Her lips parted, her warm breath dancing across my wet lips, making me inch closer and closer.
“Sweet,” she replied softly. “I taste…sweet.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
Just as I readied myself to take her mouth with mine, to taste her, a hard knock on the door resounded through the room. I recoiled, instantly pulled back down from wherever the fuck Tatum and I just went.
“Castello, are you in there?”
“Uncle Gino,” I whispered before treading back, far back, getting as far away from her as possible.
“Yes. I’m in here.”
The door creaked open, and Uncle Gino peered inside. “Is everything all right?”
I inhaled sharply, thinking that everything was far from fucking all right.
“Everything is fine, Uncle Gino. I just let Miss Linscott in here to take a much-needed shower.”
He turned his gaze to where she still remained plastered to the wall.
“Turn around, my dear.”
Tatum hesitated, and her eyes found mine. I nodded, and she turned around slowly.
Uncle Gino stepped closer, pulling the towel down just an inch until he saw the marking of the first lash. Immediately, he removed his touch and stepped back.
“Those marks will need some ointment but should heal fully.”
All I did was nod, unsure how to interpret Uncle Gino’s concern for Tatum. He was a part of this family. He lost a brother through her and her family, yet the entire evening I never picked up on any animosity or hatred directed at Tatum from him. And here he was telling me Tatum’s markings would need ointment to heal.
I squared my shoulders. “I’ll take care of her.”
“I know you will.” He turned to face me. “They are looking for you in the dining hall. I suggest you take Miss Linscott to her room and make sure she’s secure, at least until all the guests have left.”
Secure?I knew what he meant by secure. Keep her away from the other men.
“I will be there in a minute.”
“Good.” He turned to face Tatum. “Good evening, Miss Linscott.” And then he left, leaving us, and the sexually laden atmosphere around us, alone.
“Come on.” I waved, summoning her closer. With slow, tiny steps, she approached me, and I grabbed her arm as soon as she came close enough.
“You’re not taking me back there, are you?”
“Not tonight.” I gripped her arm tighter.
“If not tonight, when?”
“Soon.”
How was I supposed to tell her it would be in that exact same dining hall that she would take her last breath…along with her father?
Soon.
Chapter 15
TATUM