Chapter 21
W e both lay on Caspian’s bed completely silent, still overcoming the sexual high we are on. I turn on to my side to look over at Caspian. He rolls over to face me and his already wide smile expands further. I just stare at all his gorgeous facial features. The slight freckles that you can only notice up close to him. His facial hair is perfectly shaped with sharp edges in a perfect beard and mustache. It's not thick but it's still full. He has long beautiful eyelashes to pair with his green eyes. Caspian is flawless. I wish I could be in his head right now. Is he looking at me the way I see him? I wonder.
“Abigail, I want you to know that I meant everything I said. I see you are in your thoughts and I just want to reassure you. Just in case.” He says. It's so wild to think that this is the same man I met on Parteis Island. The cocky man I was so determined to knock down a peg. Instead I just let him peg me. I joke to myself. God I am such a child. I smile back at him but I know my cheeks are at least mildly pink from the embarrassment of my inner thoughts.
“I know. I just can’t believe I hopped in bed with the man who cut my top on purpose during a sword fighting workshop.” I respond laughing and immediately cover my face with the blanket. Caspian grabs the blanket from my face and pulls it back down.
“You don’t need to hide from me, Abigail. Not ever. I want to see it all, when you're happy, confident, embarrassed, angry, and sad. You never need to hide a piece of yourself from me.” He responds with a faint tone. Every word he says to me makes me feel like mush. The only person who has ever made me feel anything like this is Ace. ??
Shit. Ace . I was so wrapped up in Caspian’s intoxicating words that I completely forgot about Ace and everything that was happening between us before I was pulled off the ship. I flip onto my back and look at the ceiling. I need space to think . I sit up in the bed and glance around the room to see where my clothes landed. ??
Caspian sees me looking and stands up out of the bed. He is completely naked and I just watch as he walks over to each clothing item. His back turned to me as he kneels down to pick up my tunic and I can’t help but notice the definition in his back and the perfect butt dimples on both cheeks. God this man . He hands me the clothing and then opens his door to his room to let me out. I smirk at him knowing full well that he is doing that just to watch me leave completely undressed. ??
My ego is inflamed and I decide to give him what he wants. I stand up holding my clothing in my hands and slowly walk past him, out his door and into mine, not once looking at him to see his reaction. The moment I shut my door behind me, I lean up against it just replaying everything in my head. He brings out a different side to me, almost rebellious but I feel so confident.
Suddenly, I hear a little knock through the door.
“Yes?” I pry without opening the door. ??
“I just wanted to let you know, my darling Abigail, that we will be at your ship by Dusk. I’m leaving a few bottles of water right here at your door and will let you know once we have arrived.”He states.
He brought me water? The arrogant man has turned into a gentleman after one time in bed?
??I roll my eyes at my thoughts but can’t stop myself from smiling. He’s somehow turning into everything I could want in someone. But Ace, Ace is so much of everything I used to want. Or have always wanted, really. Now I am going to see him in the morning, the morning after I sleep with someone else. Nerves rush throughout me, I know I am not ready for tomorrow to come. But at the same time, nothing has technically happened between Ace and I, so am I over analyzing everything? He sees me as a sister, always has and always will . I try to convince myself. I cant believe such small amounts of time has begun to alter feelings I have had for far too many years.
I throw on my clothing and open the door to grab the two bottles just sitting there waiting for me. I do a quick glance to see Caspian has already left, then immediately crack open the first bottle and chug down the pure taste of purified water. I haven’t known Caspian long, but every moment with him has been memorable or new. Even something as simple as water, this now ties into something memorable from him. The best fucking water I have ever had in my entire life, I might add. My mind is definitely in shambles.
I sit down on the edge of the bed, just to think through how tomorrow could turn out. I don’t have a plan , but I also don’t think I will need one. Ace knows about my real family and I am sure he will help me retrieve Arielle’s husband and help Caspian keep me safe. But I know I need his knowledge and another person I can truly trust by my side to see this through. I turn off the light, lay down in the bed and close my eyes. I will need a fresh mind for what's to come tomorrow.