Chapter 9 Robin #3
“I mean, no one should have to punch someone’s ex because they’re an absolute dickweed, but here we are.
” He knocks me lightly with his shoulder, but I can’t find it in me to be comforted.
Not over this. A heavy sigh escapes my lungs and I look down, fiddling with my nails.
“I’m so embarrassed that I let myself be with someone like him.
I wasn’t in love with him, but I really wanted to believe we could have been, one day.
” I don't owe him anything, but looking down at his swollen knuckles makes me want to give him something.
A piece of me. "I don't know if anyone told you things about me, but this was meant to be mine.
Nightingale house–he bought it as a last attempt to make me stay.
Wanted me to make it a home and I hoped that meant I'd finally have all of his attention.
" I don't think Wren is breathing. “Obviously I was stupid to think that, because I caught him banging the estate agent when I came over unexpectedly to look at marble counter samples. I was so mad.” I pause to swallow the thick lump that's formed in my throat.
“But I was so fucking relieved. He couldn't talk himself out of that one. I’d always excused his shitty behaviour because I didn't want to be alone, but this time he couldn't gaslight me or lie.
I caught him and it meant there was no way he'd worm his way back into my life. I was finally done.” The air seems to still between us, a vice clutching at my insides seems to loosen its painful grip.
His tongue wets his bottle lip and without breaking out gaze, I feel strong fingers take both of my hands and lace them together.
“You’re far from stupid, pretty girl. I need you to really believe me when I say, even after only knowing you a day, you’re so strong and caring.
You’re unbelievably smart, quick witted, which is a total fucking turn on, if you don’t mind me saying.
You trusted someone to give you love and respect, and he was completely undeserving.
That’s not your fault, it’s his for misusing everything good in you.
” I can barely breathe as he leans closer, a loose curl of his tickles my forehead as our noses nearly touch.
I’m just so lost in those moss green eyes.
“You’re utterly captivating,” Wren’s voice is so low and husky.
“You’ve had all of my attention since the moment I saw you. ”
His lips are so soft as they crash into mine, lighting my entire body up with a fire so deep that I’ve never experienced before.
My eyelashes flutter closed as all of my senses burn to ash.
His lips might be soft, but this kiss is anything but.
He draws utter longing out of me, like I've been touch starved my entire life.
I might as well have been, because I've never felt like this just kissing someone. Fingertips stroke my cheeks, one hand finding its way under my jaw as he slowly tilts my face up to deepen the kiss. I place both my palms against his firm chest, twisting them into his t-shirt. He might touch me like I’m precious, yet his lips are a testimony to how much he wants this.
His tongue dances along my bottom lip, gently asking permission and I open for him, finally melting into each other. An eager moan fills the air.
My fucking moan.
His body stiffens under my hands and he pulls away. I already miss the ghost of his lips.
Resting his forehead against mine, his voice is strained. “You’re going to be the death of me with noises like that, my love.”
A sharp shattering from the corridor behind us bursts the bubble we’ve cast; both on high alert as we spring apart.
My heart pulses like a hummingbird, not only from the kiss but how close the noise was from the open door.
My body seems to react before my brain and I’ve abruptly stood up on shaky legs.
“Good night.” I pant, turning without looking back, making a break for it, back to my room.
Just before the staircase, a Tiffany lamp lay broken into tiny shards. I don’t know how that could happen from a fall onto carpet, but I'm not exactly thinking straight as I dodge over the pieces of glass, running down the corridor.
That kiss was mind altering, but another reason I need to stay away from Wren Hastings.
A knock on my door has me nearly levitating out of bed, the sheets tangle around me and pillows are scattered all around the floor. Breathily, I scramble as the knocking persists and throw open the door, to be greeted by an exhausted smile and messy blonde hair.
“Morning Princess. Wild night?” Phoenix asks, lifting his eyebrow light heartedly. I can already tell my hair must be a mess, my skin feeling dry and dull from a restless sleep. It felt like all I did was stare at the ceiling, until I heard birds singing and the sun kissed my windows.
Rolling my eyes, I let go of the door and out of habit, trying to locate my phone for the time before realising it won't be given back till after the game. I expected him to have followed me in, but he’s still leaning against my door frame; the space between us is painfully taut with unspoken words.
“Not coming in?”
“No, erm—we all need to talk. Can you get dressed and meet us in the library downstairs?”
I straighten from where I've picked up fresh clothing from my suitcase, not into the idea of having an audience for the conversation that desperately needed to happen for us to continue the weekend amicably.
I was meant to be his best friend, his family—he was meant to be able to tell me anything.
Right now he's unable to look me in the eye.
I know I should give him grace, but things were coming harder between us.
“Yeah, sure,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’ll be down soon.”
Nodding a couple of times and still not meeting my gaze, he closes my door.
AFTER taking a quick shower, detangling my hair and brushing my teeth, I put on a little light makeup which I would usually skip, and throw my curls half up with a black bow.
I find my sage mini dress in my suitcase and make a mental note to come back up and put stuff away.
The dress has the cutest puff sleeves, with leaves embroidered around the elasticated cuffs.
The same leaves trail along all the hems and whilst the bodice is fitted, the dress floats out nicely to mid thigh.
Everything always falls a little long on me, so I've gotten quite crafty with my little sewing machine to make things fit just right.
Slipping on some sandals, I lock the door and slip the key into my dress pocket.
Yep, this dress is just that good it has pockets.
I can hear talking in the kitchen as well as someone opening up the conservatory beyond the dining room, and I hesitantly make my way downstairs.
Wren is the only occupant in the library, lounging in one of the armchairs by the dark fireplace, a warm ray of sunlight falling over his messy curls and sharp jaw.
He wears a loose Nirvana band t-shirt, with dark cargo shorts that make his tattooed, toned legs look so good.
He doesn’t have shoes on, but instead socks with pizzas on them.
I can’t help but soak in any minor details I can get my hands on.
He’s reading my novel again and only has a couple of pages till the end, but those forest shaded eyes immediately meet mine and he closes it.
“Ah, my lovely Wife! Sleep well?” He asks with a smirk, like he knows otherwise. Sitting back into the chair, he crosses his ankle over his knee. “This book is riveting by the way. Well done. Top marks.”
I hold in my blush on my cheeks back for dear life. After last night and the way he kissed me, I think my brain is permanently fried.
“Robin Otilie Osbourne, I found you!” Lil sings as she strides in, radiant as always in a white crochet vest and denim skirt.
Casual, but able to pull anything off and make it look out of my budget.
Her hands snap to her hips as she runs her gaze over both of us.
“You’re being way too friendly, what's going on between you?”
Bloody hell, does her subtlety know no bounds…
“Lil!” I hiss, stopping only because of his joyous laughter.
“Your initials spell Roo?” His tongue pokes his canine as he looks at me with fire sparking in his eyes. “That’s so fucking cute. I think I’ll call you my Roo, instead of my Wife.” He teases.
With more strength then I expect, she grabs me by the arm and moves me further into the room.
Knowing she’s incapable of keeping her voice down, I try to keep her back to him, but she’s not budging.
“Tell me you didn’t sleep with him Rob? After Wednesday you said he was the biggest arsehole, remember? ”
Wren stands and there’s confusion on his face. “What happened on Wednesday? We only met yesterday?”
I’m frozen on the spot, mouth ajar as no answers to his questions come out.
Her nails dig harder with each small movement he makes to close the space, but then the wooden door opens again; Phoenix and Merle enter with Cardinal trailing in after them.
He looks refreshingly awake, in running shorts and a long sleeve work out top.
All black and I’m surprised to see intricate, dark tattoos down one of his muscular legs.
“You didn’t have to say that so loud.” I whisper shout at her, ripping my arm from her grasp finally.
“Just stay away from him. I’ve told you what he’s like. He’ll only mess you around.” Maybe sensing my anger, her tone is quieter, almost like she's trying to comfort me. “He’s not good for you.”
I know she's just trying to look out for me, but I can't connect her disdain for the man I've started to get to know. The gentle way he touches me, the teasing but respectful conversations we have and once again, it all boils down to that kiss.