Chapter fifteen #2
“Get up and get out,” I mutter through gritted teeth and watch him rise to his feet. With a last death look my way, he slowly steps out of the room, not breaking eye contact, and disappears into the hallway.
Good riddance.
“Adrian.” Elana’s voice is timid behind me.
I turn back and wrap my arms around her. “I’m here.”
She squeezes me tighter, her fingers digging into my shoulders as she buries her face against my chest.
“I’m sorry,” she mutters in my arms, her voice coming out muffled. I bring my hand to her chin, lifting it gently.
“What can you possibly be sorry for?” I try to keep my voice as calm as I can. She just shakes her head out of my grasp and sucks in a shaky breath. “Let’s get you out of here.”
Elana insisted we find her friend Lilly to let her know she was leaving, but there were no traces of her on the front porch, so I led Elana straight to my car. Now, her fingers are wrapped around mine, squeezing gently every now and again all the way home as I navigate the streets with one hand.
Her touch used to send waves of electricity through me, leaving fire in their wake.
In this very moment, her touch has turned into the sweetest opposite, calming and grounding.
I steal a glance at her from the corner of my eye as she leans forward to switch on the radio.
Our eyes meet briefly, and she graces me with a small smile.
She’s smiling. She’s all right. Neither of us says anything about what happened, and neither of us asks questions.
Frank’s son is Elana’s ex-boyfriend. I almost let out a snort at the ridiculousness of it, but unwelcome thoughts of him on top of her put a scowl on my face.
I close my eyes for a moment to banish the mental images of him fucking her from my mind.
I reach down and turn up the radio, hoping the music will shoo away the anger rising within my chest.
Once we’re back home, I lead her to the couch in the living room.
“Sit here. There are blankets in that drawer if you need one.” I gesture to one of the wooden cabinets and look back at her.
“Thank you.” She sends another gentle smile my way. “I had no idea he was going to be there. I would have never gone otherwise.” Her voice is quiet, careful. “How do you know him?”
“I had the displeasure of meeting him at an art exhibition his father dragged him to.” I walk over to the fireplace and flick the flames to life, the crackling sounds and dancing lights filling the space around us.
“Oh,” she says, nodding. “What are the odds?” A small scoff escapes her lips.
“Indeed. Would you like some tea?” My anger is gone, making room for the warmth of her here and the sight of her on the couch, safe and smiling.
“Yes, please.”
I nod and make my way to the kitchen. I opt for chamomile tea for Elana and pour myself a generous glass of brandy.
When I return to the living room, I find Elana waiting with her legs under a plush white blanket.
“Chamomile tea.” I raise the mug before handing it to her. “It’s hot, be careful.” She takes the mug from me and breathes in the steam coming out of it.
“Thank you.” She’s looking at me with a grateful smile as she cradles the steaming mug. “Not just for the tea. I’m sorry I hung up on you. I’m sorry for making you look for me, for ruining your night.”
“You didn’t ruin it. I broke his nose and made him apologize. That’s a damn good night in my book.” Her playful laugh fills my chest with something I can’t name. Something delicate and bright. “I don’t want you to feel trapped here,” I admit, sitting across from her on the coffee table.
“Is that why you didn’t put up a fight when I told you about the party?” she asks, her voice soft with concern. I meet her gaze, my fingers tracing the pattern of my glass.
“Were you expecting me to?” I raise my brows.
“Yes.” She chuckles and blows away the steam coming out of her tea.
“If I hadn’t shown up on time—” I shake my head, trying to rattle away the possible scenarios.
“I can hold my own, you know. I would have sent Carson flying faster than you did.” She lifts her chin a bit with a grin.
“I have no doubt you would have made him regret it.” I give her a small smile in return.
She narrows her eyes at me. “How did you know where I was, anyway?”
“I have a knack for knowing everything, remember?” A smirk tugs at my lips, and I bring the glass up to them.
Her giggle fills the room. “I thought you had a knack for being everywhere.” She raises a brow and brings her own mug to her lips.
“Semantics,” I shrug, and she laughs, throwing her head back, exposing her neck. This, this is how I want her to be with me. I want that beautiful laugh filling every corner of my home, my soul.
“I love your laugh,” I say before I can stop myself.
A blush creeps up her cheeks, and she looks down at her hands clasping the mug.
I place my glass on the table beside me and stand, shifting towards her so my shins touch her folded knees under the blanket.
I hear her inhale as she watches the place where our legs touch.
I gently take the mug away from her and place it on the coffee table next to mine before putting a finger under her chin and lifting it.
Her green eyes meet mine, and she parts her lips.
Longing. There’s so much longing in her eyes.
“You told me you wanted me to kiss you.” I watch the soft shade of pink turn brighter at my words. To her credit, she doesn’t look away, slowly nodding instead. “Say the words. What do you want me to do, little duck?” She blinks up at me, her eyes glazed with desire.
“I want…” She sucks in a breath.
“Yes?” I tilt my head to the side and wait for her to muster the courage to say the words.
“I want you to kiss me,” she breathes and closes her eyes to hide her embarrassment. When she opens them again, I’m already kneeling before her, my lips inches away from hers.