Either way, it’s not going to end well.
Chapter 36
Breaking by the Gardiniums
CHARMING
Acrash explodes off to the side, a hail of shattering glass.
A heavyset Caucasian man is now surrounded by a scattering of broken glasses from the tray he dropped. The hulking familiar is almost round as he is tall with dark hair and a generous beard. He stares at the mess by his feet as if trying to discern what has happened but is too thralled to truly comprehend.
Something about him brushes against my brain with familiarity, but I don’t have time to dig into my memories. I’m going to take advantage of the distraction.
A second ago, everyone’s attention was fastened on us, but the crash has broken the tension and they’ve all gone back to their own conversations. Cinder is barely keeping her shit together while her stepfamily looks on the mess in shock and annoyance.
My father frowns, realizing he’s lost the spotlight to the shit show he was trying to choreograph.
“Oh, that’s a shame,” I say lazily. “What a waste of good champagne and blood.” I grin too wide at Cinder’s stepfamily.
Anastasia’s body sways toward mine by inches and I can tell she can barely hold herself back. To say she’s thrown herself at me in the past is quite literal. The number of times she’s dropped a handkerchief for me to pick up, or swooned in faints I’ve needed to save her from is a number so tedious I haven’t bothered to keep count.
“If you’ll excuse us, I think I’d like to show my bride the gardinium flowers of the hedge maze until this mess is cleaned up.” I sniff in distaste, then lead Cinder by the arm toward the opening of the maze.
When we are far enough away, I turn her around to face me. Cinder’s already pale skin is now white as a sheet. Her eyes are sunken black pools of dilated pupils, and she’s trembling.
“What’s wrong? Tell me,” I urge, not keeping the panic from cutting through my voice.
She shakes her head.
Okay, so she can’t tell me why they rattle her so much. I have my suspicions, but my wild imagination conjures up too much to be trusted.
The scars flash in my mind’s eye.
A murderous flame flares inside me.
Calm down. You don’t know anything. Don’t assume anything.
“What do you need?” I ask, sliding a hand up her cheek, running my thumb across her jawline, keeping her eyes on me. I can find out the facts later, but Cinder needs me right this second.
Whatdoesshe need?
Water? Her iron supplements? I have some in my pocket along with a snack bar. Does she need to sit down? If only I could get her a pumpkin spice latte?—
Her mouth collides with mine with a fervor I’m not expecting. The kiss is hungry, desperate. She needs to escape whatever is inside her.
“Are you sure?” I break long enough to ask.
“I need it, now,” she practically growls.
This I can do. It’s what I’m good at.
Stepping fully into her space until I’m looking straight down at her, I cup her face with both hands as I push my tongue past her teeth to sweep inside her mouth. I taste and tease her until she sags against me, still trembling but less violently.
Black polish nails scratch at the nape of my neck sending goosebumps careening along a path over my chest and arms to where I’m already stiffening.
“More,” she rasps.
Her hand sweeps over my hardening length and I groan into her mouth. Now she’s not the only one who’s desperate.
