Shattered Vows (Midnight Manor Book 2)

Chapter 29

Twenty-Nine

Afew nights later, I walk out of the bathroom after my shower, and Kol isn’t in the bed, but a gorgeous pale purple dress is strewn across the bed in his place.

I love that everything he buys me is purple.

I get a closer look and gasp. The sheer fabric overlaying the dress has a bunch of small flowers sewn to the skirt, up the bodice, and over the two straps. It’s gorgeous, and it had to have cost him a small fortune.

On the floor beside the bed is a pair of silver heels. They have a crystal snake that wraps around the heel and comes up to wrap around my ankle and lower leg.

I whip my head right and left, checking for Kol, but I’m met with the usual shadows that darken the room. It’s then I notice the note on the night table, folded in half with my name scribbled on the outside.

With a smile, I walk over and read the note.

Meet me in the conservatory.

K

I grin at the paper. I’m not sure what this is about, but I don’t care. I rush to grab some underwear, then think better of it, deciding to go without.

Anabelle gifted me hair and makeup products a couple of days ago, so I head into the bathroom to get ready. I’m no expert, but I do an okay job, probably because makeup just feels like paint for your face.

Once that’s done, I slide into the dress and put on the heels. I walk over to the full-length mirror like a baby calf since I don’t have any experience with heels, and when I see myself, tears well in my eyes.

I’ve never felt this beautiful. Not even when I put on my wedding dress for my wedding to Alistair. I look so…alive. How far I’ve come in such little time. I feel like a flower opening for the sun. The more Kol loves me and allows me to find myself, the more I blossom.

With one last look at myself, I leave the room and head into the dark hallway. Nothing, not even the oppressive darkness of the shadows that linger between the flickering sconces, can bring me down. I feel like when winter turns to spring, and all of nature’s beauty shines in vibrant colors.

By the time I reach the conservatory, I’ve somewhat figured out how to walk in heels. Which is a good thing, because as I enter through the doorway, I almost stumble at what I see.

The room is lit up with candles casting a yellow glow that’s reflected on the glass. In the center of the room, to the side of the easel and the piece I’ve been working on, is a small table for two. Music plays from a speaker, loud enough to be heard, but soft enough not to take over.

The sound of shoes clicking on the floor draws my eye past the table as Kol makes his way over to me. He has a glass of wine in hand, and he’s wearing a dark gray suit with a black shirt underneath, sans tie. It fits him perfectly, and there is no doubt in my mind it’s a custom piece.

His eyes soak me in, and I preen under his attention, knowing he likes what he sees. He sets the glass of wine on the table as he passes and continues toward me.

“Christ, you look so beautiful.” He looks at me in wonder, as if he almost can’t believe that I’m here with him.

“You look so handsome.” I too feel lucky to be here, especially after I messed it all up four years ago.

With the way he’s looking at me, I assume he’s going to kiss me, maybe ravage me before we eat, but he does no such thing. Instead, he leans in and kisses my temple, his hand falling to the small of my back.

“What’s all this?” I ask in a soft voice.

“I thought you might enjoy dressing up and having a fancy dinner. Kind of like if we’d met under normal circumstances, and I was dating you.”

I smile up at him. “Thank you, I love it.” I love you, I want to say, but I’m too afraid to scare him off—or worse, that he won’t believe me.

“Come.” He links his fingers with mine and leads me to the table where there are two plates with silver domes over top. “I hope you’re hungry. I had the kitchen prepare your favorite.”

My forehead wrinkles. I don’t remember ever telling Kol what my favorite food is. He goes to one chair and pulls it out for me, waiting until I sit to push it back in. Then he lifts the lid, uncovering a burger and fries.

I laugh and look up at him. “All this”—I motion around us—“and we’re having a burger and fries?”

He sits across from me and removes the silver dome from over his plate. “You ordered it when I took you to the horse races and go-karting and inhaled it both times.”

My eyes widen, and my mouth drops open. “I did not!”

He chuckles. “You did. And it was cute as fuck, so don’t stress about it.”

I smile, looking at the meal and back at him. “I can’t believe you noticed that.”

He doesn’t blink as he says, “I remember everything when it comes to you.”

I look away from the intensity of his eyes. “Thank you, this is wonderful.”

“Bon appétit.” He sets his napkin over his lap and picks up his burger, taking a bite.

I do the same with my napkin. I feel a little silly as I bring the burger to my lips, this dressed up and eating something so unsophisticated, but the moment I bite into it, I stop worrying. This is better than the two I shared with him previously.

“Mmm, that’s so good.”

“I’ll tell the chef you said so. Do you want some wine?”

“With my burger?” I laugh. “No, thank you. I’m still reliving the memories of the last time I drank.”

He looks at me with amusement. “Fair enough.” We quietly enjoy our meal before Kol speaks again. “What do you think you’d want to do if you could do anything?”

I finish chewing my fry. “Work-wise?”

He shrugs. “Sure. How would you spend your time?”

I ponder his question for a minute. “I’m not sure. I’ve never had the option to think about it before, but I suppose it’s something I need to consider.”

My stomach clenches. So many possibilities. What if I choose wrong?

Oh god, I’ve been so presumptuous, haven’t I? Assuming I was free to stay here for as long as I wanted without contributing anything.

“If you’re asking because I’ve overstayed my?—”

“Stop.” Kol frowns. “That’s not why I’m asking. I’m asking because I want you to be happy here.”

The tension in my shoulders lessens. “I am happy here.”

“For now. But eventually your excitement about this newfound freedom of yours will wear off. I don’t want you to want to leave in search of something new and exciting. I’d rather you found that here.”

Where is this coming from? He said something similar about me leaving at Black Magic Bar, but why?

“Kol”—I reach across the table for his hand—“I’m not going anywhere. And if anything changes with how I feel, I’ll talk to you about it.”

He studies me for a long while. I don’t flinch, don’t even blink until he gives me a small nod.

“The question stands. What would you want to do?”

I put another fry in my mouth since that’s all that’s left on my plate. Kol was correct, I do inhale burgers. “The only thing I really love to do that I know about is painting. I guess I could try other things. I’d have to. I’m not talented enough to be a professional painter.”

“That’s bullshit. I’ve seen your paintings. Especially that new one you’re working on. It’s a masterpiece.”

My head tilts. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

I’ve been dabbling in something other than landscapes lately—erotic art. I enjoy painting the body and mimicking the way it moves, the stretch of the muscles, and since Kol always has me hot and bothered, the erotic nature of the paintings just kind of came out.

Kol sets his napkin on the table and stands, walking over to the easel. “This is really good. And it’s fucking hot.”

I push back, leaving my own napkin on the table, and join him. “I don’t know…”

“Well, I do.” He stands behind me and wraps me in his arms.

“Would you ever pose for me?” I voice the question I’ve been wondering about lately—as soon as I began fiddling with the change in direction of my paintings.

“I’d be honored.”

That makes my chest warm, and I get an idea, but I’m not sure if Kol will be up for it. Rather than worrying too much about it, I decide to trust my instincts and step out of Kol’s hold, turning to face him.

I find the zipper on my dress, and his eyes follow my fingers as I slide it down tooth by tooth until it stops. Sliding the straps down one arm then the other, I let the dress fall to my ankles, leaving me in only my heels.

He focuses on my bare breasts, adjusting himself in his suit pants. “What are you doing? We haven’t even had dessert yet.”

“I was thinking… I’d love for you to be my subject, but maybe tonight you could be my canvas.” I break the distance, and my pebbled nipples brush against the expensive fabric of his suit. “Why don’t you get undressed?”

Kol makes record time of taking off his clothes while I prepare what I’ll need. Once we’re both naked and standing in front of each other, I pick up the palette with all the paint and turn to face him. The candlelight highlights every dip and crest of the muscles in his strong body. If I paint him one day, I want it to be in this lighting.

He watches intently as I dip a finger in the paint, choosing a pale blue, and step forward, trailing my finger over his round shoulder. Next, I choose a green and wipe it across his lower abs. His breath fans over my face while I continue to work until he’s covered with all the colors of the rainbow, resembling a kaleidoscope.

“My turn.” His voice sounds pained, but in the best way.

I pass him the palette, and of course he chooses purple first, swirling a circle over my left nipple. The stimulation causes a buzzing between my thighs. Kol chooses yellow next, running it from my ear to the base of my throat.

God, is this how he felt while I was doing it to him? I’m so on edge. I want him to just toss the palette aside and devour me. But I’m enjoying the intimacy that’s growing between us.

Once my legs and arms and torso are covered in paint, Kol steps back to admire his work. “You’re a treasure.”

My cheeks heat at his praise.

The song playing through the speaker finishes and a new one starts.

Kol walks past me and sets the palette on the small table, then reaches for me. “Dance with me.”

My stomach flutters with nerves, and my cheeks heat. “I’ve never danced before. I don’t know how.”

He offers me a soft smile, one I’ve never seen on him before. “Another first then.”

I take his hand and step into him. “I’ll probably be terrible.”

His fingers brush my cheek, and the gooey feeling of paint presses into my skin. “I don’t care. This is another first of yours that I want. I’m greedy for them all. I’m always so greedy when it comes to you.”

I relax into his hold, my nipples brushing his chest.

“Stand on my feet, and I’ll lead you around.”

I rear back and look at him. “I can’t do that.”

He rolls his eyes. “You probably weigh a hundred pounds less than me. Yes, you can.”

I do as he says, and he wraps his arms around me, resting them on my lower back. I wind mine around his neck, pressing my cheek to his chest, and more paint smears on my face. But I don’t care because I feel so safe and loved.

He moves us, and he’s right, I likely could have handled this, but I like how close our bodies are. The man sings about being undeserving and not understanding why the woman he’s with loves him just the way he is. We dance around the room, and I hope the song is a coincidence, and Kol didn’t pick it on purpose. He’s so wonderful, and I want him to see himself the way I do.

We rotate in the candlelight, and the emotion in my chest builds and builds until I can’t contain it any longer. I look at him and pull him down for a kiss. It’s slow and languid, unrushed as if we have all the time in the world.

Kol’s hands slide down to my ass, and his erection grows harder between us. Soon his hands are around my waist, and he’s pushing me away from him. “We haven’t even had dessert.”

I hum. “This is even better than whatever’s on that table under the silver lid.”

His face grows serious. “I’m trying to show you that I don’t just want you for your body, but you’re making it very hard.”

I bring my hand to his cheek. “I don’t think that, Kol. But right now, I feel so close to you that I want to make love to you.”

My words snap his tether, and he pulls me back into him. The paint on our bodies is turning into a brown mess, but he’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever painted. He kisses me with more gusto, and I rub my bare breasts against his chest, desperate for friction.

Eventually, I pull away from the kiss. “Lie down on the floor.”

He does as I say, for once seeming to be fine with not being the one calling the shots. I lower myself, straddling his waist. I don’t waste any time gripping his length, sinking down until he’s fully seated inside me.

I slow the rotation of my hips as he watches me with lust-addled eyes. His hands cup my breasts, and he gently uses his thumbs to brush my paint-covered nipples. I rest my hands on his chest, and his eyes devour me. Eventually one hand moves from my breast and up behind my neck, pulling me down to him.

I throw all the emotions swirling in my chest into that kiss, willing him to understand how I feel about him and to understand that I’m never going to leave him. He groans into my mouth, hands laced through the hair at the back of my head.

When we end the kiss, I sit back up and rest my hands on his thighs, arching my back and giving Kol a good view of his cock sliding into me.

“Fuck, sweetheart. You look so good taking me in like that.” His voice is hoarse. “Touch yourself.”

His words are missing their usual authoritarian tone, but I follow his orders. I bring my fingers to my mound and gently massage my clit.

“That’s it. Apply a little more pressure now,” Kol coaxes.

I do as he says, moaning at the first ripple of my orgasm deep in my womb.

“Keep at it. Pretend it’s my fingers. Can you feel how good it is?” he says.

I continue to ride him, faster as the intensity of my orgasm builds until it’s as unstoppable as a landslide.

“Fuck yeah,” he says when I grind down on him. “Now finish yourself off. I want you milking me.”

His words combined with my fingers send me over the edge. My body jerks a few times on top of him, incoherent words leaving my lips, as my climax drowns me.

Kol sits up and drags me back down with him, so our chests are pressed together. His hips rise and fall, fucking me with hard, powerful strokes. All I can do is grip him and enjoy the ride of ownership he takes my body on.

He stills, holding himself inside me. “That’s it. Oh fuck, sweetheart.”

His cock jerks, and he spills inside me, leaving me filled with a sense of satisfaction.

He kisses me so long he grows soft inside me. I gaze into his amber eyes, believing this must be what real love feels like. I can’t imagine anything greater than what I feel for this man.

Kol tucks a piece of my sweaty hair behind my ear. “I think I might take up painting too.”

I laugh and bury my head in his chest. “It’s not usually this exciting, I assure you.”

He grins. “Do you want to go have that dessert?”

I nod. And I do, but first there’s something he needs to know. “Thank you, Kol. No one has ever made me feel this special before.”

Something flicks across his gaze that I can’t decipher. “You deserve it. I’m always going to do what makes you the happiest. I need you to always know that.”

It feels as though there’s some underlying meaning to his words that I’m not picking up on, but as I think over everything he’s put together tonight, I must be wrong and reading too much into his words.

“Of course I believe you.”

He sighs, the tension in his body relaxing under mine as he pulls me in for another kiss.