AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m not the type of man who shares well, and I don’t expect you’re up for sharing me.”
Horror fills me. “Wait, what are you talking about?”
“No cheating. Monogamy. You know, traditional marriage, not sleeping around with other people.”
"Oh." My cheeks heat, and Neo brushes his thumb over my cheek.
“It’s cute that you blush. So I’m guessing you’ve never had sex.”
“Is it that obvious?”
He leans in so his lips are at my ear. His warm breath sends goosebumps down my back. I want to move closer to him, but I also want to back away. He scares me in some ways.
“I can give you pleasure you never dreamt of. Allow me to take you higher than you’ve ever imagined.”
My breath stalls out, and I have to force air into my lungs. I'm gasping, and Neo takes that moment to run his fingers over my nipples. The touch sends excitement through me. I can't believe he's touching me like this and that I'm letting him. I actually want his hands on me.
Neo steps back and flashes a quick smile. “We’ll talk about our relationship tomorrow after your class. I need to work a little more. Your father is expecting a wedding this week. It will be simple. Just the two of us, a witness, and someone to preside over the ceremony. I hope you won’t be too disappointed. We just can’t take chances right now. Not after what happened before.”
I nod, unsure how I feel about such a small ceremony. I don’t want to be difficult, but I wanted a big event for my wedding. Maybe this will be better. I can always have a party later.
“Sure, we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Tonight, while you’re in bed alone, I want you to think of me touching you. I want you to imagine my hands on your body.”
Again, my breath catches. He caught me off guard. Should I tell him to leave me alone? There’s something I saw in his eyes the first time we met, then later when we were dealing with his father. Neo isn’t like many of the other men I know. If this works out, and I pray it does, Neo is the type of man I want to be with. Maybe I’m too immature to see the truth of who Neo is, but I have a feeling I can trust him.
ChapterThirteen
Niallan (Neo)
Who the hell attacked our family? I need that information, but who will admit to attacking us? Many of the Scorpio Society operates in the shadows. Tonight at ten we have a meeting. There will be posturing, like always, but I can figure something out, hopefully.
Before I leave, I call in two guards. I can't have Adali attacked again. Dad is fading too fast to be of any use. I'll have to hire a nurse soon.
The meeting starts on time, and I'm in my seat between Ainsworth and Kinsley. I've taken over their accounts. We never talk about money or how much I've laundered for them while in public, but they both smile and wink at me. There isn't anyone here who I don't clean cash for. They all currently use my services. Some keep their business mostly above board, but they all have secret stashes they need help with.
Jonathan stands at the head of the table, his eyes narrow. “I see we’re all here.”
The members nod and flash smiles as the most powerful men and women in the world sit back and settle in for this meeting. We're discussing who is up for initiation. I don't hear anyone objectionable until we're near the end.
“Adali Gale.”
“No!” Eric Gale roars as he stands at the end of the table.
“Why? Adali is brilliant. She’s a natural. Maybe smarter than anyone else who has entered the society in years.” Ainsworth isn’t backing down.
"Listen, Ainsworth, I'll not have her in this society."
Stonewall holds up his hand, stopping the debate. "Gale, if her mother was still alive and your family hadn't taken her in, she would be given a chance. If she's as brilliant as Callum says, then she's someone we need. We need more than just bruisers and jocks who can help us maintain our positions with force. We need people who can advance us to the next level. We aren't just here to play dress up."
I haven’t spoken to Eric Gale. I've been trying to ignore him. I don't want him to see the truth that I'm the one who will marry Adali. She's smart, but she doesn't lord it over people. She's not one of those jerks who puts down others just to show off. From what I've seen, she's levelheaded, but would she make a good society member? I'm unsure.
Their arguments continue, but I refuse to get into the middle of this. I can’t allow the truth to get out right now. My father is dying, he almost screwed up so much our company had to close, and he’s not going to marry Eric Gale’s daughter. Gale is pissed. If he figures out the trifecta of deception we’re embroiled in, he’ll try to cut me off at the knees. I can’t have him doing that right now. No, the plan needs to be executed before he gets wind of our subterfuge.
After the meeting ends, I sneak out, avoiding Gale. I open the files on my computer at home and make sure I've done all I can to reverse the disaster my father created. Bed calls, and I head up, knowing I'll not get enough sleep and need to catch up at some point. Too much is going on. We need a break, but I fear I won’t have one until it’s too late.
I'm in my bed, almost asleep, when the door squeaks. My eyes flash open as I reach for my gun, prepared to fend off attackers.
