He gave a short laugh. “Tired? You could say that.” When I would have questioned him further, he kissed me and drew me to a nearby bench. “But I’m more concerned about you. Tell me what has you so upset.”
I sighed. “Am I that obvious?”
“To me. Jonas told me a little bit about your conversation.”
Before, my only concern had been to see if Cadmus was all right. And, I admitted, to share my feelings and find a haven in his solid embrace. But now that I’d touched him, saw with my own eyes that he really did care, a flood of love overwhelmed me, bringing with it a brood of worries.
“Tell me, Ellie. I’m here for you.”
Still hesitant, I wavered until he turned me around and pulled me back against his chest, running his hands up and down my arms and over my shoulders in an incredibly tender massage.
Surrendering to his care, I recounted my parents’ conversation. “I’m so confused. It’s like the people I once thought I knew never existed. I understand why my mother wanted to keep me safe growing up, but to let me believe my father didn’t care about me for so long? I’m twenty-eight, for God’s sake! I’ve spent my whole life despising my father while wishing he loved me, even a little bit. And it was all a lie.”
Tears welled, and I angrily brushed them away.
“I’m sorry.” Cadmus wiped away my tears. Then he tucked my head under his chin and hugged me tight. “Seems like your parents both wanted what they thought best for you. They love you very much.”
“I know. That’s what makes this so hard. I spent so much of my life trying not to be like my father, even while I wanted him to love me. I thought he just didn’t care. But now I find he cared — cares — a lot.”
“And you feel guilty for the way you treated him.” Cadmus huffed. “Ellie, the way I see it, both your parents screwed up.”
“What?”
“Your mother could have dealt with your father without dragging you in the middle. And your father could have told you the truth. No offense, I like your mother, but she’s not perfect.”
A sense of justified anger at my father sparked. “You’re right. Ethim could have sought me out, but he didn’t.”
Cadmus stayed quiet and rubbed my arms. It felt so good to be with him. I could feel the soothing warmth in his hands, the depth of his concern in the gentleness of his touch.
“Why didn’t he tell you, do you think?” he asked, leading me in the direction I’d been heading.
“Because…because I never embraced that part of me that was like him.”
“The Djinn.”
“That Dark side of me. The side you can’t stand,” I couldn’t help prodding, trying to work out my resentment.
“Nice jab.” He kissed the top of my head. “We really do have a lot in common, besides both of us being exceptionally attractive, I mean.”
“Oh?” I rolled my eyes, openly smiling because I knew he couldn’t see my face.
“We both like to take shots at people when they’re trying their best to comfort us. We both have loving families, and we’ve both suffered the loss of our fathers, though you’re at a lucky point in your life enabling you to mend that hurt. Then there’s that most important trait we have in common.”
Touched by his insight, I completely relaxed against him. “What’s that?”
“We both love my body.” The smile in his voice started a chuckle out of me. I turned to face him, to thank him for his understanding, and stilled at the hunger in his gaze.
“You have no idea what you do to me, baby.”
He kissed me softly, increasing the pressure of his lips when I pulled him closer. Just the taste of him made me hungry for more of him.
“Cadmus, I want —”
“So do I, baby. I want you to be happy. But more, I want you. I always do.” He stood with me, kissing me until I could do nothing but kiss him back, my thoughts in a sensual daze. When he broke the kiss, I moaned my displeasure. But he left me only to toss several pillows to the floor, creating a makeshift bed.
“Pretty handy, aren’t you?”
“You could say that.” He grinned, his eyes alight, and I couldn’t help falling into absolute love.
