I felt the sting in my eyes and refused to blink to showcase the raw emotions that I felt getting ready to spill out of me.
“That’s deep but will you still want to own her. Will you chain?—”
“I’ll still own her.” I cut Nemesis off.
“It won’t be the kind of ownership that chains her down and keeps her locked away. It will be the kind that makes her beg to never leave.” I answered.
“Will you leave though? You can’t claim you actually leave this place because you go out to take care of business by saving people on the streets of L.A. If she’s everything you say she is…she probably wouldn’t want to be forced to love you with her heart, body, and soul here.” Nemesis replied.
“I’ve thought of that while moving the pieces around on my chess board.”
“What was the answer that came to you?”
“I’m willing to have a lot of first-time experiences with Mira…even if it includes leaving here from time to time.”
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
The dining roomwas already alive when I stepped through the double doors. To my surprise, I waited thirty minutes after saying goodbye to Nemesis to see if his gift had any side effects. I felt at ease stepping through the double doors. I was welcomed by the sound of Mira playing her violin.
All calmness left me soon as my eyes landed on her in the middle of my polished floor. She robbed me of all thoughts, as I took in the black silk gown flowing down to the floor. Her violin was cradled against her should, she drew the bow slowly as the notes filled the space between us with a perfect melody.
Mira’s thick wavy hair framed her face and fell past her shoulders. Her eyes stayed half closed, she was lost in the sound she was playing. My gaze shifted past her, three of my owlsperched along the iron beam above the room. They watched her in silence; their eyes reflected back the fire from the candles. I noticed their bodies were abnormally still tonight, heads tilted slightly in rhythm with her music. My owls were caught in Mira’s spell, except Josie.
Josie lifted off the perch without a sound, her wings spread wide as her feathers sliced through the cold air. She circled around the room once, I noticed Mira didn’t stop playing. She must have grown used to Josie’s abrupt moving. Josie descended and landed right on my shoulder. Her talons gripped the fabric of my tailored jacket, light but firm. I glanced over at her; she tilted toward Mira…That was Josie’s approval.
If Josie truly didn’t like someone, she would claw their eyes out. She was the most violent out of the rest.
I stood still with Josie, letting the sound of Mira’s melodies wash over me. It felt like everything inside of me went still. The chaos that usually pressed against my ribs eased, like her playing had unlocked a secret door inside of my chest to let the storm spill out. That was the shift, my owls felt it too. I could see it in the way they stayed calm, feather smooth, eyes fixed on her like they appreciated being blessed by the sound.
I took in every detail of Mira, the way her gown clung to her curves. The contrast of the black silk against her beautiful nutmeg complexion. Her lips parted slightly as she breathed through the music, she was unguarded, vulnerable in every sense. Her body swayed with each note, it wasn’t rehearsed nor practiced.
Josie clicked her beak once before I uttered the word.
“Beautiful.”
The note she played broke, her bow faltered as her big eyes flew open, locking on me. Mira froze in the middle of the dining room; violin still cradled against her shoulder. Her chest roseand fell quickly, as she batted those pretty eyes my way with baited breaths.
Josie stayed balanced on my shoulder, her feathers brushed against my jaw. My other owls shifted but remained where they were, watching Mira then watching me.
“What’s the name of that song?” I asked as I walked towards her.
“It’s umm…Giveon. The song is called Bleeding.” She answered me timidly.
I stopped in front of her; I inhaled the soft sweet scent that radiated off of her.
“You like his music?” I asked, eyes roaming her luscious body.
“I do, his voice is what I love…it’s soulful and deep along with his story telling through music.” She offered me a small smile.
“Are you hungry, Mira?” Heat rushed right to my dick.
“N—not really. I was a little, umm…anxious about our dinner, and me playing for you tonight…oh and being back in your room?—”
“Our room.” I corrected her.
“Yeah, our room.” Her eyes went to the ceiling.
Mira bit into her bottom lip then took in a deep breath. She carefully leaned down to place her violin right on the dinner table.
