“Consider it done.”
“But I didn’t tell you what I wanted.”
“I don’t just know what’s in your head, Mian. I also know what’s in your heart.”Chapter SeventeenMIANI WALKED BAREFOOT down a rose-lined path, inching nearer and nearer to the end. Sunshine brighter than I’d ever witnessed surrounded me and warmed my blood. Birds with feathers the color of spring sang and danced around me, but instead of a happy, musical lilt, they screamed at me to turn back. Flee.
I wanted to.
But Angel’s promise of beauty and pleasure pulled me closer to my doom.
“When you retreat inside your head, you let down your guard, and I can see everything you’re thinking.” He trailed a wet finger across my forehead, smoothing the frown lines before pulling away.
“What am I thinking?” I challenged. I was sitting in his lap, my back to his chest as we soaked our tired bones in the white marble tub. I committed to memory the hand painted walls, marble floors, and the skylight above us because no matter what Angel threatened, this was temporary.
“You’re thinking marriage to me is all you’ve ever wanted after all.” I chanced a peek over my shoulder. His smile was quick and full of charm, but I wasn’t so easily fooled. Not anymore.
“Not even close.” I pinched his cheek and shook his face. “But you’re cute when you dream.”
He snatched his face away and quickly captured my fingers between his teeth. I yelped and scrambled away. Water sloshed over the rim of the tub and onto the marble. The predatory light in his eyes as I settled on the opposite side was a warning. I could catch you whenever I want. My fingers where he bit me throbbed. I glared. He smiled.
“You should keep your mouth to yourself.”
The cocky bastard slid lower until he was lounging with one leg planted and his toes brushing my hip. I almost jerked away, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.
“But it’s my favorite way to make you come.”
My clit pulsed, and I wanted his teeth sinking into my thigh just before his tongue lapped up proof that I wanted him. My two-timing cunt always gave away my secrets.
“The water is getting cold,” I said dismissively.
After an uncomfortable moment of staring he rose from the tub, dripping with lavender soap and water. It was glorious and gaudy, and it made me want to use my tongue to trace every path the water took until he was completely dry.
If he noticed my staring, he didn’t let on as he helped me out and handed me a towel.
Back in the bedroom, he dug through my bag and handed me a pair of my jeans and a shirt before dressing himself in dark jeans and white Henley. I followed him with his hand on the small of my waist down the wide hall until we reached the same room I had found this morning.
I could hear Caylen’s laugh on the other side of the door and didn’t wait for permission or for Angel to open the door. I pushed inside and felt Angel’s hovering as he stood behind me.
Lucas and Z, crouching on their haunches in the middle of the room, hadn’t seemed to notice us. Their attention was too focused on my son standing between them as he nibbled and drooled on his fist. “Come on, little man.” Caylen grinned at Z. “You can say it.”
My head cocked, wondering exactly what he wanted him to say.
“Say Daddy,” Lucas gently demanded a moment later.
Angel swore though it sounded as if it were covering up a laugh.
Z frowned. “Do you think he won’t say it because he knows we’re not his father?”
I’d had enough. “What the fuck is going on here?”
Lucas and Z rose to their full height. Z tossed me an apologetic look while Lucas grinned and shrugged. Caylen noticed me and wobbled toward me as fast as his baby legs would allow.
“Mama.”
“Oh, sure,” Lucas drawled. “That he will say.”
“Mama’s boy,” Z coughed. I picked my son up and glared at Angel’s idiotic friends.
“What the hell is your problem? Why would you do that?”
“We thought we might help.”
“His father doesn’t even want him.” Their gazes lifted over my head and their smiles brightened.
“Well, we figured with the marriage and all—” My growl was more than enough to keep Z from finishing that sentence.
“Stay away from my son.” I turned to leave and glared at their leader when he didn’t move. Wordlessly, he stepped aside. I met his gaze as I passed him, but his expression was unreadable, so I fixed my attention on Caylen.
“Did those bad men try to confuse you?”
He giggled and waved at them over my shoulder.
I was seething as their laughter followed me down the hall. This place was easy to get lost in, and with Angel’s family in residence, I didn’t want to chance running into any of them.