Page 13 of Breakaway
Once the wall and tub are free of the evidence of my self-pleasure, I wash myself quickly. My hair will just have to be put up while it's still wet, but that's what I get for not prioritizing what needs to get done first. By the time I step out of the shower, my shadows are already back to reminding me what the plan is for today, and my cock is more than eager to rally. I brush a hand down my face, inhaling deeply. Today is going to test my sanity; I can already feel it.
"Kissing?" Reese asks, looking down at the notebook she has opened to where she's written down what's happening today. I don't blame her. Mauve has stuffed our day full, and it's all with the sole purpose of "soft launching" this relationship. I guess that's what it's called on Earth when one is seen out and about with another they might be dating. The "hard launch" will be next week when Reese speaks to an interviewer for the first time since the break-in.
Reese and I could've been caught together this week while I was staying in her apartment if we had left, but she was contentto spend her time inside. The only time we left her apartment was to visit the gym on one of the lower floors.
"At least on the beach," Mauve says from the front seat. What's really helped my shadows and my cock from misbehaving so far today has been the surprise that my mother was joining us on these excursions. Nothing puts quite the damper on one's newfound sexual interest like their mother being nearby.
"Tongue?" Reese asks, and I give her a bewildered look, one that has her cheeks flushing. It's not hard to make her blush, but then again, it's not hard to make me do it either. Between the two of us, we're just nonstop looking as though this whole thing is scandalous. Reese leans over to whisper to me so Mauve doesn't overhear. "Are you still comfortable with this?"
"I am," I tell her, hoping the stain of pink in my cheeks doesn't betray my words too much.
"Whatever you do, just make it believable," Mauve says from the front seat, her nails clacking against the screen of her comm as she scrolls over something. "It wouldn't do for the two of you to be awkward about the whole thing because then people might think we're making it up."
"Well, we are," Reese says with a little roll of her eyes.
"You're in her head," Mauve says, turning to look back at me. "Just do whatever she's comfortable with, and if you hear thoughts from whatever leeches are around taking pictures that make it seem as though they aren't believing it, make it more believable."
"He's not in my head," Reese says with absolutely no idea how much weight those words hold for anyone who knows anything about Sombran bonds.
Marr's brows shoot up his forehead at learning that, and I give him a little shrug of my shoulders when our eyes meet in the rearview mirror. My mother, gods bless her, doesn't miss a beat,though I already know I'm going to be getting a mental talking to from my father on her behalf soon.
"Ah, I see," Mauve says, her lips pressing tight for a moment, lines appearing there though I'd never tell her that. "Well, in that case, Zill will follow your lead." She says my name as she glares at me, the only hint I get that she is upset with me. It's her fault for hoisting me upon Reese without any sort of introduction beforehand. She's known the woman for a decade and told us all about her as Empress. Never once has she told us her name or even shown us any sort of image of her that might've clued anyone in on the fact that she's my soulbond. So really, all of this is pretty much Mauve's fault.
There's an incessant knocking against the barrier wrapped around my mind, and based on the way my mother hasn't gone back to looking at her comm, I have a good guess as to who it is. I lower my defenses for him, already knowing what he has to say, but knowing neither he nor my mother will be satisfied until they've said their piece.
What's this your mother's telling me about you finding your soulbond?My father doesn't waste time with pleasantries, which is fine by me. We're nearing the location of the first place we're meant to be seen as a couple, and I'd prefer not to have my father in my head while I'm also meant to be protecting Reese while also attempting to make it look like we're together.
As always, Mauve has made plans without consulting anyone, and now she's unhappy with the outcome.I respond, knowing full well Mauve is listening in on this. She scoffs dryly before turning her attention to Reese, the two of them continuing their conversation about plans while I deal with my father.
I don't think she's unhappy.My father's chuckle vibrates in my head.If she had known you would've bonded with Reese, she would've introduced you much sooner. She loves that girl.
I cut a glance to where Mauve is now looking at her comm as she and Reese go over more ideas. Reese is scribbling something down, her brown eyes flicking up to meet my gaze for a moment before she startles at being caught and returns to writing.
Even if that's the case, my priority is keeping Reese safe.I tell my father.
He's quiet for a long moment, probably conversing with my mother.Are you certain that keeping this from her is a wise idea?
Mom hasn't said anything either, so I think we're both aware of how skittish Reese is right now. Her protection is more important than me telling her she's the other half of my soul.
Just remember that every lie you tell now will be a reason for her to distrust you when you finally open up to her.My father's tone is more a warning than anything else.
I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. It's not even that I'm lying to her, but giving her the time to come to know me, to grow fond of me, without the weight of knowing that she is it for me. That's a lot of pressure to put on someone, especially someone not from the same species or even a species that has fated mates or bonded pairs.
No, unless Reese shows me genuine interest, I won't be telling her how much I'd like to be with her. At least not until this job is over. Once she's no longer my client and no longer in danger from overeager fans, then I'll let her know where I stand. If she's upset with me, then I'll handle it, but I'm not risking her safety just for my benefit.
I tell my father that I appreciate his advice before sealing my mind again, not leaving any cracks in the barrier as the transport slows to a stop.
Most of the morning was spent in my mother's office going over the plan for today. First thing on the agenda, having lunchat some high-end restaurant that is frequented by celebrities. Reese lifts her thumb to her mouth, chewing on the little stub of her nail as she looks at the restaurant.
There's no doubt that people are already camping out in transports or behind bushes or just off the property line, waiting to take pictures and videos of anyone of importance. She's nervous about this, and if she had it her way, this isn't how she'd want to do any of this.
"We don't have to go," I tell her, taking her hand when she relents on trying to gnaw her thumbnail off.
I interlock our fingers, hoping it's as calming for her as it is for me. Reese looks at me, her eyes glittering with emotions. I swear, if she starts crying, I'll take her anywhere she wants to go, even if it means brushing off all of Mauve's carefully laid plans.
"You do have to go," Mauve says, quirking a brow at me, all but begging me to argue with her. I'm just about to start when Reese squeezes my fingers, my shadows racing over the backseat and down my arm to wrap around her as much as I'll allow them to.
"We're going, we're going," Reese says, waving away my mother's concern as though she's accustomed to her getting her way. My mother can be a bit much, but she usually has everyone's best interest at heart, even if her methods might seem counterproductive.
