Entwined with You(116)

“Silver.”


“Really?” His voice took on a warm purr that made my toes flex. “I can’t wait to see you in it. And out of it.”


“You won’t be waiting,” I admonished. “You’d better have your fine ass over here in about ten minutes.”


“Yes, ma’am.”


My eyes narrowed. “Hurry up or we won’t have any limo time.”


“Umm … I’ll be there in five.”


He hung up and I held my phone for a minute, smiling.


“Who was that?” my mom asked, coming up beside me.


“Gideon.”


Her eyes lit up. “He’s escorting you tonight?”


“Yes.”


“Oh, Eva.” She hugged me. “I’m so glad.”


With my arms around her, I figured it was as good a time as any to start spreading the engagement news. I knew Gideon wasn’t going to wait long before insisting on sharing our marriage with the world.


I said quietly, “He asked Dad for permission to marry me.”


“Did he?” When she pulled back, she was smiling. “He talked to Richard, too, which I think is such a nice touch, don’t you? I’ve already started planning. I was thinking June, at the Pierre, of course. We’ll—”


“I suggest December, at the latest.”


My mother gasped, her eyes widening. “Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no way to pull off a wedding in that amount of time. It’s impossible.”


I shrugged. “Tell Gideon you’re thinking of June next year. See what he says.”


“Well, I have to wait until he actually proposes first!”


“Right.” I kissed her cheek. “I’m going to get dressed.”


23


I WAS IN my room, sliding the strapless gown up over my matching bustier, when Gideon came in. I literally stopped breathing, my gaze drinking in his reflection in my cheval mirror. Standing behind me in a tuxedo tailored just for him, with a lovely gray tie that matched my dress so well, he was dazzling. I’d never seen him look so gorgeous.


“Wow,” I breathed, entranced. “You are so getting laid tonight.”


His mouth quirked. “Does that mean I can skip zipping you up?”


“Does that mean we can skip going to this thing?”


“Not a chance, angel. I’m showing off my wife tonight.”


“No one knows I’m your wife.”


“I know it.” He came up behind me and secured my zipper. “And soon—really soon—the world will know it.”


I leaned back into him, admiring our joint reflection. We took great pictures together.


Which made me think of other pictures …


“Promise me,” I said, “that you’ll never watch the video.”


When he didn’t answer me, I turned to look at him directly. When I saw the closed-off look on his face, I started freaking out. “Gideon. Did you watch it already?”


His jaw tightened. “A minute or two. Nothing explicit. Just enough to prove validity.”


“Oh my God. Promise me you won’t watch it.” My voice rose and grew sharp as panic spread through me. “Promise me!”


His hands encircled my wrists and squeezed hard enough to make my breath catch. I stared at him, wide-eyed, confused by the sudden aggression.


“Calm down,” he said quietly.


The oddest rush of warmth spread outward from where he touched me. My heart beat faster, but also steadier. I stared at our hands, my attention catching on his ruby ring. Red. Like the cuffs he’d bought for me. I felt similarly captured and bound now. And it soothed me in a way I didn’t understand.


But Gideon obviously did.


That was why I’d been afraid to marry him so quickly, I realized. He was taking me on a journey that had an unknown destination and I had agreed to follow him blindfolded. It wasn’t about where we’d end up as a couple, because that was never in question. We were obsessed, dependent on each other in the unrelenting way of addicts. Where I would end up, who I’d be at the end, was what I didn’t know.


Gideon’s transformation had been almost violent, happening in a moment of sharp clarity when he’d comprehended that he wouldn’t—couldn’t—live without me. My change was more gradual, so painstakingly measured that I’d believed I wouldn’t have to change at all.


I was wrong.


Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I spoke more steadily. “Gideon, listen. Whatever’s on that video, it’s nothing compared to what you and I have. The only memories I want in your head are ones we make. What we’ve got together … that’s the only thing that’s real. The only thing that matters. So please … promise me.”


He closed his eyes briefly, then nodded. “All right. I promise.”


I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”


Lifting my hands to his mouth, he kissed them. “You’re mine, Eva.”