1. A LITTLE OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Unconventional Constraints
“Who is it?” Vesta asked, fixing her hair in the mirror. She frowned at the curls that refused to stay put.
“Who?” Scorch asked, distracted by the shape of her back the the tumble of her hair.
“Your date to dinner,” she replied, glancing briefly over her shoulder at him. Scorch continued to stare at her blankly.
Vesta frowned, picking up an earring and turning back to the mirror as she fastened it into her ear.
“Oh.” Vesta paused, looking up at him and meeting his eyes through the mirror. Scorch lounged in bed, watching her redress as was his want after they were done. “I thought you meant a real date.”
When she’s my wife, this will be my morning every day.
Scorch almost missed what she said.
“It is a real date. I love want to introduce you to my brothers and my father as my intended.”
Vesta slowly set down the brush and turned to face him. “You can’t be serious.”
“And why not?” He asked with that lazy grin that just begged her to return to bed.
“They would never approve of me. They can never know.”
Scorch sat up, alarmed by her change of tone. “Of course they would. They adore you!”
“Only because I’m a family friend, nothing more. I would never be welcomed in your family. Not as I am.”
“That’s not true. You’re speaking nonsense, Vesta!”
Vesta gathered her skirts in a huff and charged for the door. “The only way I could be your wife is if I forsake everything I find important and I will not abandon my principles for any man. Not even for you, My Love.”
Scorch was speechless and could do nothing but watch her go.