Page 74 of Omega Artist
My fingers can’t resist any longer, caressing his eyebrow where a second barbell’s joined the one I knew of. This man is my favorite work of art. He shivers, which pleases me to no end and puts a happy smile on my reddening face.
He removes my sunglasses from my face, grazing my skin. Igniting my desire. Fueling my surrender. I shiver, which pleases him to no end, and the cocky smirk on his face is proof enough.
His hungry brown eyes capture mine and the rest of the world drops away. Sybil’s been right all along. I’m young and impulsive. Even Father grasped where I belong before I did.
“Why were we apart so long?” Our bodies aren’t touching because restraint is in order, but the craving radiating from us is nearly unbearable.
“Too long.”
“I hurt you.” My sheepish admittance makes him wince, which saddens me. “I hurt you, and I shouldn’t have. You don’t deserve it.”
“Wedon’t deserve it,” he counters, his eyes laced with sorrow and hunger.
“True.” I swallow my pride with the lump in my suddenly dry throat. “You know…” I start, “I was in love with you long before I met you in person.”
“I know.” His voice is composed, but his emotions are unmistakable.
“I’m so stubborn…” My brows knit and I worry the corner of my lower lip. “So stubborn..”
“Your stubbornness gives you your drive. I love that about you, amongst other things! As for me, well… I’m practically perfect in every way.”
We chuckle at that.
“I love you, Tig de Luca… so fucking much.”
“Ditto, Aliénor Godefroy de Briard.” With these words, his palms cup either side of my face. Seconds later, his mouth crashes into mine for a searing kiss.
When my tongue meets his and I’m introduced to another new piercing, I grin into the kiss. This tiny detail turns me on beyond belief, and I can’t wait for him to tease my nether region with his new toy. For now, it sends heat from my head down to my toes, making me lose all sense of reality. Time stops as our tongues make love for what seems like forever.
I can’t run away from this man ever again. I can’t hide from my feelings for him anymore. I can’t stand John Wayne any longer. So, there’s just one thing to say, though it pains me to break this welcome back kiss.
“I’m sorry.”
New Soul
EPILOGUE
Aliénor
Traditions are like old habits.They die hard. Why challenging Father’s decision didn’t cross my rebel mind is beyond me. He was expecting his five daughters to attend our monthly family reunion, aka Sunday brunch, without our men, and without fail.
“It’s good to see you smile, Aliénor.”
I make a point of ignoring Blanche’s comment—one that I’ve heard from scores of others ever since Tig’s hot lips regretfully parted from mine so that we could come up for air. In the middle of Sybil’s soon-to-be in-laws’ luxurious backyard. In the middle of my crushed logic and renewed certainty. In the middle of a crowd of family, friends, and strangers.
“Can I get a refill, please?” I hand my empty mug to Sybil, who obliges while Céline serves the second part of my healthy breakfast: a bowl packed with orange slices and fresh raspberries. I thank her and counter Blanche, “For the record, Ididsmile all the time!” Céline shakes her head, obviously agreeing with my family. I cross my arms and pout, making everyone laugh.
“You’re beaming and have faraway eyes. You’re sooo into him. It’s useless to deny it.” Blanche giggles. “So, I call bullshit, sister!”
“Language,” Father scolds.
I mutter incoherent words, nibble on some fruit, and reluctantly agree as my face heats in embarrassment. “I still can’t get over all the plotting, Sybil.”
“Well, you know me. I had to do something for my young and impulsive sister who was too stubborn to acknowledge that she went too far.”
Alright, alright, I get it!
Once Father read my post and learned that Sybil reached out to Tig, he had to wrap his head around the fact that I went after my oldest sister’s former hookup. He claims that he understands. He claims that it’s a modern fairytale. He claims that he approves of my omega artist. That remains to be put to the test in real life, though.
