A Cut so Deep - Dani Rene Page 0,66
the dance, but she doesn’t realize that, afterward, if I really want to claim her as mine, this town doesn’t like anything they deem forbidden. They don’t like rules being broken. And Nesrin and I are going to make them talk.
Even though my plan is to head to England when Daddy Dearest returns, I want to ensure she’s safe. Her being here alone doesn’t sit well with me. But the thought of dragging her across the ocean, that might work.
I wanted to fight my feelings for her. I should’ve fought my attraction, but I knew the girl who watched me in the greenhouse the night of our parents’ wedding reception would be mine.
She is everything I craved, and she gives me everything I need. I think back to the night of the party when she was talking to Creed. Her laugh echoed across to me, and even then, I knew I would kill him before I allowed him to have her.
But she doesn’t know the truth. And I’m going to have to tell her everything. Perhaps not tonight. Maybe I can delay it till tomorrow.
Suddenly, Nesrin appears at the top of the staircase. Her hair has been curled around her shoulders, which are bare. The halter neck of the dress is bound, holding up the sleek material, which seems to be painted to every curve of her body.
The moment she takes a step, her left leg bares itself to me, as the slit opens from her ankle, all the way up to her smooth, slender thigh.
Jesus fucking Christ Almighty.
“You’re not wearing that,” I bite out, as raging jealousy courses through me. I take a step, but she lifts her hand and stops me as she reaches the bottom of the steps.
“I’m a grown woman, Damien. I am yours, but I also have my own mind. If you can’t trust me,” she says, squaring her shoulders, “then we may as well go separately.” Her chin tips upward, and that familiar fire in her gaze dances wildly, challenging me to argue.
“You’re going to be the death of me one day, wild rose,” I tell her. “And it’s not you I don’t trust. It’s all those men who’ll be in attendance.”
“They can’t touch me without my permission,” she bites out, and I have to agree. Because if they come anywhere near her with their filthy hands, I’ll kill them all.
I lift the mask I’d been holding and offer it to her. The intricate silver design looks like lace, which will curve and mold to her face perfectly. She smiles, moving slowly toward me. The choker I gave her fits snugly around the delicate column of her neck, and I can’t stop the grin that tilts my lips.
“You do look exquisite. Thankfully, you’re all mine,” I tell her, as I lean in to press my lips to hers. She’s got a darker shade of lip color on; it’s not shimmering or glossy, but the contrast of the deep red with her caramel skin looks like it was made just for her.
“Thank you. You scrub up well,” she informs me, with a naughty grin on her pretty face. No, she’s not just pretty. This woman is flawless.
“Tonight, you stay beside me. I don’t want you alone with Creed. At all.”
“What happened between the two of you?” she questions, and my heart stops for a short moment. My chest tightens, and I’m not sure how to answer her because, if I do, I’ll have to tell her the truth. The reason she’s here, the reason I chose her, and also, who she really is.
“Why don’t we enjoy this evening, and when we get home, we can talk,” I suggest, not wanting to spoil the ball for her. As much as I know she needs to learn what’s been hidden from her, I can’t bring myself to utter the words.
I pushed it to the back of my mind for weeks. And, before that, I knew the time would come when I would need to tell her everything, but not right now.
“Let’s go.”
We make our way to the car, and I open the door, allowing her to slip into the backseat. Our driver nods when I round the vehicle, giving him the gesture that we’re ready.
Since Cass and Finn are gone already, we can have some privacy on our drive into town and then back out toward the castle. The darkness swallows us as the Thorne driver, Hank, takes us to the party.
“What happens at this event?” Nesrin