aim” person.It had been on the tip of her tongue for days, and she was tired of holding back.Whether or not he said it back was… well, not immaterial, but it didn’t change how she felt or what she’d wanted to say.
She felt lighter as if a weight had been lifted off her.
“Miss Iris, Miss Iris!Look!Mitch bought me a sword!”Ana, Domi’s daughter, came running up, brandishing the wooden weapon.Turning to her, Iris made an awed face.Truthfully, she was a little awed, mostly by how much the little girl’s outfit had changed since they’d parted ways an hour ago.
Angel had lent Iris a bunch of garb to give her ‘options,’ with instructions that her friends could use some as well if she wanted.There had been enough options in different sizes that Iris, Avery, Domi, and Rae were all decked out.Mitch had put on a knight’s costume he’d worn for Halloween, so while he didn’t look as authentic as Law, Asad, Connor, and Q, he fit right in with the crowds—only about half the people around them were dressed up.
Surrounded by people in garb, Nick had decided he needed an outfit, which had spurred Ana to ask if she could have an outfit, which had caused the group to split up for a bit.That had been fine since Asad, Connor, and Q had wanted to go back for more oyster shooters, and Iris had wanted to see the jugglers.After, she and Law had wandered until it was time to meet everyone at the joust.
Ana had made out like a bandit—not just a new sword but also a new purple dress, a little black vest with white lace that laced up the front, and a pink-and-purple flower crown.The only thing that hadn’t changed was her sneakers, but since they were purple, they didn’t look completely incongruous with the rest of her outfit.
“My goodness, look at you!You’re a little lady knight.”
“A lady knight?”Ana asked, sounding fascinated, lowering the sword a bit as she stared up at Iris.
“Yes, like… like…” Hm.There weren’t any references Ana would recognize at her age that immediately came to mind.“Well, when you’re old enough, I’m going to introduce you to Alanna of Trebond, my favorite lady knight.”
“Cool!”Ana turned around to where Mitch and Domi were coming up, hand in hand.Mitch was grinning so wide, it nearly split his face, whereas Domi was shaking her head in resigned amusement.Iris had a feeling Mitch had done the majority of the purchasing.
“Where’s Rae?”she asked as their friends joined them.She had started off with them.
“In line for a crab pretzel, then she’ll join us.”Domi waved her hand behind her.“Let’s go see the joust.”
“I’m going to be a lady knight when I grow up!”Ana announced, and Mitch reached out to ruffle her hair.
“Damn right you are.”
Law
Coward.You’re a big, stinking coward.
Holding Iris’ hand and moving through the crowds, Law couldn’t stop the chiding thoughts filling his head.
To be fair, he’d been blindsided and fumbling to find the words when Ana came running up, but he wasn’t even trying to draw Iris to the side to tell her he loved her, too.Would she think he was only saying it because she had?He hadn’t known whether to say it back when she was telling him he didn’t have to, then Ana interrupted them, and it was too late.Now, he felt like he’d lost the opportunity.
As they neared the joust, they could see their group of friends gathered at the bottom of the little hillside next to the jousting arena, right next to the fountain and lovers’ bridge.Asad was taking a picture of Nick and Avery on the bridge.Nick appeared to have bought a shirt and hat.Iris cracked up when the two of them came off the bridge, and Nick’s lower half remained unchanged in his cargo shorts and sandals.Law grinned.He always enjoyed the half and half look that so many new visitors, like Nick, ended up wearing.
“Oooh, we should get a picture, too,” Mitch said, grabbing Domi’s hand and pulling her toward the bridge.Ana had already run ahead to show Connor her sword.Much to the big guy’s confusion, she’d latched onto him immediately when she met him.Maybe it was the Viking helmet, or maybe Ana had an instinct for knowing who the biggest softie in a group was.
“Do you want a picture?”he asked Iris, his mind already working furiously.Maybe being on Lover’s Bridge for a picture would be a good time to tell her he loved her.She’d stolen his thunder, but he could still make it special when he said it.Memorable.
“Sure.”The saucy look she sent his way was more than worthy of her wench attire, and he had to chuckle.Sliding his arm around her waist, they moved toward the bridge.Avery and Nick were making their way off one end while Mitch and Domi filed onto the other end.
The tiny fountain pond in front of the bridge had plenty of flowers and greenery and looked particularly pretty against the small white bridge.Domi and Mitch moved to the center, where they posed for the picture, arms around each other, facing their friends, each with one hand on the rail in front of them.
