Chapter 170
“I’ve missed you,” he breathes against my skin. “So much, Iris. You have no idea.”
I thread my fingers through his hair, tugging him back up to my mouth. “Show me,” I whisper against his lips.
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His eyes darken further, and he captures my mouth again in a kiss that makes my eyes roll back with pleasure. His hand slides up my thigh, pushing the fabric of my new dress higher, fingers teasing along the sensitive skin of my inner thigh as his tongue slips inte my mouth.
“I did all of this for you,” Arthur murmurs between kisses. “The announcement, the gala–everything. I want the world to know you’re mine. That I’m yours.”
“I know,” I gasp as his fingers brush against the edge of my underwear. “I know you do.”
“I never meant to hurt you,” he continues, his forehead pressing against mine. “Never wanted to make you feel like I was ashamed of you. I was trying to protect you.
I cradle his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me. “I understand that now,” I say softly. “Tonight made that very clear.”
His expression darkens momentarily at the reminder of the bathroom attack, but I pull him down for another kiss before he can
dwell on it.
“I love you, Iris,” Arthur says against my lips. “I love you. I love you so fucking much I can’t breathe.”
The words make my chest tighten. But before I can respond, his mouth is on mine again, silencing whatever I might have said. His hands grow bolder, sliding higher, and I gasp as his fingers finally make contact with where I want him most. Arthur groans, pressing his forehead against mine.
I let out a soft sigh, a tiny smile tugging at my mouth as he immediately locates my favorite spot without even having to try. Five
years, and he still knows my body like the back of his hand. “Right there,” I whisper.
That’s all the encouragement he needs. His fingers increase their teasing exploration as his mouth captures mine once more. 1 lose myself in the sensation, in the feel of Arthur’s body pressed against mine after so long apart.
I’m just reaching for his belt, desperate to feel more of him, when a sharp knock at the door jerks us both back to reality.
Arthur groans, dropping his forehead against my shoulder. “Ignore it,” he mutters.
But the door swings open then, revealing an older couple that I’ve only ever seen in photographs and news clips.
My breath hitches as Arthur sits up, staring.
Arthur’s parents. Leonard and Wendy.
Wendy is tall and elegant, her silver–streaked blonde hair pulled back in a perfect chignon. Her eyes–the same striking green as Arthur’s–widen slightly as they take in the scene before her. Leonard stands beside her, slightly shorter than she is but insanely
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built for an older man. His dark hair is shot through with silver at the temples, and his jaw hardens when he sees us.
I suddenly realize how this must look.
Arthur stands, his voice somehow steady despite what we’ve just been caught doing. He positions himself in front of me, body isn’t the most effective shield, “Mother. Father. I wasn’t aware you were attending tonight.”
but his
“Clearly,” Leonard says dryly.
1 scramble to my feet, smoothing my hands down the front of my dress nervously. These are Arthur’s parents, and they’re seeing me for the first time right after I was nearly caught having sex with their son on a sofa, not to mention the whole fiasco in the bathroom that is probably all over the internet by now.
Not exactly the first impression I was hoping to make.
Still, I manage a wobbly curtsy. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Iris.”
Wendy’s eyes narrow slightly as they scan me from head to toe. “So you’re the human mate we’ve heard so little about.”
Her words make it abundantly clear that they’re not pleased about being kept in the dark until Arthur’s public announcement.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, fighting the urge to fidget under her scrutiny.
“Hmph,” Leonard murmurs, scanning me from head to toe like a cheap whore on display.
Arthur steps forward, placing a protective arm around my waist. “Perhaps we should have this conversation elsewhere? Iris has had a difficult evening.”
“Yes, we heard,” Wendy says coolly. “An unfortunate incident in the ladies‘ room. Everyone is talking about it. Although…” She pauses, glancing at me again. “I suppose you’ve comforted her just fine.”
“We have much to discuss,” Leonard says then, clearing his throat. “Get yourselves… presentable and join us at our table.” And with that, they both turn and stride out, leaving the door wide open in their wake.
