Vanessa
As during the drive to the gravesite, on the return to his house, the place I now called my home, the silence was even more deafening.
Over the course of two hours, only a few minutes of heartbreaking words said, I’d come to learn so much about the man who stood taller than so many others. Yet broad shoulders and strong muscles couldn’t protect him from the agony that had plagued him for years.
While on the outside, Christian had blamed his brother for not protecting their sister, for indulging in drugs when her safety had been placed at risk, the greatest guilt was because he’d been unable to save her life.
Once inside the door, I headed for the kitchen and the already open bottle of wine. I wasn’t certain who needed the comfort more.
I hadn’t realized he’d followed me into the room until I felt the clear jolt of electricity.
“You’ll find plastic cups in the cabinet on the right.”
His words caught me off guard. “Plastic. Are you afraid I’ll cut you with glass?”
He closed the distance, still leaving space. Neither one of us knew exactly what to say to the other. The sad irony that there were so many similarities to our lives felt strangely comforting. That didn’t mean we weren’t riddled with too many emotions.
“There’s nothing you can do that will hurt me.”
The statement was so jarring, so heartfelt. I didn’t want to hurt him. I wanted to wrap my arms around him the same way he had when I’d felt so lost and anxious about Donovan.
I did as I was told, finding the cups and pouring us both a hefty glass. When I turned around, a splash of heat crested across my jaw from the way he was staring at me. Unblinking, his eyes were darker than normal. He took a deep breath, accepting the cup as I held it out. Our fingers touched.
The soft collide was unnerving, sensations tingling every muscle.
“When Caroline graduated from high school, I bought her a sterling silver charm bracelet at the jewelers we were at. The charms were made with an artist in mind. She loved it, almost never taking it off. She was wearing it the night… The night she died.”
I pressed my hand against his face. “Do you still have it?”
“No, she was buried with it. My little artist.”
Nodding, I wasn’t certain what to say.
“Come with me.” His voice was dark and demanding, yet as soft as smooth velvet.
I did as he asked, following behind him as he led us to the pool area.
When he turned to face me, he allowed his gaze to sweep down to my feet. “Thank you for trusting me enough.”
“I should thank you for the same. I’m so sorry, Christian. There are no words to take away the anguish.”
“Just you being there brought some sense of closure.” He held his glass up, chuckling when I drove mine against the side of his, sloshing both cups.
Laughing, I licked the drops from mine. All the while he refused to take his eyes off me.
“Caroline would have thought you were perfect for me.”
“Oh, yeah? How so? Because I can keep you on your toes?”
His laugh was easier than before. “Something like that. However, she also knew my need to control every creature under the sun.”
“Creature. What kind of creature am I?” I took another sip, thankful the bold taste calmed my nerves. Around him, I was always anxious. This time for an entirely different reason than I was used to. I felt close to him, something I hadn’t thought possible.
“I told you. A wildcat.” At least some of the darkness had left his face.
After taking a swallow of his wine, he took my cup away, placing both on the table. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong other than you are wearing entirely too many clothes.”
