14. Family Drama
fourteen
Family Drama
Nash
Sunlight spilled across the terrace, highlighting the large spread laid out before them both.
They sat together, indulging in a lazy breakfast. There was enough food before them to feed an army.
Nash watched as Iris savored each bite, taking a mental tally of how much she was eating.
After the attack, the weight melted off her.
Dropping her closer to the skeletal look her mother preferred and he hated.
Once she realized, his little minx dared to think she would continue to starve herself in order to please that foul woman.
Unlucky for her, he wasn't distracted like last time.
He would not let that shrew have even one word over what size his wife was.
When he thought she liked to be slim, he allowed it.
Now that he knew it was her mother that forced the issue, she would never diet again.
Besides, he found some added benefits of her new body.
He missed the added curves, and anxiously awaited the return of her larger chest size.
She glanced up at him mid-bite. Her lips wrapped around a spoon. It should be illegal for one woman to be so sensual when all she was doing was eat breakfast. He felt himself twitch in his trousers as he watched her cheeks flush a bright red.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" she asked once she swallowed her food.
"Am I not allowed to watch you eat?" Nash's voice rumbled with satisfaction. Her eyes bulged as she heard his words.
"What?" she asked while reaching forward to grab a glass of orange juice. He leveled a smirk at her. "Why would you want to do that?"
"It brings me a certain pleasure to watch you fill that pretty little mouth." His sharp eyes tracked her every move. To his satisfaction, he saw her teeth dart out and nibble on that delectable lower lip. A sign he knew all too well meant she was aroused. "Is that a crime, ma fleur?"
Iris reached out for a napkin on the table, fanning herself as a flush creeped up the back of her neck.
It traveled up, tinting her cheeks with a rosy hue.
Nash felt an unfamiliar warmth ignite within him.
Teasing her was fast becoming his favorite pastime.
He smiled before doubling down. Curious to see how far he could push her.
"Rest and good meals," he continued, his tone dipping into something more intimate, more possessive, "have given you some of your curves back, Iris.
" A crass edge sharpened his words as he added, "There is nothing I love more than seeing those curves bouncing while you take me deep inside like the good girl you are. "
The brazenness of his comment had the desired effect. Iris choked lightly on her juice. He grinned at her, loving how she responsive she was. All for him. Only him.
She turned back to him and leveled his favorite smile on him—a happy, secret grin that was so rare now.
He used to get them every day. She had spoiled him before.
He never thought that he would miss something as simple as a smile, but alas, that was the reality of Iris Blackworth.
Ever since their night in the poolroom almost two weeks ago, he was slowly getting them back.
With a playful air of defiance against his rules on her wardrobe, she slid off her cardigan.
She was supposed to stay bundled up if she was outside, but he supposed there could be exceptions.
He felt himself harden further as he watched her, relishing in the sun's warmth on her skin.
Tossing her hair back, tilting her face up towards the warm rays.
It cast her soft flesh in a golden hue, and it made him impatient for the rest of the day.
"It is a nice day," she noted, glancing around at the beautiful beach. "Odd, for early April."
Nash leaned back, his body language exuding smug confidence. "Yes, it is," he agreed, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. If only she knew how nice of a day it was going to be. How convenient that today was the day. Everything was lining up perfectly for him.
He sat there, looking at her with satisfaction, knowing that she had no idea she was going to be his wife, officially, later that very day.
Iris
Her brow furrowed in confusion at his tone—there was something he wasn't saying, something beneath the surface of his arrogant smile. She opened her mouth to question him when the door burst open, cutting through the tranquility of their moment.
Loud voices cascaded onto the terrace, bringing with them a surge of surprise. Iris turned to see her brother, sister, and Daisy all striding towards them, their expressions a strange mixture that she could only name as happily apprehensive. Shock jolted through her, her heart skipping a beat.
What were they doing here?
She swiftly cut her eyes back to Nash, searching for an explanation in those piercing blue depths. He met her gaze, the corners of his mouth curving upwards in a smile that held a hint of devilry.
"Did I forget to mention?" He began, his voice laced with casual nonchalance, popping a piece of bacon in to his mouth. "Today is our wedding day."
The world seemed to pause, all sound muffled by the thunderous beating of Iris's heart. Her mind raced, caught between disbelief and the dark thrill of Nash's impulsive power play. To plan a wedding and never tell her the date. Or let her have any input on the planning of it.
It was so him. And she knew she should feel outraged. But...
Iris's initial shock melted into a ripple of laughter, the sound airy and tinged with disbelief.
It was just so inherently him to do something like this.
It showed a complete disregard of boundaries.
A peak into his controlling nature. She was well aware of how controlling he actually was.
She couldn't find it within herself to be angry.
No, oddly, she found the whole thing funny.
If it had been a few weeks ago, she no doubt would have been furious.
But now? No, there was no anger, only anticipation.
Not to mention a bit of a relief. After the attack, she didn't have the mental energy to organize a wedding. She was rather pleased he took everything over and she wouldn't need to plan anything. Strange, how much her perspective had changed in only a few weeks.
"Of course you wouldn't tell me," she said, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she shook her head in amusement. He was such a control freak. But he was her control freak, she thought with a light chuckle.
Turning her attention to the unexpected assembly on the terrace, Iris stood smoothing down the fabric of her sundress.
Her guests shifted awkwardly, their discomfort palpable in the air that now buzzed with tension.
Among them, Holly appeared utterly out of place, her normally impeccable demeanor replaced by an odd fragility that pulled at Iris's heart.
She wondered how her pregnancy was going.
Iris couldn't see a bump at all, and her face was still a bit pale. But she seemed less thin than last time. She made a mental note to keep a closer eye on her sister.
"Welcome, everyone," Iris greeted, her voice laced with genuine warmth even as she felt a twinge of concern for her sister. She approached Holly, noting the pallor of her lips. The cracks. Was she dehydrated? She leaned forward and kissed both of her cheeks.
"How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her brown eyes searching Holly's face. Before her eyes, she watched Holly's face crumple as she let out a loud peal of laughter. Iris pulled back slightly in surprise.
Holly's laugh held no mirth; it was a bitter sound that blazed across the terrace like a cold wind. Iris felt herself shrink back. She was hoping for a warmer reunion after that dinner. Maybe she was nothing but a fool to think that she and her sister would ever have a relationship.
Nash's jaw clenched at the tone, his protective instincts rising like hackles. "Watch it," he growled, a low warning that resonated with possessive authority.
But Holly seemed undeterred, her next words hitching with a hiccup.
"That should be my line," she retorted, tears brimming in her eyes.
"I was worried sick when I heard of the attack, but they wouldn't let me come see you.
I've been so upset, desperate to see you.
You've been in the hospital, near death.
And the first thing you do is ask me how I am feeling. "
Confusion furrowed Iris's brow as she processed her sister's words.
"You wanted to see me in the hospital?" The question tumbled from her lips, laced with incredulity.
The sincerity in her voice seemed to puncture whatever dam Holly had built around her emotions, and the tears that had threatened to spill over finally broke free, streaming down both of her cheeks.
"Of course I did!" she gasped out between sobs. Nash watched the interaction closely, his gaze sharp and calculating. He came to stand next to her, slipping his arm around her waist and his hand settled on her hip tightly.
Ash's arm slid comfortingly around Holly's trembling shoulders, a rare gesture of familial warmth that seemed to calm her down for a moment. "It's alright," he murmured, his eyes softening with uncharacteristic empathy. "I told you I had seen her, and she was fine."
"But I wanted to see you! Let you know that—"
However, before she could finish her sentence, the terrace doors swung open with a wild energy that drew all of their eyes. Cutting Holly off, Iris watched as she pulled herself back together rapidly. Holly Blackworth would never allow herself to be seen in such a state by the staff.
Which the woman who came flying out the doors clearly was. The clipboard in her hands and the headset snugly fitted over one ear gave her away. She marched in, her heels clicking assertively against the stone flooring.