Chapter 30
Act III, Scene III: Padua Heights Montague House
Kalina
I didn’t sleep at all, and when the doorbell rang, I was still dressed in my gown and severely uncaffeinated.
I yanked it open and was met by Titan who looked absolutely amazing in a green knit jumper beneath a black coat and blue jeans.
His eyes were the colour of dewy grass and he had to be taking some magical potion, because he looked gorgeous and fresh.
‘Titan?’
‘Yes?’ His brows furrowed together in confusion.
‘What…what are you doing here?’ Maybe he’d gotten my messages and missed calls?
‘Montague House? For the walkthrough? That’s still happening right? It’s in my calendar.’ He pulled his phone from his pocket and looked down at it.
‘Oh. I didn’t know you were still coming.’ I held the front of my gown together with one hand as I remembered how naked I was underneath.
We stared at each other, for what felt like a full minute.
‘I agreed, didn’t I?’ His lips pulled up a little at the corner.
‘Fair.’ I shrugged.
‘Besides, you texted and called? I thought you needed the backup. Do you want me to leave?’
I shook my head. ‘No, no. I’m not ready yet…’
‘Is Scarlet home?’
‘In the kitchen.’ I stepped aside and he walked by.
I tried not to think about the way he looked.
Or smelled.
Both of which were delicious.
‘I’ll be ready in five minutes.’
‘Take your time.’ He started down the passage.
I bounded to my bedroom and slammed the door. ‘Okay. Breathe. You’ve got this.’ I leaned against the wood and took some steadying breaths.
This was it. We were going to be alone and I could finally tell him how I felt. It didn’t matter what the outcome was. What was important was being honest with him. And this time, when I chose my outfit carefully, he’d keep his gaze on me long enough to realise I was wearing it for him.
I put the emerald green bodysuit beneath sheer stockings, and a soft grey knitted jumper and mini skirt set. The bodysuit would give me the confidence to go through with this, or it would be a great distraction if words didn’t work. Win-win.
With black leather knee-high boots to complete the look I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
I ran my fingers through my hair, and let it fall loosely around my shoulders. Exactly the way he liked it.
If this didn’t make him fall to his knees, then I didn’t know what would.
Maybe I read into things, maybe it was the way he looked at me, but one thing was for sure. I’d never felt this way about anyone else.
I needed to tell him.
Titan sat at the dining room table across Scarlet, who was hunched over the wooden tabletop.
‘I’m ready,’ I called out and Scarlet flinched.
Titan’s gaze roamed down my frame and I tried not to smile.
Kalina-1.
Titan-0.
‘Everything okay?’ I asked, innocently. I picked up the container I’d spent the night filling and placed it in my bag.
‘Yeah.’ He couldn’t look at me.
‘One second.’ I strutted over to the cabinet above the sink and grabbed a pill bottle and a glass of water before depositing it on the table in front of Scarlet. ‘Hydrate and rest.’
Scarlet mumbled her thanks.
I nodded at Titan. ‘Ready.’
‘Should we leave her on her own?’ His voice was laced with worry.
I urged him toward the front door. ‘She needs to rest and she can’t do that with you around.’
He held the door ajar. ‘After you.’
I traipsed down the steps and waited for him to join. The same way I’d always done when he’d picked me up before.
Instead of turning right on the pavement, he walked toward a dark green car and opened the passenger door.
I looked at the car then him and back again. ‘What’s happening?’
‘We’re driving to Montague House.’
‘I thought we were taking a taxi?’
He exhaled loudly. ‘We’ll get there just the same. I thought you’d like the drive.’
I walked hesitantly toward him and inspected the door and seat before climbing in. ‘Oh, these seats feel like butter.’
A peal of laughter escaped him. ‘Are you comfortable?’
I wiggled in my seat. ‘Very.’
He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side.
‘Have you been trying to get me to ride on your bike when you had a car all along?’
He adjusted the seat, started the car, and the engine roared to life. ‘You’re saying you didn’t enjoy our ride the other night?’ He looked over his shoulder and pulled out of the parking spot.
‘The best ride of my life,’ I said and flicked my hair over my shoulder.
His foot shifted and the car stalled.
I didn’t expect it, and judging by the look on his face neither did he.
He cleared his throat and started up the car again.
‘Where have you been hiding this?’ I gestured to the general space around us.
‘It’s Ted’s. It was his father’s, and we usually take turns driving it, letting it get some time on the long road.’ He pulled out onto the street.
‘It’s beautiful, and suits Ted. Suits you too actually.’
He lounged in the seat, all long limbs and ease.
I wanted to make him laugh. I wanted the flirting and teasing between us.
Like before.
‘One of those are yours.’ He tipped his head at the centre console.
The lifted armrest housed cupholders underneath, where two thermal, reusable cups now sat.
‘You didn’t have to.’ I lifted the cup and inhaled. Sweet, spicy, and caffeinated. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s almond milk, so you don’t have to worry.’
I took a sip. ‘I wasn’t worried. You’re the one that’s so stressed about it.’
‘Do you like being in pain?’ We’d stopped at a red light and Titan lifted his cup to take a sip.
‘Depends if it’s worth it,’ I replied.
He sputtered as he nearly choked on his mouthful of coffee.
‘Like pizza. Gosh, your mind is in the gutter.’
He smiled, a genuine one that reached his eyes.
‘I actually brought something for you too.’ I held the cup between my thighs, before reaching into my bag and producing the container I’d packed. I lifted the lid to show him the cinnamon rolls. ‘Couldn’t sleep and there’s no way Scarlet and I would eat all of them.’
He let out a groan. ‘Those smell so good.’
I broke off a flaky piece the outside spiral, his favourite part, and held my hand out. ‘Here.’
He hesitated, looked at me, then looked at the road.
‘Come on, you can drive and I’ll make sure your needs are met.’ I lowered my voice, because that’s what he always did when he was making these sultry suggestions to me.
He shifted in his seat. ‘I should focus on the drive. But thank you.’
With disappointment in my chest, I pulled back, then popped the piece of pastry into my mouth instead.
I was as sad and unwanted as the cinnamon rolls.
Titan rubbed the back of his neck, then sat up straight to crack his spine.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Yeah, I couldn’t sleep either.’
‘You weren’t answering my texts. Or calls.’
Or the doorbell.
He waited for a beat. ‘My battery had died.’
‘Mmm…Well, if you’d answered me, then we probably could’ve helped tire each other out.’ I picked up my cup and took a sip.
Titan’s brows knitted together, he opened his mouth, and closed it. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Peachy.’
‘You seem…off.’
This wasn’t going the way I’d planned. He didn’t like the lines and I needed to switch to a different tactic. I reached out to touch his arm. ‘I’m fine, but you actually seem off. If you’re too tired to drive, I can take over.’
‘You’re a little too eager to get behind the wheel for someone who hasn’t slept.’
We were now on the main road. Montague House was far enough out of the city to make you feel like you were on a holiday and breathe in fresh country air, but not too far that you had to make a million stops along the way.
‘This car looks like it’s fun to drive.’
‘You can drive back,’ he offered.
‘Sure,’ I conceded.
I looked down at my phone and scrolled through my notes.
- Touching parts of your body you want them to notice
- Complimenting them
- Flirty or suggestive remarks
- Placing a hand on them in an innocent spot - for a physical connection
I’d tried all of the tricks Titan had taught me, but he was even more guarded now than when we’d started the drive. Frustration started rearing its head inside me.
‘I don’t trust anyone with this car. Don’t feel offended.’
‘Keep left,’ I said, ‘there’s a turn off coming up.’ I pretended like I’d been checking directions all this time.
‘It’s quicker to stay on this road.’
‘It’s easier if you turn off.’ I narrowed my gaze.
‘I’ve been there a million times more than you.’
‘Titan,’ I said sternly.
‘Kalina,’ He replied, his tone matched mine.
‘Must you always be so stubborn?’ I asked.
‘Must you always get your way?’ he countered.
The turn off came and went as he continued on the main road. The sky had turned grey from here, until as far as the eye could see.
‘Sit back and enjoy the drive. Do you know how to relax?’
‘I am relaxed.’
He scoffed. ‘Nothing about you says you’re relaxed right now.’
‘Could say the same about you.’ I turned toward the window.
‘Want to talk?’
I looked at him, at the softness in his green gaze, and the tilt of his lips.
Maybe this was the right time to tell him. ‘Actually, I wanted to tell you—’
The car jerked and he slowed down.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked, and my hand gripped the edge of my seat.
‘Don’t panic,’ he said in his most calm voice.
There were no cars around and only rolling fields on either side of us as he pulled onto the shoulder of the road. The car slowed to a halt.
‘Wait here,’ he said. He climbed out and inspected the front tyre.
‘Everything okay?’ I asked through the rolled-down window as I leaned over the centre console.
‘Tyre puncture.’
‘Can I help?’
He looked up at me. ‘Could you turn on the emergency lights please?’
I pushed the button then climbed out of the car.
‘What are you doing?’ He stood.
‘I can’t stay inside the car while you change the tyre. I might as well help you.’ I rolled up the sleeves of my jumper.
‘You’re not going to get onto the ground and change a tyre. You can stand over here though.’ He placed his hands on my upper arms and moved me back to the other side of the car. ‘Sometimes drivers can’t always see this side, and I don’t want you to get hurt.’
‘I can see perfectly fine, and I’m capable of—’
My words trailed as he shrugged off his coat then reached behind his neck to tug on the neckband of his jumper. His T-shirt got caught in the mix and lifted, revealing his toned, golden skin beneath.
I didn’t know where to look. Further down was the low waistband of his jeans, which seemed worse.
So, I looked at the ground instead.
He tossed his coat and jumper onto my seat, then went back to inspecting the tyre. ‘It’s pretty much fucked. There’s a rusty old nail embedded in it.’
Thunder rumbled behind us and dark clouds rolled through the sky.
‘Get in the car. Please.’ He looked at me sternly.
‘Not until you let me help you.’
He groaned audibly, but didn’t say anything as he walked to the back of the car, and pulled tools and a spare from the boot.
‘Stop being so stubborn, and talk to me.’ I took the tyre iron from his hand.
‘About the tyre?’ He bent down and jacked up the car causing the muscles in his arms to flex beneath his skin.
I swallowed hard then shook my head.
He took the tool from my hand, which broke me from my reverie. ‘Yes, and also whatever else it is you’re not talking to me about.’
A flash of lightning lit up the sky and the crack made me jump.
He quickened his pace. ‘Could you not do this right now?’ He groaned as he got the last bolt free. He switched out the tyre for the spare, then glanced up at me.
My breathing had quickened, from fear or frustration I couldn’t be sure. ‘When should I do it? You’ve been ignoring me, my texts, my calls.’ I crossed my arms over my chest.
He tightened the spare wheel then stood. His gaze burned a line down from my eyes to my lips and back again.
I inhaled sharply, and instinctively leaned forward.
He took a step back. ‘Don’t.’
His voice was barely a whisper. He walked to the boot of the car and I followed, hot on his heels.
‘Why won’t you even look at me? You stopped talking to me, and I don’t know what I did, or what I said, other than what you told me to do.’ I wanted to shake some sense into him.
Even now, his gaze was focused on his task, wiping the grease from his hands, and not on me. He looked up, his jaw tight and a deep frown set between his brows. He tossed the rag aside with more force than a flimsy cloth required. ‘What I told you?’
I scoffed. ‘ You told me to go out with Charlie. After I’d thought there was something between us.’ I gestured between our bodies. ‘You treated me as if nothing had ever happened. Like you didn’t care that I shared things with you. Things I’d never even said or done with anyone else.’
The clouds opened up above us, and in a matter of seconds we were both drenched.
But neither of us moved.
Both of our breaths were ragged, my brain told me to get in the car, but my body stayed rooted to the spot.
His white T-shirt was soaked, and now transparent. This only added to the growing ache in my chest and my belly.
‘Kalina,’ he said, and raked a hand through his hair in frustration. ‘Do you think I wanted to see you with anyone else?’
I shook my head. ‘What?’
‘I hated every second of it.’
I blinked rapidly, tears mixed with the rain streaked its way down my face. ‘Why did you tell me to go out with him? Why did you tell me he was perfect for me?’ I yelled over the torrential downpour. ‘Why didn’t you tell me how you feel?’
‘Because you deserve him!’ he shouted back at me. ‘You deserve someone who can give you the world. Someone who sees how wonderful you are.’ He looked up at the sky as if it’d give him answers. Then, he looked at me. ‘I knew if I told you how I felt, you wouldn’t give him a shot, and I never wanted you to regret what might’ve been. What you could’ve had.’
Anger and something else rolled around in my chest. This man frustrated me. We’d been so honest with one another, until he decided he knew what was best for me without consulting me.
‘So, you made the decision for me?’ I swiped at the angry tears and water on my cheeks.
‘No, I…’ He groaned.
Words wouldn’t get through.
I had to show him.
‘You’re so stupid.’ I shook my head.
I took a step forward, grabbed the front of his T-shirt, and pulled him down until his lips met mine in a searing kiss.