Page 31 of Liberating Bells
I nearly choke on my champagne, and Josie looks at me with wide eyes and pink cheeks. “We’re um, we’re not together. Definitely not having babies anytime soon. Or ever.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” Mark says, his expression darkening in a way as he looks over at Izabel. I catch the malice in his dark gaze, which makes me want to throw up. He glares at her for a second before his expression morphs into one that appears loving. It’s so smooth that it makes my unease amplify with how quickly he was able to switch his mood. “We’re hoping to start trying right after the wedding. Who knows? Maybe we’ll have a honeymoon baby.”
Izabel looks down at her plate with a blush and bites her lip in a way that I want to believe is how any fiancée would react to her future husband’s suggestion. My stomach roils, making me feel ill. I force it back and take another sip of my champagne, finishing off the glass. Josie watches me like a hawk, her eyes narrowed. I stare back at her with a look that hopefully tells her to get off my back.
The conversation dies after that. We all finish eating in silence, a few mutters here and there. After we eat, everyone disperses off to do their own thing. Juliet and Liam get up to check out the silent auction. Izabel gets up to go check that everything is still running smoothly, and Mark goes with her. Josie strikes up another conversation with Todd.
I stay in my seat for a while, observing. A while later, I notice Mark pull his cellphone out of a jacket pocket and frown as he lifts it up to his ear. He walks out of the banquet room doors and disappears as he takes the call.
The band strikes up a slower melody, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m on my feet. I put a hand on Josie’s shoulder and lean over to whisper to her. “Mark just walked out of the hall on his phone. I’m going over to dance with Izabel. Cover me. Do whatever you have to do to distract him.”
Josie’s hazel eyes dance with the responsibility of the assignment. “On it.” She stands up and strides closer to the doors, striking up a conversation with a random person so she can catch Mark as soon as he comes back in.
I make my way toward where Izabel is. She startles when I approach her, but quickly relaxes when she sees it’s me. A small smile plays on her lips that are painted with a nude lipstick.
“Hey, Ry,” she says. “Did you get a chance to look over these auction items? They’re going to go quick.”
I reach out a hand. “Dance with me.” Izabel’s blue eyes widen a fraction, and then dart around the room in concern. “He’s out of the room on a call, it’s all clear. Dance with me.”
Though she’s hesitant, her left hand finds mine. I notice her fingernails are painted in a blue shade that matches her dress. Her engagement ring sparkles, looking much too gaudy for her beautiful hands. I grip her fingers and lead her behind me.
When we’re on the dance floor, I turn around and capture her in my arms. One hand holds hers outright, while my other finds the small dip in her lower back. I apply gentle pressure there, pulling her into me until our fronts are flush. She’s so close to me now that our cheeks are almost touching. Normally, I’m much taller than her, but the heels she’s wearing tonight seem to level the playing field. I hold her close as we sway with the music.
I’m consumed by everything Izabel. The way her small body fits against mine like the missing piece of the puzzle. Her warmth pressed against me. The swish of her dress against the floor. Izabel’s perfume wafts up, invading my senses—a sweet-smelling blend of pears and vanilla. I lean my face into her and breathe her in.
“You look gorgeous tonight, Bells,” I say softly against her skin. I see her try and fail to hide the shiver that tingles down her spine.
She pulls away slightly until we’re face to face. “I shouldn’t be doing this, Ryan.” Her eyes dart around again. “Mark said I should try to keep my distance tonight.”
“Ah, of course. Mark,” I mutter. “Did your sweet fiancé mention that he came to visit me at work the Monday after you stopped by my house?”
Izabel freezes, her panicked eyes meeting mine. “No. No, he didn’t.”
I press my lips together and hum. “Oh yes, he was spewing a lot of big, bad threats. But don’t worry,” I say, shooting her a smirk, “I told him I wasn’t scared of him.”
With an expression of horror, she shakes her head and looks me dead in the eye. “Do not push him, Ryan. Mark is a lot stronger than he looks.”
My heart skips a beat, and not in a good way. My attention scours every inch of her face, searching for any type of clue. I narrow my eyes at her, my blood heating, and growl, “What thefuckisthatsupposed to mean?”
She shies away from my tone, and I curse myself internally.
Keep it together, Ryan. Calm. Cool. Collected.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly, pulling her in close again and rubbing my nose against her jaw. The action is horribly intimate, and I know I’m playing a dangerous game with Mark wandering around here somewhere, but I can’t seem to stop myself. Our kiss from a few weeks ago still lingers on my lips, and I’m dying to get another taste of her.
“It’s okay,” she whispers back, sounding breathless. “I just mean that he might look lanky and weak, but he could hold his own if he had to. Even against you.”
“Ah.”
I flex my hand against her lower back, bringing her even closer to me. The song ends, and they begin another slower one. Izabel tightens her hold around my body and leans herhead against my shoulder as we move together. I close my eyes, pressing my cheek onto her hair. This is heaven.
I don’t let myself relax too much, knowing the line we’re skirting. Another song comes and goes. My eyes catch Josie’s near the door. She’s watching us, a knowing smile on her face, and she shoots me a thumbs up. We’re still in the clear.
“Tell me something I don’t know, Bells.”
I feel her smile against my shoulder. She takes a moment as she thinks of a good one. “Since 1945, all British military tanks have the essentials to make tea inside of them.”
I chuckle against her, loving the nostalgia our game gives me. It all feels normal, it feels right. And then I see Josie stiffen from across the room as Mark comes barreling inside, a scowl on his face. Josie intercepts him, walking right in his path and spilling a glass of champagne all down his pants.
