Chapter 47-A fiery Kiss
Audrey's POV...
"You two have been seeing each other?" I asked in surprise after Lena explained everything to us.
We were standing by the exit of the gallery. She and Richard had their heads bowed.
"Why didn't you tell me about it Lena?" I asked. "How long were you willing to keep it a secret?"
"I'm sorry Audrey, but I didn't know how you'll react to it," Lena said. "Besides, we were still figuring things out together," she glanced at Richard.
Lena's words hung in the air between us. For a moment, I just stared at them, trying to process what I had just heard.
"Was this the reason you spent two weeks in Monaco?" Jonathan asked from behind. "So you two could meet?"
Richard nodded slowly.
"And that was why you persuaded me to go for that deal, so you could meet with Richard," I said.
"I'm sorry," she muttered.
No one spoke for a few seconds. The sound of cars passing outside the gallery filled the silence between us.
"I'm not offended that you guys are seeing each other. You're adults and can choose for yourselves, but why did you have to be secretive about it?" I questioned Lena.
"It's not like I would ask you to stop seeing him or end things with him. So why?" I said, my voice low.
She bit her lips and looked down, tugging at the hem of her sleeve.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and placed my hands on my waist.
I felt betrayed. She didn't see it necessary to tell me about them. But when I discovered things had changed between Jonathan and I, I told her about my feelings for him. But now... she hid this from me.
"What are you guys doing here anyway?" Jonathan asked.
"He... um... He took me... it's a..." she cleared her throat and glanced at Richard. It was very awkward.
"It's okay," I intervened. I touched Jonathan on the shoulder. "I have just one more question... how long has this been going on?"
"A month now," Richard said.
I shook my head slowly. "You guys are unbelievable," I muttered and started walking away.
"You can go back in," I turned swiftly. "We don't want to ruin your date. Besides..." I faced Lena. "I'm happy for you"
I smiled and turned around to go, Jonathan following behind me.
I entered the car and shut the door, staring ahead at the road.
Jonathan came inside and sat next to me.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he looked at me.
"Of course not," I blinked. "That's my manager and my best friend we're talking about here. She's been a part of my life for the past six years,"
"I understand how you feel. Maybe she had her reason," Jonathan said.
"Yeah," I sighed.
"Just talk things out with her and know the exact reason she did that," he added.
I just rubbed my forehead and nodded. Jonathan turned on the ignition and the engine roared to life. Slowly, the car started to move.
My eyes traveled to the rearview mirror and I saw Lena watching the car as it sped off. Her eyes held sadness and the regret was all over her face.
I looked away and stared blankly at the road. Why did it seem like things were going to change between us now?
No. I wouldn't allow that. Lena is my best friend and I know she had a reason for keeping their relationship a secret.
We got home and entered the house. I walked towards the stairs leading to my room. The door shut with a click as Johnathan walked in. I turned abruptly.
"Tonight was amazing, regardless of whatever that happened," I said. I noticed how he put his hands behind his back immediately, like he was hiding something. He looked nervously at me and forced a smile.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I'm glad you enjoyed it,"
"What are you hiding?" I asked and started coming down the stairs.
"Nothing," he shook his head and moved backwards, towards the door.
"You're hiding something," I said, still coming down.
"I'm not," he countered.
I walked quickly towards him. "Jonathan Ryder... Cavendish,"
"Don't call me that," he said.
I glared at him. "Fine," he gave in. "Close your eyes,"
I looked at him questioningly.
"Come on. If you don't close your eyes, then I won't tell you what it is"
I shut my eyes immediately and waited.
"Okay now. Open your eyes," his voice rang through.
I opened my eyes slowly and gasped. "Oh my goodness," I covered my mouth with my palms.
"You didn't," I muttered in disbelief. "You got me a painting,"
He nodded. "You've always talked about how much you love art and I observed how you watched them today. I thought to buy one,"
He handed the painting over to me. I smiled widely as I looked at it.
"Thank you. I love it," I paused. "But wait, how and when did you buy it?"
"It's my little secret," he said and winked at me.
"I'll put it here in the living room, above the fireplace" I said happily.
He smiled a bit and looked away for a minute. He looked like he wanted to say something. He sighed before returning his gaze to me.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, concern etched in my voice as I gently touched his arm.
"I never knew that loving someone felt this way," he ran his hands through his hair. "Always wanting to please them and when you do... seeing them smile just makes you so happy,"
I watched him, my heart's pace gradually increasing.
He looked at me, covering the little distance between us. He reached for the painting and gently placed it by the wall.
"Audrey..." he called me as he held my hand, looking deep into my eyes. "I always want to make you happy. The bad memories you had as a child... I want to replace those memories with happy ones," his gaze slowly traveled to my lips.
He tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear. My heart skipped a beat.
"If you'll let me," he continued. I stared at his lips as he spoke. They looked soft and inviting. I didn't know when I bit my lips.
"I want to take away the bad impression your father made you have and..."
I leaned in and kissed him, cutting him off. He responded immediately. His lips moved in sync with mine. I didn't know I was such a good kisser.
His palms reached up and cupped my cheeks as he deepened the kiss. My hands reached to his hair as I ruffled with it.
The kiss wasn't soft and passionate. It was raw and wild.
I didn't even realise we were moving backwards, until my body hit the wall. His lips left mine from the impact and I leaned forward for more, surprising myself.
He smiled with the corner of his lips as he tilted his head to the right and captured my lips again. I placed my hands on his chest, but he removed them and placed them above my head. We didn't break from the kiss.
Why has his lips become my favourite thing in the world? I thought breathlessly.
His mouth left mine and he drifted to my neck. He placed soft kisses there.
"Uhh," I moaned in pleasure. I tried releasing my hands to cover my mouth, but he held my hands firm. He kissed the nape of my neck and my forehead. My knees felt weak.
He released my hands and put his arms around my body in a hug as he kissed me hungrily. I responded with the same intensity. My lips started feeling sore.
He pulled away from the kiss, but his face was still very close to mine, our noses touching.
"I'm willing to love you for the rest of my life," he closed his eyes and his breath fanned my skin. I watched him intently. If I leaned in just a bit, our lips would meet.
"I've never known love all my life... but meeting you... I've gotten all the love I need," his breathing became even. "Please don't leave me," he whispered.
I held his cheeks reassuringly. "I won't... I promise,"
He smiled softly and the next thing... he flipped me over and carried me in his arms and headed for the stairs... to my room.
I gasped and pushed my head into his chest. I wasn't a fan of height. I breathed in his cologne and that ignited a new wave of passion in me. His scent has become my favourite thing to perceive. Everything about him had become my favourite.
There in his arms as he walked upstairs, I felt safe. I had found my place... and it was by his side.
So sweet. I can't get enough of these too. Who would have thought that these two people who hated each other's guts could fall madly in love with each other this way?