I pushed the d
oor open and was immediately greeted by Cole, Josie, Hunter, and Ryker. The store was filled with the entire Winchester family plus Isabelle. Since the furniture wasn’t here yet, the sound of voices was amplified. I felt like I just stepped into a stadium. Amelia and Mick waved to me from next to the buffet.
“When did you all arrive?” I asked. “I thought it was supposed to start in ten minutes.”
“It was, but Tess and Skye asked us to come earlier. Emergency family council,” Ryker said.
Josie grimaced. “You weren’t supposed to give that away.”
Ryker cocked a brow. “They never said it’s a secret.”
“I think my wife is right,” Hunter said, putting an arm around Josie’s shoulders.
Emergency what? My pulse sped up. “Where is Tess?”
“Some of their VIPs saw that the party started earlier and came in too. They took them to the changing rooms, where we’re not allowed,” Cole said. “But don’t worry, she’ll come out eventually. We can entertain you in the meantime.”
I rubbed a hand over my jaw. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to spend time with them, because I did. But I needed to talk to Tess first. I had a bad feeling when I left the store before, and now it was just getting worse.
I shrugged out of my coat, intending to take it easy and enjoy a drink with the Winchester clan while Tess tended to her customers.
Five minutes later, I broke down and asked Josie to tell Tess I wanted to talk to her. She headed to the back and returned with Tess, who’d changed into a black wraparound dress that was driving me crazy even from a distance. It was tight around her body, molding perfectly around her breasts and hips. And those heels...fuck.
I met her halfway.
“Babe, you look beautiful,” I said, leading her a bit farther from the group, near one of the mannequins.
She gave me a small smile. “Thanks. Josie said you need me.”
“Can’t I compliment my gorgeous woman?”
She tilted her head, smiling even wider. “Compliments are always welcome, but we have customers out there.”
“Ryker said you wanted an emergency family council.”
“Ummm, yes.” She averted her gaze.
My stomach clenched, but I wanted to keep things light.
“Never heard you mention family councils. Is that more serious than a meeting?”
Tess sighed before nodding.
“Babe, talk to me,” I said.
“Can we do it after the customers leave?”
I stepped closer, cupping her face. “You want to torture me that long?”
I looked her straight in the eyes, watching her determination melt until she shook her head.
“I think Skye can handle the customers for a few minutes. Let’s go in the back office,” she murmured.
We passed the changing rooms, which were shielded from the store by a huge black curtain. Tess closed the door behind us in the office.
“Tess, talk to me.”
She paced the room, arms over her chest as she bit her lower lip. I grabbed her shoulder, steadying her so we had eye contact. I touched her lip where she bit before.