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“I am.” I’m surprised he thinks I’m acting, and I guess my words stun him and a little of the darkness leaves his eyes as he whispers, “Then it is my turn to thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for being devoted to you. It’s in the marriage contract.”
“Of course.” I hate that the light dims a little and he surprises me by saying, “What do you want from the contract, Purity?”
I consider his words carefully.
What do I want? I never really considered it before now and, pulling back, I sit beside him and say wistfully, “I want my life to count for something. I always have. You see –”
I turn and smile sadly. “I should have been happy with my life. I knew no different. It was all so simple, really. Do as I was told and that would never change, just the man telling me. First my father and then my husband. It was expected.”
“So, what changed?” He strokes my back, and it’s so nice. More intimate somehow than what we just did.
“I watched programs on the television that opened my eyes. I heard whispers of life outside Heaven that claimed many of the folk who ran past the mountain range. It became a myth, a legend and a dream. Some said if you ran, the devil was waiting on the other side to drag you to hell. Others said it was the promised land. When I saw Miss. Sinclair smoking a cigarette, leaning against the white car my world stopped turning. Right before my eyes was living proof of a different life. A more exciting life. One that I wanted so badly I could hardly think straight. When she spoke to me, I loved her soft, lilting voice. She seemed so kind, so self-assured and like nothing I had ever seen before. I wanted to be like her and when she dropped her card in my hand, it was as if she was giving me the keys to freedom.”
I turn and Killian is staring at me with a strange mixture of interest and a deep yearning, and I recognize that look. I see it in the mirror when I gaze at my own reflection and impulsively, I touch his cheek and press my thumb against his rough skin.
“I wanted to discover what freedom tasted like. To breathe it in and let it wash over me. To make my own choices. To understand the whole of the world and not just Heaven. To experience the secrets that were waiting over that mountain range and one day to wear a smart dress and drive a white car. I wasn’t interested in the cigarette though. It smelled kind of strange.”
He laughs softly. “Good choice.”
With a deep breath, I smile at him and whisper, “I took my chance, and I found you. Miracles do happen and I truly believe God directed me into your path. The devil wasn’t waiting on the other side of the mountain range, after all. You make me happy, Killian, and together we will charm those guests and achieve good things. You can count on me.”
He nods and then closes his eyes and breathes out a long-drawn-out breath, his hand finding mine and holding on tight. Is it relief or something else, I can’t quite tell and when he opens them, I register the glint of power flashing in his eyes.
“We shouldn’t keep our guests waiting.”
In the brief second before we move, an understanding passes between us. We signed a contract. I have the rings on my finger as a reminder of that. This marriage will count for something amazing and if we fall in love, I will consider my life complete.
CHAPTER42
KILLIAN
Inever understood the power of words until I met Purity. She is like an open book and wears her emotions in plain sight. I know where I am with her and yet I’m not where I want to be. Her tales of home unleash the beast inside me because her father is drowning in hypocrisy. Preaching one thing and doing another and yet he has somehow molded her into the perfect woman.
My perfect woman. Strong, beautiful and brave. Qualities I admire and love to test.
We head to our respective closets after showering together and I loved her infectious giggle as we fooled around in the steam. I never understood the benefits of spending time with a woman. I suppose because I hadn’t met her yet. Now I have, I want to keep her and if that is going to happen, I must make her fall in love with me. It should be easy. I can give her everything she desires, but what happens when she discovers the devilwaswaiting on the other side of that mountain range?
I have a bad premonition about tonight. Anxiety isn’t something I’m used to, but I have bucket loads where it concerns her. The thought of her staring at me with anything but adoration is killing me inside because, as sure as I’m breathing, she will soon learn exactly what I’m capable of.
When we meet in the bedroom, words fail me. She stands like a vision dressed in white silk that flows around her body, touching her in places I am jealous of. Has it really come this? Jealous of a fucking dress, which tells me I’m fucked already. The unthinkable has happened and I am viewing her as more than a business contract now.
She is my most potent desire and the life in my veins. She gives my life meaning with a soft smile and the desire lit in her eyes. If only she felt the same, we would be invincible.
She twirls in the highest heels and grins.
“I’ve been practicing. What do you think?”
I gaze at the beauty before me, loving the sense of ownership as I stare at the diamond collar around her neck. Her white hair piled on top of her head, held in place by a silver tiara. She is wearing long black gloves that are in direct contrast to her smooth white skin and her make-up is amazing considering she’s only just learning how to apply it.
“You are beautiful, Purity.” I really mean that and can’t tear my eyes from the vision before me.
“Thanks, honey, you look very handsome too.”
She smiles, and it’s as if the sun comes out, lighting the darkest part of my soul.
I reach out and as her hand finds mine, I whisper huskily, “Let’s get this over with. I’m impatient to see what’s under that dress.”
