Chapter 26
Kerry
Something’s gone terrible wrong. In the short time that Amy went to get a breather, she’s returned with a bitter coldness towards me, as if she discovered I killed someone she loved.
I pause for a moment. I didn’t kill someone she loved, right? As far as I knew, no.
So then, what happened? As we get inside another car that’ll shuttle us back to the hotel, Amy sits stiff beside me in the middle seat between Liam and I.
Jack has gotten in the front seat. I decided to bring Jack and Liam with us now that Amy is more comfortable with them.
And they serve as a buffer between Amy and I.
I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, opening it to see the conversation with my aunt still up. There’s another text from her.
Kerry? No response, really? Since when are you so immature?
I sigh and quickly type out a response.
My apologies. I got busy.
Busy trying to understand the sweet but aloof woman next to me. My Aunt Marjorie is a direct and straightforward woman, saying what she means and meaning what she says. I’ve always admired that about her. The thing is, even in her directness, sometimes she can be confusing.
Amy reminds me a lot of Marjorie. I think my aunt will really like her when they inevitably meet, as long as I can fix Marjorie’s perception of Amy before that. I need to undo the damage I’ve done, both with my aunt and whatever happened with Amy.
I can’t believe I’ve fucked things up even worse than I already had.
The ride back to the hotel is painfully quiet, and it takes everything within me not to turn to Amy and pester her with questions. Give it time. Patience. In a few short minutes, you can speak freely when you’re alone.
When the car pulls up to the curb outside of the hotel, I get out first, holding my hand out for Amy to take. But she’s already scooting to get out of the car on the opposite side with Liam. I blink in confusion.
She’s mad. More than mad, I think she’s fuming. And I have no idea why.
The four of us walk into the hotel lobby, and Jack and Liam say their goodnights, heading to the hotel bar since they’re acting like they’re off duty now. I give them both nods, knowing that they’re going to carry out the plan we discussed earlier, laying the groundwork for our little trap.
That slimy little Swede is never going to see us coming.
But now isn’t the time to focus on that. No, I need to focus on Amy and restoring our relationship. I place my hand on the small of her back. “I’ll walk you to your room, leannán.”
She tenses under my touch. “That really isn’t necessary, but thank you.”
“I insist. I need to make sure you’re safe.” In every way possible, not just physically, little leannán. Otherwise I won’t be able to sleep tonight.
She purses her lips together and takes off towards the elevator.
I suspect her quick gait has something to do with trying to get rid of my hand on her back, so I let my hand drop, even as I keep in step with her.
If she doesn’t want my touch, that’s fine.
I won’t force her. But that doesn’t mean I’m leaving her side until things are fixed between us.
She presses the button for the elevator and stands quietly, with her hands folded in front of her.
She looks like a proper lady, and for a moment, I can see the resemblance between her and her grandmother.
“I believe we need to have a discussion, leannán.” I keep my voice quiet and calm, not wanting to spook her.
Amy takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly, calming herself. “Yes. I believe we do.”
I’m not sure what she’s upset about, but I take a guess at what it might be, and do my best. “You didn’t do anything wrong, leannán.
I was never upset at you. But I’m sorry that I let what upset me get between us.
Your words were the stark wake up call that I needed.
I won’t let it happen again, you have my word.
” She turns her head to the side, so I know she’s listening to my words, even if she’s not looking at me. Good. She needs to hear them.
The elevator dings and the door slides open. A few people step out, and then we walk in, and I press the button for my floor, all the way at the top. She glances at the panel of buttons. “I’m on the third floor.”
I have to control myself from chuckling. “I know.”
She turns to look at me fully now. “I thought you said you were escorting me to my room?”
I turn to look at her. “Yes. And I will. But we need to have a talk first, and I wasn’t sure if you wanted me in your room right now.
I figured the living room of my suite would be good neutral ground.
” I’m guessing my apology didn’t capture the whole picture of what’s upsetting her, but I’m determined to get to the bottom of it.
She presses her lips into a fine line. “How can it be neutral if it's in your suite, first of all? Second of all, you’re right, I don’t want you in my room right now. I…I admit, I don’t really want to have this conversation. I’m only agreeing because I know it’s necessary.”
I turn fully to face her and take a step closer to her, gently grasping her chin.
“I know I’ve been an aloof and distant man, and you’ll have to forgive me for that, leannán.
But I don’t want it to remain that way between us, cold and unfeeling.
You’re going to be my wife, and I want nothing more than to embrace the role of being your doting husband fully.
” My gaze flickers down to her lips. I wonder if they’ll feel as soft against my lips as they look.
Her eyes widen and then narrow, before she pulls her chin from my grasp. “I told you, it isn’t nice to trick people.”
I furrow my brows. “What do you mean, my lovely girl? I’m not intending to trick anyone right now, least of all you.”
She takes a deep breath and turns away from me, crossing her arms. Her body language is closed off and defensive. “Well, that’s what we need to talk about. I’m not a child. Or an idiot. Autistic or not.”
My brows knit together even more. “I…I know that. Of course I know that. Do you feel I’m treating you as a child? Could you explain how I am, so I can learn and do better, leannán?” I grit my teeth. “Fuck. I can’t do anything right when it comes to you, can I?”
Her gaze snaps to meet mine. “What?”
Raw determination courses through me to have her, to earn her trust. I step closer and she takes a step back.
I continue my pursuit until I have her boxed in against the elevator wall.
“I am a wicked man, leannán. I’ve killed people without remorse, my hands clawed their way to the top and are stained with blood.
It’s not something I regret. Hell, it’s something I’m even proud of.
I thought I had it all together until I met you, but you…
fuck, you drive me mad, leannán. You’re everything I want, and yet, it’s like you’re just out of reach.
I want to taste you, to feel your skin against mine, to see you in my bed for the rest of my days…
but you pull yourself just out of grasp, you sweet little thing…
and I can’t take it anymore. Tell me what I did wrong.
Tell me how to fix it. I’ll do anything, fuck, I’ll get on my knees and beg. ”
Her eyes are as wide as can be, looking up at me with parted lips that I so badly want to devour. I lean in closer, and I can smell the fruity alcohol that the captain served us on her breath. “I…what? You…you shouldn’t…”
I chuckle darkly. “And why shouldn’t I, leannán?
My god, you’re like a damn temptation, the perfect definition of everything I could ever want.
Tell me. You want me to beg? I’ll do it,” I growl, leaning down to nip at her ear.
“You could bring a powerful man to his knees with just one word, leannán. I’d do anything for you, can’t you tell?
Don’t you know I’ve barely been able to restrain myself?
I’ve been like an angry lion guarding its dominion, pacing around and snarling at anyone that comes near.
Even Liam has faced my anger when it comes to you.
It took everything within me not to threaten to shoot that damn cheeky captain today and tell him to stay on the opposite side of the boat from you at all times.
Little prick thought he was so charming…
made me want to wipe that boyish smirk right off of his face. ”
She gasps at my words, and part of me feels triumphant at her shock. It felt like a relief to finally voice my true desires for her. The elevator doors finally open, and she practically bolts, ducking under my arm to escape me and leave the confined space.
She slows down once she makes it to the hallway, which has much fewer doors than her floor, since these are all suites. She seems to remember that she’s nowhere near her room, and there’s no escaping me.
I slowly join her, knowing that I have her right where I want her: in my room and talking to me.
I brush past, enjoying how she inhales sharply at the contact.
“Come, leannán. Let’s sit and have a drink.
Just you and me, honest and real. How does that sound?
” I walk over to my door, and I hear her soft footfalls behind me, so I know she’s following.
Which is good, because part of me was worried that she’d try to bolt back to the elevators.
I open the door and walk in, holding it open for her.
She walks in and looks around the open living room with floor to ceiling windows, showing off the gorgeous views of New York City.
There’s a long, L-shaped couch facing the skyline, with a shag rug underneath and a coffee table with a bowl of fruit on it.
I take off my jacket and place it in the coat closet that’s right next to the entrance. “Feel free to look around. Make yourself comfortable.” If I have any luck at restoring things between us tonight, maybe she’ll be staying here more often. It’ll be good for her to know where things are.