Page 17 of Drowning in Sins
There was something about watching her when she thought nobody was paying attention. I knew she felt free and like she could be herself. I wanted her to feel that way around me. I wouldn’t normally say I was an impatient man, but I was ready to get to that point of this relationship.
In less than forty-eight hours, we’d be married, and I was more than ready for it. To have that kind and beautiful soul tethered to me for eternity, I was the luckiest man in the world.
I didn’t want to interrupt her, but I wanted to be around her. So, I waited another moment before making a noise to make my presence known. As if I just arrived.
Annetta glanced up from where she’d been brushing the horse and talking to it. “Simon, I didn’t know you were here.”
“Our mothers are having tea, and I decided to tag along and come find you.” I stepped closer.
She nodded with a smile. “That’s nice.” She placed the brush on the shelf and ran her hand along the horse before closing the stall behind her to approach me. “Excuse the mess.” She gestured down at her appearance, her nose scrunching slightly. “I wasn’t expecting to see anyone for a while.”
“We’ll be seeing each other in various appearances soon enough.” I chuckled. “Wait until you see my morning hair.”
Annetta laughed. “Did you want to walk?”
I nodded, and we left the stable, walking leisurely in step through the small field and into the gardens behind their home.
“I know we haven’t talked much about the future. After the honeymoon sail, I’d love to take you on my next trip if you’re up for it. We’ve got trades coming up that will be keeping me busy, but I’d enjoy that time together.” This was a conversation I wasn’t looking forward to. I wanted her to join me, but I wouldn’t push it. “If you’re not used to it, you can get seasick though. The house in the country will be ready for you to use while I’m away. Unless you’d rather stay in your family homeuntil I return. I tried to come up with many options for you to have a choice.”
She halted. “A choice?” Her eyes widened. “I wasn’t expecting that. I’d like to think on it.”
“Of course.” I nodded.
The wind caught a strand of her hair, and it flittered over her face. I brushed it behind her ear, then kept my hand near her face. Her lips parted, and her eyes flickered between mine and my mouth.
Just one taste. I hadn’t kissed her yet, because I didn’t want to put pressure on her, but the look on her face drew me in. I leaned in slowly, making my intention known. Giving her every opportunity to stop the advance from happening.
She may become my wife the day after tomorrow, but I didn’t want that first kiss to be in front of an audience. Her eyes closed as my lips touched hers.
My arm wrapped around her, and she relaxed into my embrace. It was heaven on earth.
Chapter Sixteen
ROSALYN
It was chilling looking at your reflection and wondering if you were truly seeing yourself or someone who simply looked like you. As if the mirror I’d been staring at was a window to another world. I half-expected the woman looking back at me to say something. Logically, I knew it was ridiculous. The dreams were messing with my mind.
Every time my eyes closed, I entered a place where my mind grew fuzzy. I was both myself and not. Clouded by relationships in a world that wasn’t mine yet felt real. The feelings didn’t simply stop when I woke up.
I knew my feelings for Frederick and Kai were stronger because of the dreams. Seeing their faces as characters in a story not mine, but with all the emotional history, messed with my head.
I walked back to the bed and fell onto it, tempting myself to go back to sleep and try to get rest. My eyes grew heavy just before a loud pounding came from my door.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I rolled up and off the bed and stepped toward the noise.
Through the little peephole, I could see Tyler and Beth with smiles on their faces. I threw open the door and glared at them.
“You look like shit.” Tyler laughed as he forced himself in my room.
I flipped him off and then made a face at the pair of them. “What are y’all doing here?”
Beth entered my room. “We’re going out on the town. Some locals invited us, so get changed for fun on the beach.” She smiled.
“I don’t want to go to a party.” I needed quality sleep. Although, maybe I could drink enough to not dream and just sleep off a hangover for a couple of days. That could work.
“Come on. It’ll be fun,” Beth pleaded.
“You look like you need this.” Tyler sat in the chair in the corner. “We’re leaving in ten minutes, and I’ll owe you a bag of sour candy.”
