Chapter 6 #2
I pause, looking upwards and placing a finger on my chin.
“Maybe, this …” I dip my head and press my lips to his.
His lips are full, and wet from his coffee, and I let my tongue run along the length of his full lower lip.
When his tongue darts out to meet mine, I tease him by moving and kissing my way along his smooth, clean-shaven jawline.
“I thought maybe I’d also distract you with this,” I whisper softly in his ear, making him shiver, before I take his lobe between my teeth and pull gently.
He tilts his head to let me have better access, and he groans deep in his throat as I suck and nip his soft, sensitive flesh.
I smile inwardly knowing that I’ve found one of his weak spots, and the way he’s gripping the shirt tightly around my waist tells me he’s loving this.
I kiss up and down his neck, and when he turns his head towards me, I capture his lips.
We kiss passionately, hungrily, and with a tenderness I can’t explain.
I moan into his mouth and he swallows my soft noises, keeping them for himself, which is just how it’s intended. All for him.
Denham’s cell phone buzzes across the table, and although I could ignore it and carry on like he is, it reminds me that he has things he should be doing, and my distracting him isn’t constructive towards his day.
“You’re in demand,” I say against his lips.
“Yes, you’re demanding.”
“Not me.” I sit up straight and swat at his upper arm “Your cell, someone’s trying to get ahold of you.
“I know. I heard it. I choose to ignore it. Now come and kiss me, woman.”
“Now who’s demanding?”
“I am. And you’re not doing as I asked.”
“That’s because, as much as I’d like to stay here as your cave woman, you have a Kingdom to run.”
“Why do I hate it when you’re right?” he grumbles.
“No more than me, but I hate to keep you from your duties. I’ve stolen enough of your free time over the last few days, and I don’t think I should be taking up anymore,” I say, climbing off his lap and taking his hand.
“Denham, I want to find some kind of normal. I’ve never had it.
I just want you to do your thing. I’ll do my thing and we can see each other in between, okay? ”
He stands and wraps his arm around my shoulder, then kisses the side of my head. “Okay. Come and see me out then, woman,” he smirks, making me chuckle.
He stops in the doorway and faces back at me resting his bare forearms on the door frame.
“I don’t want you going far. Please don’t leave the building, Arianna. And if you want anything at all, call me … okay?”
“Yes, captain. I’m going across the hall to shower, that’s it,” I answer with a curt nod of my head and a salute.
“Okay, but no further. I mean it. I want you conscious and in one piece when I come back … which will be as quick as I can make it.”
“Denham …”
“Yes, I know, I know,” he says, pushing himself off the door frame, and cupping my face in his hands. “I just want you safe,” he whispers. He kisses me softly on the lips, three times.
“Now go!” I order.
“Be good.”
“You too …”
He presses the button for the elevator, and when the door pops open, Denham hesitates before getting in.
He runs his thumb along his chin, seemingly contemplating something.
Then he turns and jogs the four strides that it takes to get back to where I’m still standing in the doorway and pulls me in for one last kiss.
This kiss is not like the others. This one is full of passion and promise, and it’s me that now wants him to come back as soon as possible, and finish what he’s just started.
He huffs and reluctantly his lips leave mine.
“Make sure you’re wearing that when I get back. I don’t want you wearing anything more or anything less, got it?”
I giggle. “Got it.”
“Good.”
Having nothing of mine in Denham’s apartment, I cross the hall to my apartment.
I need my lotions and shampoos, and as much as I like to smell of Denham and his body wash, my hair is screaming out for my products.
I grab up my cell, and the key cards to both apartments, and head for the door.
A nervousness itches my skin, and I can’t put my finger on the reason why.
It’s the first time I’ve been alone since I fell.
The first time I’ve been back in my apartment, alone, since I fell.
It’s not that I’m not capable of being alone.
I am. I’ve done it thousands of times before.
I think it’s that I’m worried about the consequences.
As much as I try and convince Denham that I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself, there’s a small part of me that’s worried I’ll black out again.
I hate the fact that I can’t remember what happened, and that is what worries me the most. But I may never know exactly what happened.
It could have been any number of things and there’s no point dwelling on what might never come to light.
I suck in a lungful of air before I slide the card into the reader.
Panic reaches nearly an eight out of ten as the green light flashes and the door clicks open.
It’s inexplicable and totally unwarranted but it’s there, nonetheless.
Once I push the door open wide and scan the room, the anxiety starts to subside, and my nerves settle somewhat.
There’s nothing to worry about in this room.
With the high tech CCTV all around The Kingdom, and the code being needed for the penthouse elevator, I’m safe.
The only person I’m not safe from is myself, and right now I’m feeling physically fine.
The drapes in my apartment are pulled open wide, and the morning light touches every part of the room. It really is a great room. Light and airy, no dark corners, no large intimidating furniture. Just a modern, clean living room with a homey feel to it.
With every step further into the room, I feel a little less nervous.
My body is giving me no sign that anything unexpected is going to happen and I start to relax.
I grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator and open the doors to the balcony.
The gentle breeze blows the wisps of hair around my face, and I look up to the bright sky.
“Today is a good day. It’s going to be a good day,” I say to myself resolutely.
The sun is shining; I’m here, feeling fine, and I have Denham King to look forward to later, what more could I want?
I make a coffee, and before I can call down and order something for breakfast, there is a knock at the door, and I open it to find that breakfast has come to me.
It’s not Anthony today though; it’s a young girl in the uniform that looks too big for her and a very nervous expression.
It looks like she’s new to this job, maybe it’s even her first day, and the poor girl has been sent to the penthouse, no doubt with specific instructions to do everything right.
She fiddles with her fingers, picking at the skin around her nails, just like I do when I’m nervous.
“Good morning, miss.” She manages to push the words out, and I can see how hard it was for her. She’s really going to have to come out of her shell to work here, but I’m sure it won’t take more than a few good days and kind words.
“Good morning.”
“Mr. King instructed that I bring you breakfast. Where would you like it?”
“Just over there by the table will be fine,” I instruct and take a second to look at her name tag. “Thank you, Natalie.”
That name brings memories to the forefront of my mind.
Memories I was forgetting, regardless of how long or short the time that has gone by, I was actually leaving it all behind and moving on.
She reminds me of me in so many ways and I want to sit her down and tell her about everything, everything I went through, if for nothing but to make her more aware of the big wide world, and how much she needs to toughen up to survive.
I stop the racing thoughts. And instruct myself to breathe.
Natalie stands next to the cart with eyes so wide, she looks like a stunned rabbit.
“Oh, I’m sorry, N—” I can’t bring myself to say her name again. “Here,” I say, hurrying over to my purse and pulling out a bill for her.
“Oh, no, miss. I couldn’t possibly. I mean, I don’t think I’m allowed,” she stutters, shuffling her feet backwards in the direction of the door.
“Please, take it,” I say. Taking her hand in mine, I push the bill into her palm and close her fingers around it. “Is this your first day?” I ask with a smile, hoping to put her at ease a little.
“No, it’s my third day, I’m trying to do everything right today,” she answers in a dejected voice.
“Oh, you didn’t do everything right yesterday?”
“I tried.” She shrugs.
“Well, I think you’re doing a great job today. I wouldn’t tip you if you weren’t,” I reassure softy.
“Hopefully the dragon lady will think so too, although I doubt it.” Her eyes instantly widen as she realizes she just voiced this out loud. “Oh god, I’m sorry. I’ve spoken out of turn, please don’t tell Mr. King, please, I need this job, I need it bad.”
“Hey, calm yourself. I won’t be telling anyone anything, other than to say how good I think you are. I happen to be a friend of Mr. King and I will be sure to tell him how impressed I am, okay?”
She nods, although the worry lines are still etched around her lips.
“Now, you want to tell me who the dragon is, and why she’s giving you so much trouble?”