Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
"There's the castle where I'd marry you if I could," he says with an edge to his voice. "It would be beautiful. A fairytale wedding."
"We could still have a wedding," I whisper. "When it's safe."
Xavier pulls back and I see the inner turmoil raging within him. Would he do if it weren't for his brother? My father? Or is he just ashamed of me?
I shake my head to get the traitorous thoughts out. We land on the roof of a luxurious hotel, surrounded by security. I smile gratefully at them, and they nod back. It's been a while since I felt so safe.
"Ready for dinner?" Xavier asks.
"I can't wait," I grin. "Can I have wine tonight?"
"Absolutely not."
"Damn."
"Come, angel. Let's eat," he orders and leads me into the hotel. I glance at the sign above the entrance. It's a Michelin-starred restaurant with a waiting list a mile long.
"How did you manage to get us a table here?" I ask, surprised.
"It doesn't matter," he replies. "We have it for the evening."
I can't believe he managed to arrange this. There are no more questions, no more answers. He leads me inside and the maitre d' bows deeply as we enter the restaurant.
"Right this way, sir, madame," he says in a thick French accent.
"This is insane," I giggle. "I didn't expect anything like this."
"Anything for you," Xavier replies and winks. "And your surprise."
I frown and follow him inside the restaurant, the maître d' following behind us. We sit at a private table in the corner, and the man takes the menus.
"I'll be back with the menu and the wine. Enjoy the evening," he says and leaves us alone.
I look around, and there's a large bouquet of flowers in the corner. My eyes widen when I see the little box nestled in the bouquet.
"Oh my God," I breathe.
"Surprise, angel," Xavier smiles. "That's your present."
"My present?"
"Open it."
"Oh, my goodness," I breathe.
My hands are trembling.
"Come, open it," he prompts me again.
I pick the small velvet box and cradle it in my palms, smiling nervously.
"Go ahead," Xavier encourages me.
My fingers shake as I unwrap the box. Inside, a beautiful pendant hangs off a white gold chain. I pick it up, inspecting it under the light. The dark wine-colored liquid inside sparkles as it catches the light.
"It's gorgeous," I say honestly. "What is it?"
"A hollowed out diamond," Xavier admits. "They told me I was insane for ruining it. I don't give a fuck, though."
I smile with trepidation as I angle the pendant in front of the light. "What's inside?"
He grips my hand, the pendant digging into my palm. I look up at him, heart threatening to beat right out of my chest. "It's my promise to you, that I am yours."
I gasp softly. "It's your blood, isn't it?"
Xavier smirks. "You probably think I'm a fucked up, sick bastard."
"I knew that before," I giggle, handing him the necklace. "Thank you for my beautiful gift. Will you put it on for me?"
He nods, taking the chain and fastening it around my neck. He presses a soft kiss to the side of my throat. "It looks amazing on you, Tallulah. Thank you."
I lean in for a soft, gentle kiss, and I'm so grateful he can't see the tears forming in the corners of my eyes. I'm a terrible person. How can I lie to him about this?
The waiter brings us the menu and a bottle of wine, and we order.
I can feel Xavier's inquisitive gaze on me as the food arrives. He's checking on everything. How much I'm eating, drinking. How much my hands tremble when I reach for the glass, and how the cutlery clanking makes me wince every time.
The food is delicious, but I barely taste it. Everything has a bitter taste.
When I push my plate away with barely held back disgust, Xavier reaches for my hands. I half-heartedly pull away, and he gets up from the table, kneeling before my chair while I stare at my hands folded in my lap.
"Tallulah, what's wrong?" he asks, his voice soft and comforting.
"Nothing."
"That's a fucking lie."
I take a deep breath.
"Angel, tell me," he prompts again. "I can't help if you don't."
"You can't help, Xavier," I snap. "Don't even bother."
He stares at me, confused. "Please, tell me."
"It's stupid."
"I'm sure it's not."
"It is."
"Tell me, angel. Or I will have to punish you."
I glare at him. "You won't hurt me. You've never done it, and you won't now."
"You have a lot of faith in me," he sighs.
"I know you," I say quietly. "You wouldn't hurt me."
"Not even if you were bad, angel?" he asks, gripping my chin and lifting my face up. "If you were a bad girl?"
"Even then," I reply. "You wouldn't hurt me."
Xavier sighs, letting go of me. "What is it?"
"I'll tell you," I say with a defeated sigh.
"You can tell me anything, angel. You know that, right?"