41. Scarlet
Chapter 41
Scarlet
Three sharp raps on the door let me know Misty’s here. I open it to a whirlwind of colors as she enters the space. Her natural warmth makes it feel like she’s been here countless times before.
“Girl, this place is amazing.” Misty looks around my home, eyes wide as she takes in all the details. The tones and shades are muted compared to her, but it’s obvious she likes it anyway. “Did Matthias really do all this himself?”
I shrug. “I’m pretty sure he hired a designer, but yeah, the planning was all him.”
“He really nailed your style.”
I’m not quite sure what she means by that. This place doesn’t look anything like my town house. I’d styled that one myself to perfectly fit my needs.
Misty raises a brow. “You don’t believe me? It’s welcoming while being sophisticated. The clean lines are softened by the textured textiles. Modern windows mixed with old wood details. You’ve got to admit, it’s perfectly you.”
Is it really? Am I really a mix of contradictions that Matthias somehow sorted out? Whether Misty’s right or not, there’s no question that I feel at home here.
Deciding to change the subject, I grab her coat and hang it on the small metal hook. “I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think Matthias was allowing visitors.”
“Hmmm.” She sits on the sofa, tucking her feet underneath her and covering them with the wide hem of her dress. “I didn’t give Damon a choice, so I’m pretty sure he didn’t give Matthias a choice. Not to mention, I doubt that man can deny you anything.”
“You do realize he drugged me, handcuffed me, then brought me here against my will and forced me to marry him, right?”
She looks me up and down with a smile growing on her face. “You’ve got to admit, it’s sorta romantic.”
I collapse on the sofa beside her, positioning my legs to mirror hers. “Sure, in a weird Stockholm syndrome kind of way.”
“What I want to know is how he managed to convince you to marry him. Damon had sneaky ways of his own, but I don’t think Matthias had the same leverage on you.”
“Wait?” I lean back against the armrest. “So you don’t know?”
“Know what?”
I almost feel bad for Damon because I have a sinking feeling this is not going to go over well. It’s one thing for your brother-in-law to get into trouble; it’s a whole other thing when it’s your husband.
I wince but throw him to the wolves anyway. After all, he deserves it. “Your husband was there to keep me in place during the entire ceremony, so I couldn’t leave.”
A twisted smile forms on her lips that doesn’t meet her eyes. “I’ll kill him for you.”
I laugh; it’s full and loud, coming from somewhere deep in my stomach. She just looked so freaking serious, like if Damon walked in at that second, she’d have no trouble attacking him. Knowing him and how much he loves his wife, he’d probably be happy about it. I haven’t decided if that’s sweet or messed up yet.
Mind you, we’re all a little messed up.
“That feels extreme. Can’t you hold out on a night of sex or something?” I’m kidding, but she blushes anyway.
“I really don’t think I can do that.”
It’s my turn to blush, and I cough to cover my nerves. “Pretend I didn’t mention it.”
“Deal.” She wraps her arms around her knees, now tucked to her chest. “If you had an issue with the whole drugging and kidnapping thing, why didn’t you run?”
“I did. Twice.”
She jerks back, eyes flaring. “Well, Damon left that out in our evening gossip.”
I lift my shoulders, then let them fall. “I’m not sure he knows about it.”
“Tell me! It’ll feel good to have one up on my husband for a change.”
“The first time, I threatened Matthias with a knife, and it ended with him carving my name into his neck.” I draw a line hollow of my neck and trace below my collarbone.
“Okay, that’s kinda hot. I wonder if Damon will do that.” She’s smiling wide, and not for the first time, I understand what Damon sees in her. It’s not her preciousness but the life she breathes into the room.
“He definitely will if you ask.”
She scrunches her nose. “It’s kinda messy. Maybe a tattoo?”
“Matching?”
“Maybe.” She hums in the back of her throat. “Your second attempt must have ended well, too, since you’re still here, after all.”
“The next day, my guard helped me escape, but I couldn’t leave him. I gave up.”
“Did you give in, or did you finally get out of your own way and recognize this is what you wanted?”
She drums her fingers on her knee. “Do you love him?”
“I…I d—” Pause. If I’m going to say that, I’m going to tell him first.
She laughs, butting through my nerviness. “You don’t have to say anything. It’s written all over your face.”
I cover my cheeks, knowing the heat in them is giving me away.
“He looks at you like you’re his world,” she says quietly.
“Well, he’s kind of obsessed with me now.”
“Not just now. If I saw him staring off into a room, I knew I’d find you on the other end. That man has been absolutely smitten, probably his entire life.”
“Well, we didn’t really get close until we were fifteen.”
“You cannot convince me it didn’t start sooner than that.” She drums her fingers on her knee. “You should set up a family dinner. I know the guys want to come visit.”
“Really? They haven’t shown any interest.”
“Are you for real? Matthias has shut down any attempt to come here. He’s not going to let them until you ask.”
I roll the idea of having the Everette family over in my mind, and I’m surprised to realize I like the idea. “I can ask, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be okay with it.”
Misty tilts her head, a mischievous smirk curling her lip. “You really don’t know how much power you have, do you?”
The keypad on the door beeps before Matthias steps in. My mouth waters just looking at him in his white collared shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the first few buttons undone. His hair’s messy like he’s been dragging his hand through it, and it’s giving off just-had-sex vibes. My thighs rub together on their own as I take him in and process the fact that I’m married to this man. That I’m going to keep seeing him come through that door for the rest of my life.
His dark gaze is hooded on mine, a lazy smile curling his lip as he walks closer. “Miss me, wife?”
There’s a thud in my chest, and my breath catches at the way his voice curls around my nickname. If it wasn’t for Damon following after him, I’m pretty sure my clothes would spontaneously combust.
The eldest Everette brother steps around us like we aren’t even there and goes directly to his smiling wife. She leans back on the sofa, head resting on the cushion as she takes him in. I can practically feel the love sparking between them, and for the first time, it feels familiar.
“I’m taking you home, Nymph.” Damon’s command is low, and Misty visibly shivers.
She tilts her head, her eyes gleaming. “What if I’m not ready to go?”
I swear the tension is wafting off them, and if they don’t leave soon, they’ll be making out in my living room.
Hot lips caress my neck, and Matthias’s raspy voice fills my ear. “They’re like this all the time.”
“I wasn’t asking, wife.” Damon lifts a giggling Misty up and over his shoulder, landing a sharp smack to her ass that has her sucking in a breath.
He stalks out of the room, and Misty winks at me before she disappears out the door.
“Do you think we look like that?” I ask.
“I hope so.” Matthias places a gentle kiss on my head. He sits beside me, pulling me over his lap so I’m resting against his chest, and nuzzles his nose into the crook of my neck.
Goosebumps erupt everywhere he touches.
“Did you have a good night?” I ask, snuggling in and letting his scent fill my nose. I’m still not used to being able to touch him like this, but I’m not complaining.
He’d gone to some Order of Saints meetings, ones that sounded too dull to care about, but at least he got to spend some time with his brothers. I’ve been monopolizing every second I’m not working with him.
“The only thing good about it was coming back home to you.” He kisses my forehead, and his hand runs up my arm.
I hum in the back of my throat as his words wash over me. “You really do know how to sweet-talk a girl.”
He grips my hips, lifting me easily so I straddle him, and says, “It’s not sweet-talking if it’s true.”
My lips brush his as I say, “Kiss me.”
He doesn’t hesitate to devour my mouth, his tongue rolling against mine as he grips my nape and manipulates me to deepen the kiss even more. His cock hardens beneath me, and he growls low in his throat when I rock against him.
I pull back, sucking in deep breaths, trying to get myself under control. “Hold on. I want to ask you something.”
Matthias runs his nose along mine. “Anything.”
“I want to hang out with your family. Misty said you’ve been keeping them away.” He stiffens, and I slide my fingers through his hair until he relaxes. If it wasn’t so ridiculous, I’d think he was jealous of me wanting to hang out with his own brothers. Doubt crawls down my spine. “They’re important to you. I already know them, but I want to be a part of your family. Is that okay?”
He stares down at the space between us, not lifting his head to mine. Maybe he doesn’t want me to see them because he doesn’t want me to get too close. They’ve always been nice to me, but I couldn’t blame them if there’s some leftover resentment for my family’s actions.
“Matthias?” My voice is dry, and I swallow hard.
My heart calms, then squeezes when he finally looks at me, a cocky smile on his face. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this, Little Sparrow. I’ve got to warn you though. It might be intense. Especially Bash and Xander. They’ve been practically begging to come here.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You’re their sister.”