Part 6…
He did not expect her to obey, obviously. But it puzzled him how serene she delivered her refusal to account for the events of the night before. She was staring back at him, unapologetic, matching the anger bubbling in his veins. And it hit him all of a sudden, how much of a strangers they’ve become.
– Eveline… he exploded on an exhale, as though someone had punched him the gut; noting only now, that he was holding his breath since the moment he stepped into the room and as it was, back into her life.
– I can’t… she shrugged helplessly.
– Eve, you cannot close me of like this; he ran his fingers through his hair, frustration pilling in the back of his throat. You cannot expect me to brush off the events that got us here. I find you in the early hours of the morning, bleeding and incoherent, hoping that by God you’d see the light of next day and all I get is a shrug?
– Well if we’re stating facts, I bumped into you, by mistake…she gave a small apologetic smile, but he wouldn’t have none of it.
His face tightened and a little tic pulsed in his jaw.
– Eve…
The sound came deep from his throat, almost a warning, because if he was to be honest, part of him was still … well … scared. The thought of losing her, fired every inch of his body and only the images of how she looked the night before, pale as a sheet in his arms, were good enough to burn this whole city to the ground, because nothing was worth having without Eve. She’d always been his weakness.
She closed her eyes, a shaky breath flying from her lips. He noticed pain flashing shortly across her face, and his anger only grew bigger.
– I know, she said in a whisper. But, you’re asking too much, and I … she took a long breath between clenched teeth and steadied herself against the window sill.
Closing the space between them, he reached encircling his arms around her. She tensed against his body, her warm breath tickling the hallow of his neck. He wasn’t sure he was allowed such liberties, but hanging onto her for the first time in what it seemed like forever, made the tightness in his chest a bit lighter.
– I really have to go now… she said abruptly, cutting the silence left between them.
Her hands pressed into his chest, putting distance between them, and the loss oh her warmth made him feel uneasy.
He nodded. Not because this was over. But because he could see beads of exhaustion gathering in the curve of her neck and he was afraid she would pass out again.
– I’ll get Dwayne to escort you.
– That won’t be….
He cut her weak protest short, and lifted his hand to cup her cheek.
– Unfortunately for you, I’m here to stay this time. And I want my friend back. I’ve missed her.
Her composure broke for a split-second, but the set in her jaw left no room for questions.
– What if… there’s nothing left of her? tiredness soaked into her features, eyes beaming with distrust.
– We’ll just have to find her again.
She gave him a sad smile, gathered her strength and passed by him, without another word.
Equally exhausted and annoyed, Thomas watched her from the window of his chamber climbing into the carriage. She was wearing a borrowed dress that was too large for her slender frame. The men attire he found her in the previous night made his brows furrow in frustration. He was very much invested now in figuring out what Eve us up to.
Taking a gulp of whiskey, the set in his eyes hardened. Mending things with Eve was one of the reasons he came back to London. But there were others that made his gut twist and his fists clench in balls of anger and anguish. To prove a dead man’s innocence and take over a dukedom most of the nights kept him awake and working tireless. When sleep took hold over his eyes and his mind grew cloudy, the nightmares came alive. He took another gulp of whiskey and made his way into the library. Pieces of paper were scattered all over his desk and chair. With a loud sigh that echoed heavily inside the chamber, Thomas set aside the glass in his hand and went back to work.
Lasă un comentariu