Chapter 14 #3
His head snapped to the sound of her voice, and he lifted his chin in her direction. He hesitated as she motioned him over. He held up a hand as if to say “no thanks.” She motioned more urgently, and he walked the opposite way.
“I’ll go get him,” Scarlet told her parents. She quickly took off after him, wondering why he was ignoring her. “Alex.”
He stopped, turning his attention to her. “What is it, Scarlet? I’m working.”
She pursed her lips, frowning up at him. “I just need you to reassure my parents that I’m safe.” She pulled his arm. “Five seconds of your time.”
“I have to finish my current sweep,” Alex protested. “Maybe later.”
“Just real quick,” she insisted, reaching out to grasp his arm. “My dad’s been stressed?—”
“Not my problem,” Alex said gruffly. Scarlet released his arm in surprise. “I’m not here to appease you or any member of your family. I’d appreciate if you’d just leave me to my work.”
Alex gave her a slight bow, turned, and walked away.
Scarlet watched him, dumbfounded, as he let himself out of the set of double doors that led outside.
She shifted her attention back to the table where her parents sat. Her father was frowning deeply. She lifted a finger to tell him she’d be right back, and took off after Alex. She pushed open the doors to the outside courtyard and stared at Alex.
He had his hands on the railing that overlooked the lower garden. His head was down, like he was trying to catch his breath.
She marched over to him. “Alex, what the hell is your problem?”
“Go away, Scarlet,” he muttered.
“No.” She put her hands on her hips. “There’s no reason for you to be so rude.”
Alex kept his head down. “There’s nothing in my job description that says I have to be polite.”
The garden lights twinkled while the sound of water cascaded down the fountains around them, drowning out the noise from the party.
The slight August breeze cooled the air and carried the scent of magnolias through the air.
The soft pink lights danced from the gas lamps that hung delicately from wrought iron posts.
The night was perfect, but Scarlet still wanted to scream. Her feelings pulled her in different directions, and Alex was giving her full-on whiplash. She wanted him to take her in his arms, kiss her deeply, and make all the frustration subside.
She tapped a toe on the ground and sighed. “I’m sorry, did I do something? I thought… I mean, I felt…”
Alex looked up to the sky, took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Please. Just leave me alone.”
“Why?” Scarlet asked. “You’re comforting one minute, then the next minute you’re a total jerk. Are you leading me on, or what?”
Alex lowered his gaze to her. “I’m not...”
“Then what?”
“I just have issues.” He gritted his teeth. “I don’t have to explain myself to you right now. You have more important things to do.”
Scarlet threw her hands up in the air and let out a sigh of aggravation. “You know, this is supposed to be such a great night for me, yet I can’t manage to?—”
“I’m sorry I’m putting a damper on your perfect night.” He rolled his eyes.
Scarlet’s frustration peaked, and she stomped her foot on the ground, like a child. “You’re infuriating. You’re insufferable, rude, and … and I can’t get you the hell out of my head! It’s not fair!”
She looked out over the gardens. The lights before her were so gentle and romantic, yet here she was, about to throw a tantrum because of a man. How dare he make me feel like this.
“I just don’t understand,” she breathed. “You make me crazy.”
She continued to gaze out to the garden, unable to look back over at him as her tears surfaced. Don’t you dare cry.
Her skin tingled as he placed his hands on her bare shoulders. She trembled against their warmth.
Alex was so close she could feel his breath on her neck. She wanted so badly for him to kiss her skin and tell her he wanted her.
“How crazy?” He whispered into her ear.
Scarlet inhaled deep, her chest expanding against the tight binds of the dress.
“As crazy as you make me?” His breath was soft against her cheek, sending a shudder through her body.
Alex ran a hand down her arm to the front of her dress, his thumb barely missing her breasts. He turned her to face him, his eyes searching hers.
“Crazier,” she breathed.
He placed a finger under her chin to tilt her head up before pressing his lips softly against hers.
She relaxed as his arms wrapped around her. As he pulled her close, she rose on her tiptoes, closing more height difference.
Gently, he placed his hand on the side of her cheek, pushing closer into her. His other hand caressed the small of her back, pulling her into him. Scarlet inhaled deeply, taking in the faint smell of vanilla spice from his jacket as all distance between them was no more.
As the kiss intensified, Scarlet became lost in it, like her life depended on that moment. This was what she wanted, and it was perfect. She may not have known much about him, but she knew she yearned for his touch.
The confusion melted away as her thoughts lingered on him and how his lips felt as they danced with hers. She never wanted it to end.