Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Perfect.
Tassy's head was still reeling as they stepped inside his parents' home, and it was only when they walked past a framed mirror that she accidentally caught sight of her reflection, and her steps came to a horrified halt.
"Lucius!" Her tone was aghast. "I can't meet your parents like..." Her voice trailed off when she saw the telltale glint in his gaze, and she realized he wanted this.
He actually wanted his entire family to see her like this, and she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"I honestly thought you were just trying to make me feel better when you told me you were the possessive type."
"How foolish of you."
She choked back a laugh. The type to mince words, her husband was obviously not.
"I meant every word I said, wife. You're mine—"
She shook her head, saying teasingly, "I think what you mean to say is that you're crazy—"
"Over you? Absolutely."
A shiver ran down her spine at how his voice had suddenly gone dangerously soft.
"And it will do you best not to forget this."
Tassy was saved from replying since they had already reached the dining hall, but even as Lucius started to introduce her to everyone, she was unable to shake off a terrible sense of premonition.
That her husband was crazy over her she was happy to remember, but there was one thing she realized now that she had forgotten.
And it was the fact that she had yet to tell Lucius anything about Xylan.
Chapter Fourteen
'POOR-GIRL-MEETS-RICH-boyfriend's-family' was a common trope in all of Tassy's favorite romance novels and TV shows, and memories of such scenes started playing in her mind as she took in the quiet opulence of her surroundings.
Iron-wrought gates were something she was used to seeing on the outside of a stately home, rather than on the inside, the way it was in Lucius' parents' home. If that wasn't proof enough of how insanely wealthy his family was, the doors also opened to a high-ceilinged dining hall that could comfortably accommodate a hundred guests, literally. And while the mix of massive timber beams and impressive river stone pillars bequeathed the room with a majestic atmosphere, what served as its most breathtaking centerpiece was a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and the circular window overhead that offered panoramic views of rolling pastures and thoroughbred horses slowly making their way back to the heated comfort of the stable while amber rays painted the skies as the sun started to set in the background.
Tassy couldn't shake off the feeling she had just married into the Asian-American version of Dynasty, but just as she braced herself for any signs of judgment, disapproval, and condescension from one of the country's wealthiest ranching clans—-
"Honeymoon still not over, I take it?"
The words of Lucius' youngest brother, underscored with lazy humor, had an instantaneous effect: Lucius' parents looked at them with fond smiles, his brothers smirked while Tassy could only turn red upon realizing her husband's family knew exactly what she and Lucius had been, um, busy with prior to showing up.
Her gaze flew to Lucius in dismay, but instead of sharing in her embarrassment and discomfort, Lucius only smiled in response, his coppery eyes gleaming with possessive satisfaction.
Aaargh!
The rest of the evening unfolded with good food, laughter, and relentless ribbing between the siblings and their stepsister. She had a feeling this was also deliberate on their part, with the family wanting Tassy to have the time to gradually relax in their presence.
His mother Joy was a picture of poise and grace, a tall, slim blonde who was soft-spoken but eloquent, and her coppery eyes either twinkling with merriment...or flashing with exasperation as she occasionally attempted to impose order on her not-so-orderly brood of children.
His stepfather, Alrich, on the other hand, reminded Tassy of a knight protecting his princess, albeit silver-haired and with a penchant for plaid shirts and jeans instead of the usual silver armor and shield. He had a certain calmness about him, appearing quietly content to simply watch over his family.
Tassy went on to study the rest of her husband's siblings, with her gaze falling first on twenty-one-year-old Raiden. He was the only biological offspring of Joy and Alrich, lived in his own apartment off campus, and while he did appear the most laidback among his brothers...why did it seem like he was hiding something?
Joy suggested that they move to the library for coffee, and while Lucius and Tassy stood up along with the rest, she was surprised to have her husband circle an arm around her waist to keep her from following out of the room.
When it was just the two of them, Lucius suddenly swung her off her feet, and she could only laugh in surprise as he suddenly had her perched on the sturdy back of one of the leather couches facing the fireplace.
"So...who are we trying to figure out next?"