Page 87 of Cursed Lifeline

“Yes! Haven’t you heard? Sharing is the new thing.”

“Sharing?” her friend gasps. “Why, I’d never!”

I take a deep breath and focus on Esme’s approach instead of the need rising inside to teach these two rumor-hungry biddys a lesson.

What they’re saying couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Since arriving in New York, Esme has worked closely with Alfred, Caelum, Silas, and Celeste. When she’s not training from sun up to sundown, I’ve made it my personal mission to make sure Esme’s cared for. From the safety of the west wing of my estate, I’ve employed the most trusted servants to attend to her every need, and my every wish for things I deem necessary she have.

Her evenings are filled with bubble baths, exquisite food paired with the best wine, massages, and reading from a selection of books I’ve personally chosen to stock the elaborate library I had crafted especially for her. Housing over 300,000 titles, I’ve ensured she’ll never lack the companionship of a good story when I am pulled away on business.

When she’s restless, I read to her. When she’s sad she still can’t remember her life before this one, I play the piano for her.

My favorite nights are the ones we spend alone. My hands on the piano keys, her nose in a good book, until she gives me a look I’ve come to know well and I play her body like my favorite melody. I’ve caressed and tasted almost every inch of her skin over this past month. Taking my time. Going slow. Making sure I can exercise control when I need to most. Though I haven’t claimed her virginity, and I’d be lying if I said holding out wasn’t slowly killing the both of us.

Esme smiles as the group finishes their approach, and knowing I’m partly responsible for her happiness makes me feel complete. The only thing that helped me through the last century without her was knowing that one day, I’d be watching her walk toward me again like she is right now. Making her happy, keeping that breathtaking smile on her face, is an added bonus that fuels my need to protect her in this life like I failed to in her last.

“Caldwell,” Alfred calls out. The women behind me startle as I reach out and take his palm, giving him a firm handshake.

“Alfred,” I grin, “can I get you a drink?”

The two women from earlier huddle closer behind us. Silent as a mouse, they stand by, waiting for any bit of gossip they can feast on. Too bad for them, I don’t plan on dropping any scraps at their feet.

“I’ll pass,” Alfred says as his eyes drift longingly to Evangeline.

Reaching to the left, I grab two champagne glasses from a passing server. Offering one to Evangeline, and the other to Esme, my hand lingers on hers, slowly tracing a path down to her elbow. Desperate to have her by my side, even though I last saw her a few short hours ago, I waste no time pulling her a step closer and gently place a kiss against her cheek.

As I raise my tumbler of bourbon to my lips, Alfred says, “And neither should you. We need to chat.”

Caelum, Silas, and Celeste take a seat at the bar, and I ask, “Can it wait?”

“Afraid not,” he sighs.

“Can what wait?” Caelum questions. Alfred gives him a sharp look, and he says, “Oh!” Quickly glancing at me, he grimaces, sucking in air between clenched teeth. “Yeah, no. It really can’t.”

While Alfred and Caelum whisper amongst themselves about what’s so important, I change my mind and decide to give the eavesdropping duo behind me a little shocking tidbit they can take back to their sewing circle. Brushing Esme’s hair back from the side of her face, I lean close and growl, “You smell delicious.”

Her breathing quickens. Trailing my fingertips down the curve of her ear, then slowly down the side of her neck, I breathe in her mouthwatering scent and whisper, “I bet you taste delicious, too, doll.”

A blush creeps across her porcelain skin.

The women behind us let out a gasp and scurry off. Turning, Esme sets her drink on the bar top and gives me a sly smile.

“What is this scent you’re wearing?” I growl into the side of her neck, just as Alfred and Caelum finish their debate.

“Is it calling to you?” she teases.

“More than you know,” I groan.

“Then I guess you’ll have to investigate further later tonight, Mr. Caldwell, and figure it out for yourself.”

Her eyes hold mischief. I raise my brow in challenge, but before I can respond to her tempting flirtation, someone catches my eye over her shoulder. Dimitri approaches quickly from the entrance of the party. He’s flanked by Talon. Instantly, a sick feeling settles in my stomach.

“Oh,” Celeste purrs as my brothers in the coven catch her line of sight. “Pray tell, who are they?”

“Council,” I grit out. Esme’s eyes lock on mine. Anxious and worried, she holds my stare as I address Alfred, “It’s worse than I thought, isn’t it?”

“It’s not good,” he sighs.

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