Page 52

Eden

I could barely hear anything above the sound of my heartbeat hammering a rapid rhythm in my ears. Bishop had gone still at my words, the hand on my back flexing briefly.

When he didn’t reply, not even to refuse my less-than-subtle suggestion, I took that as his answer, and started to draw away. The hand on my spine flattened, refusing to let me move.

“You don’t drop a proposition like that and then run away.” There was no hint in his tone to what he thought.

“You do when the response is silence.” My voice on the other hand was croaky and shaking. “I’m sorry. I was out of line. I should never have said it.”

“My silence was not meant to be an answer. I was fighting the urge to find that fucking lowlife and teach him what real fear is.” He dipped his head and rested his lips next to my ear. “Are you sure you don’t want to change your original answer and have me kill him?” His voice was rich, and deep, and full of darkness.

My heart lurched in my chest. It would be so easy to say yes.

What has changed? Why are you willing to consider it without saying no outright? Why are things different now?

“Eden?” His lips moved over my cheek.

Before I could reply, another voice cut in.

“Well, don’t you two look cozy. You don’t mind if I cut in, do you?”

“I do, actually.” Bishop didn’t even look at Susannah.

She laughed, high pitched and shrill. “You don’t mean that. Excuse me, Eden, I’d really like to talk to Bishop.”

Her words woke something inside me. I turned to face her. “My husband said no. Maybe you should give your husband the same attention you seem to be giving all the other men in here. Now if you will excuse us , I was dancing with my husband. Please … respectfully, get lost.”

The blonde’s jaw dropped and then she spun to Bishop. “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

“She was far more polite than I intended to be. Fuck off, Susannah.”

Her face turned red, and she gaped at us both for a moment longer, then her eyes narrowed. “You’ll regret this, Bishop.”

“I already do.” He took my hand and started to walk off the dance floor, then stopped and turned around. “Believe me, I’ve never fucking regretted anything more than the day I bought you that first fucking drink. Go back to your husband, Susannah, and stop fucking around.”

He set off at a speed that had me trotting to keep up with him.

“Bishop, slow down!” I clutched at his arm with my free hand.

He stopped abruptly and I crashed into him.

“Were you serious?”

“About what?”

“Making another memory.”

My cheeks flushed. “It was stupid.”

“Is that a no? Because I’d be happy to change the terms if you want to add it to the contract.”

“You’re just angry with Susannah.” Butterflies took off in my stomach.

He shook his head. “I’m angry with myself. I shouldn’t have been so stupid. But that has nothing to do with this . She interrupted our conversation; I’m simply returning to it.” Warm hands cupped my cheeks. “So, tell me, Eden, do you want to change our contract?”

***

Bishop’s arm brushed against mine as he reached for his drink. I jumped, the contact sending bolts of nervous tension through my veins. The last couple of hours had been a new kind of hell.

After admitting that, yes , I did want to change the terms of our contract, he’d given me a smile that curled my toes and a kiss that left me gasping for breath, then led me over to Rook and Magdalena where he spent the rest of the evening behaving like we hadn’t just decided to do … something .

What had we just agreed to? More kisses? Foreplay? Sex ?

I wasn’t sure, but there was no way I was going to ask him to clarify, which meant my senses leapt into high alert every time he moved, every time he spoke, and I found myself constantly sneaking glances at the time and wondering when it would be acceptable to leave the party.

Midnight came and went, and the party showed no signs of slowing down. Magdalena was curled up on Rook’s lap, head resting against his shoulder with her eyes closed. When she yawned for the fourth time, he chuckled.

“I think that’s our cue to leave.” He lifted the sleepy woman off his lap. “Come on, darlin’, let’s get you to bed.”

Magdalena sent me a smile. “You look beat. Maybe you should think about going to bed as well.” She curled her fingers around Rook’s and leaned against him. “We’re leaving early, so if we don’t see you, I’ll call you during the week and we’ll meet up.”

I smiled at her. “I’d like that.”

“Not Tuesday. We’re going to see Knight,” Bishop said. “Let me know if you want to come.” He directed that at Rook, who nodded.

“I’ll meet you there. Drop me a text with the time.” He led Magdalena across the terrace and indoors, pausing to speak to Crosby and Dana on the way.

I covered a yawn with one hand and shifted on the seat. I was exhausted, which surprised me considering I had a four-hour nap, but I didn’t want to say anything in case Bishop …

In case he what? Took it to mean you wanted to have sex?

Oh god … my stomach flipped as I thought back to what I’d said to him.

I basically asked him to have sex with me so that Chester wasn’t the last person I’d slept with as Eden Marshall.

“When you’re finished having your panic attack, I think we should get out of here.”

My eyes snapped to Bishop, who lounged in the seat beside me sipping a glass of whiskey.

“I’m not having a panic attack.”

His lips curled. “I’ve spent enough time around you now to know when you’re on the verge of panic. Relax, Eden. Nothing’s going to happen that you don’t want.”

He unfolded himself from the chair, took the glass from my hand and set it down on the table, then reached down to pull me upright. With a hand pressed to the small of my back, he guided me across the terrace.

“Congratulations on your engagement.” He stopped to shake Crosby’s hand and kiss Dana’s cheek. “We’re getting out of here before it gets rowdy.” He glanced over to where David and Susannah were clearly arguing.

“That your doing?” Crosby asked.

Bishop shrugged. “She doesn’t understand the word no.”

“Thought as much. I’ll speak to David.”

“I’d appreciate that.” The hand on my spine moved, urging me forward.

By the time we reached our room, I was shivering. Bishop opened the door and stood back to let me enter first, then followed me inside. The click as the door closed was loud in the silence of the room.

The butterflies in my stomach were performing loop-de-loops, my heart was thrashing against my ribs so hard I was sure it was going to break free.

“I’m just going t-to freshen up.” I stumbled over the words and turned toward the bathroom.

Bishop didn’t stop me and once inside, with the door closed, I clutched the countertop, closed my eyes, and sucked in a breath. One that ended in a surprised yelp when warm lips pressed against my shoulder.

Eyes flying open, I watched Bishop kiss his way toward my throat through the mirror’s reflection. His hands moved at my back and the bodice of my dress came loose as the sound of the zipper being drawn down broke the heavy silence. I pressed a hand against my breast to stop the dress from falling.

“Let it go,” he murmured against my throat. “I’ve seen you naked before, but this time I want to pay closer attention.”

Heat warmed my skin, a flush that started at my breasts and worked its way up to my face. Bishop’s hands curved over my shoulders, and smoothed down my arms until they covered mine. He linked our fingers and then pulled my hand away from my chest.

The dress fell free, dropping in a whisper of silk to my waist.

Even if I wanted to cover myself, I couldn’t. Bishop’s grip on my fingers stopped me from moving, and he slowly drew my arms down to my sides. His warm breath brushed over my ear.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.