Choosing Theo: The Clecanian Series Book 1 Victoria Aveline (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📖

body to kneel between his legs, she continued in a mocking tone, “Beware, Jade! He may even force you into a bathtub with him.”

His hard cock sprang free when she released the odd fastening on his pants. She ran her tongue up his length then looked up into his eyes.

“Is there really anything they can say that will scare me away?” She sucked him in deeply, her cheeks hollowing. His head fell back, and he grated out curses under his breath.

It didn’t take long before she felt him stiffen and begin to shudder, roaring to the ceiling.

Lovingly she lapped up his seed and then re-did the fastening on his pants. She sat next to him again and grasped his face in her hands. “Don’t worry. I can think for myself.” Raising an eyebrow, she added, “Haven’t you learned that by now?”

He chuckled, his chest still heaving. “I may need another reminder tonight.” Theo wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her close, resting his chin on her head.

They rode in silence, enjoying each other’s company until the vehicle gently floated to a stop. Jade frowned as she saw all the tension she’d just sucked out of Theo return in full force.

He exhaled, his shoulders slumping, then exited and held out a hand to help her.

The building before them was perfectly round. Climbing vines covered the high white walls. Jade gasped as she glimpsed the roof, which wasn’t so much a roof as a dome built entirely out of shimmering stained glass. She couldn’t tell from this vantage point, but she estimated the roof had to be the size of a football field.

Theo took her hand in his and tugged her toward the solitary door. “Let’s get this over with.”

When he ushered her through, she was temporarily blinded. Every inch of the walls and floor were plated in gold. Hundreds of people dressed to the nines were milling about. She shifted uncomfortably when she noticed that many of them were staring at her.

A small man began pushing his way through the crowd toward them, and she smiled when she recognized the man as Zikas.

“Zikas!” she exclaimed, releasing Theo and hugging the old man tightly.

Zikas blushed furiously, and Theo snatched Jade’s hand back, scowling. “I need to announce you,” Zikas said to Jade under his breath.

He turned to the onlookers and in a loud, booming voice Jade hadn’t realized he was capable of producing, he said, “Husband and wife of one month…Theo and Jade!”

Polite applause filled the room, and she could feel her cheeks reddening. She sidled closer to Theo.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and then let go. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Come back to me when you’re finished.”

Before she could argue, he’d moved into the sea of onlookers and she lost sight of him.

“Where did he go?” she asked Zikas, annoyed Theo hadn’t bothered to mention they wouldn’t be together during this party.

“To sit with the other husbands while you mingle,” Zikas said nonchalantly. He started walking away and motioned for her to follow.

She tugged on his sleeve and said, “How long do I have to mingle for? When can I go stand with him again?”

“So, you’re getting along? That’s wonderful.” He beamed at her. “You must talk to anyone who approaches you, and once no one else does, you may return to Theo.”

Glancing around, Jade groaned. She could count at least ten men within a stone’s throw who were watching her as if they were going to approach any minute.

“Will they be able to understand me?” she asked, hoping her foreign language might dissuade some of the men from attempting to speak with her.

“Most of the guests were informed they needed to update their translators with your language if they wanted to speak with you.” Zikas motioned to a spot a few feet away and said, “I’ll be right over there if you need me.”

Jade glanced around, trying to locate Theo again, to no avail. There were too many people blocking her view.

Suddenly, a man stepped in front of her line of sight. She looked up into the handsome face of Fejo, the sexy pirate man she’d seen during The Viewing. His outfit tonight, with its extravagant embroidery, was just as ridiculous as it had been before.

“Hello,” he said in a deep, rumbling voice.

“Hello, um, Fejo, right?” She reached out her hand, preparing to shake his. When he just stared at it bemusedly, she made a fist and then lowered it again.

“Yes, indeed. I’m Fejo and your name is Jade, correct?” He gave her a dazzling smile.

“Yep,” was all she could manage.

“You look gorgeous tonight, though I’m sure you look beautiful most nights.” When she only nodded, he continued, “I was quite put out to learn you’d chosen me but then neglected to test me.”

Her eyes widened in surprise and she flushed. “You weren’t supposed to know who chose you. It was supposed to be anonymous.”

He shrugged and leaned down conspiratorially, “I have my sources.”

“Well, when I passed your room you seemed pretty preoccupied, and I didn’t want to interrupt.” Narrowing her eyes at him, she asked, “Aren’t you married, by the way? Shouldn’t you be in the husband area with Theo right now?”

Fejo’s eyes lit with amusement. “You’re a fiery one. I’m very sorry indeed that you didn’t choose me.” He sighed, looking out at the crowded room. “Alas, every year I come for a bride, and every year I’m tested but ultimately never chosen. Very few females want to be wed to a male who travels for work, and even fewer want to travel with me while I work.”

His attitude was relaxed, but she could tell that under all his swagger, he was disappointed.

“Maybe next time you could test me and tell me what I’m doing wrong.” He waggled his dark eyebrows suggestively at her, and she had to suppress a giggle.

Fejo was definitely a charmer, but something told her his carefree roguish persona was just that, a persona. A