Knowing he wanted everyone to get a good look at her rings, she said, “See, I told you my mate was possessive.”
Mouth curved, he spoke against her temple. “Sorry, baby, but we’ll have to do what drives you and your demon crazy.”
She couldn’t help that her upper lip curled a little. “Mingle.”
He chuckled. “Yes, mingle.”
Her shoes clacked along the floor as they moved. Thankfully she’d walked around the mansion in them to break them in, so they weren’t chafing the back of her ankles. “Fine, but can we start with Jolene?” Harper gestured to the corner, where her grandmother was studying a sculpture of a naked male with Raini, Devon, Beck, and Ciaran.
“Of course,” said Knox.
But, to Harper’s annoyance, it didn’t prove to be as simple as that. They headed for Jolene but got waylaid several times by people who wanted to chat, including Thatcher and Mila. As Harper smiled at each and every person, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was looking right at one of the Horsemen. Some commented on the rings, others didn’t, but they all seemed shocked – no surprise there.
The sentinels stayed close, all prepared for action. Just because Roan and Crow were dead didn’t mean the other two Horsemen wouldn’t strike at the event, though she seriously doubted they would. They’d have to come up with a whole new plan now that they’d lost yet another key player. She wondered if they even knew that Roan was dead yet. Well, if they didn’t, they would find out when Knox made his announcement.
To Harper’s extreme disappointment, Alethea wasn’t one of the people who approached them. But Harper did catch a glimpse of her chatting with Jonas, Raul, and a few others on the other side of the dome.
Having Knox at her side should have made the mingling bearable. But every touch was sensual, possessive, and teasing. Really, it was like being subjected to a sensory overload. His fingers combed through her hair, trailed along her spine, and massaged her inner wrist. His hand kneaded her nape, cupped her hip, “accidentally” brushed her breast, or splayed on her lower back, taking up as much skin as he could and ensuring the heel of his hand rested just above her ass.
When he wasn’t talking to the others, he was breezing his lips against her temple or whispering in her ear, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. And he knew exactly what all the flirty touches were doing. Knew she was wet and flushed. The only reason she didn’t reprimand him was that she worried he’d send those psychic fingers wandering – it wasn’t something he hadn’t done in public before.
As they broke away from yet another crowd, he whispered into her ear, “Tell me the truth. Just how wet are you?”
“You know my body well enough to know exactly how wet it will be.”
He smiled against her ear, liking that answer. “You’re right.”
And then another group of demons came over. It was at least an hour later that she and Knox finally reached Jolene. And Harper felt like she’d just come up for air out of the sea. “Hey, Grams.”
Jolene, looking as smart as ever, gave her a one-armed hug. “You’re happy. I’m glad. I was worried that I’d find you sulking.”
“I was worried we wouldn’t find you at all,” said Raini, mouth twitching.
Devon chuckled and took a sip of her champagne. “Honestly, I had that same worry.”
Snorting, Harper turned to Beck and gave him a quick hug. She hadn’t yet told anyone about what happened with Crow and Roan, not trusting that her grandmother wouldn’t blow up Carla’s home out of anger. Besides, Harper knew her family and friends had been looking forward to the shindig and she wanted them to be able to enjoy it. She also knew she’d need to soon warn them that Knox would be making an unpleasant announcement so they weren’t taken off-guard.
“I like the rings,” said Jolene. “Maybe Knox’s demon will stop leaving brands all over you now.”
Harper kind of doubted it. “Maybe.”
Knox lightly tapped the black diamond. I didn’t think that the sight of them on your finger would make me hard.
Smiling, she said, I don’t think it takes much to make you hard.
Devon looked at the rings the way someone would gaze down at a cute little baby. “I think they’re beautiful. So shiny and – stop sniffing me!” She glared at Tanner over her shoulder. “I mean it, pooch, stop.”
Grinning, Tanner said, “But you smell like candy. How can I resist candy?”
Devon inhaled deeply, ready to give the hellhound… well, hell. But then she smiled at someone over his shoulder. The smile had a devious curve to it. “Hey there, Belinda.”
Oh, how wonderful.
The image of “well-groomed,” Belinda appeared at Harper’s side in an emerald silk gown, her hair styled in an elegant updo that must have taken hours. Her courteous smile was all for Knox. “Is everything to your satisfaction?”
Knox nodded. “It is. I’m impressed.”
Belinda beamed and clasped her hands together. “I’m so very glad. My team will also be pleased to hear that our hard work paid off.”
At that moment, Khloë sidled up to Raini, a skewer in hand. “This steak is cooked to perfection.”
Belinda’s smile faltered slightly. “I’m glad to hear it. Will you be making your speech soon, Mr Thorne?”
Snaking a hand around Harper’s waist, Knox opened his mouth to reply when he heard a familiar voice to his right.