Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Kendrick snorts. “The lies you tell. Responsible for what? You still have milk on your breath.”
“From a fine pair of tits and a great ass,” Reilly shoots back.
Yup, they all have those voices. I squeeze Kendrick’s hand as that rumble comes from his chest again. I can’t help but smile. He’s jealous and there’s no need to be. All his brothers are handsome, but I belong to him.
“Thank you, Reilly. I will keep you in mind if I need help.”
With that, he places his fist to his heart with a bow and returns to his throne chair. Kendrick turns to lean over and kiss my temple. I close my eyes and savor the connection.
“Are you up to meeting everyone else? They are asking.”
“Sure, why not?” I return through our bond.
***
I look into the mirror and smile. The gown Kendrick gave to me fits like a glove. It has a collar neck design and the top is made of lace that gets sheerer as it flows down over my breasts and into a V at the waist.
The back is out and the skirt flows down to my feet. The right side has a high split that shows off my thigh and leg. I love the clear heels on my feet. They give a bit of a stripper vibe, but the look is still classy.
“You look exquisite. I can’t wait to get you back here and all to myself. I’ve shared you more than I would like today,” Kendrick rumbles as he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
Looking into his eyes through our reflection, I smile at him. He looks so handsome in his tux. That air of authority and royalty is rolling off him.
His hair is combed neatly to the right. I love the sparkle in his eyes as he smiles back at me. I turn in his arms and look up at him.
“You look very handsome yourself. It’s not too late to forget about this party and spend the night getting to know more about each other.”
He smiles at me and squeezes his arms around me. I know without reading his thoughts that we’re going, no matter how much I don’t want to. He leans in and pecks my lips.
“This needs to be done. We will be home and in bed soon enough. You’ve done so well today. I know it’s been a lot.”
I place my hand over his chest and rest my cheek on it so I don’t get makeup on his white shirt. I sigh and inhale his scent to calm my nerves. My entire body relaxes.
“Okay, let’s get this over with.”
He kisses the top of my head. Then he places a hand on my waist and leads me from the room. We step into the elevator, heading down. When the doors open, we step out and he leads me to a set of stairs.
“Ray.”
“Yes? What’s wrong?”
“The Book of Paths. It’s here. I can feel it.”
“Wait, what? Your family’s book? Where?”
“I don’t know, but I feel its presence.”
“Everything okay?” Kendrick looks down at me and asks.
“Yes, where are we?”
“The underground tunnels. The garage is down here.”
“It’s so dark and cold down here.”
“Come, I will keep you warm. It remains dark because some beings are sensitive to light. Many enter through the caves and not the ground-level entrance where they can be seen,” he continues to explain.
“So this is just an entrance to the clubhouse?”
“No, the room of revelation, where we entered last night, is down here, as well as my private office and a few training rooms.”
“His office. We need to get to his office.”
“Should I ask him about it?”
“No, Let’s stop talking for now.”
“La, la, la, la, la. La, la, la, la, la. La, la, la-la, la-la, la, la, la la-la la.”
“What are you doing?” Venus growls.
“He can read my thoughts. I’m trying to block him out.”
“Ray, please. Stop that mess.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Kendrick asks.
“Yes.”
“Do you always sing in your thoughts?”
“Um, no.”
He reaches for my chin and turns my face up. Then he places a toe-curling kiss on my lips. I’m breathless as he pulls away.
“You can block me from your thoughts. I just don’t want you to. But if you must, close the door. See it in your mind’s eye and pull it closed. You can open and close it as you please,” he says.
I quickly find and close the door he’s talking about. A frown comes to my lips. I don’t like not hearing him either.
“Can you hear Venus when you listen in?”
“No, I haven’t heard her yet. Is she still with you? She isn’t trying to harm you, is she?”
“No, she’s not a bother. She’s been pretty silent. When she does speak, she’s helping me. I’m sort of happy to have her. This would have been so much more of a struggle without her.”