“I don’t know,” I replied.
“Ariana…” He stepped toward me and grabbed my hand, gently brushing his thumb along my knuckles.“I told you I’d do whatever it takes to earn your trust.Consider this me showing you that you’renota prisoner here.”
“So you’re doing this for me?”
He reached up, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.His fingers grazed my cheek, sending shivers down my spine.
“Everything I’ve done since that gala has been for you.”His unwavering gaze held mine, not allowing me to escape the truth in his words.“Let me show you more of my world.Who I am.”
I looked over the field, sunlight shimmering across the tall grass, reminding me of freedom.Beauty.Possibility.
And him.
The man I was slowly learning to trust.
“Okay,” I said with a smile.
The transformation on his face nearly undid me.His entire expression lit up, becoming boyish even.Like a weight had lifted from his shoulders.
“Do you think you can be ready to leave around noon?”he asked.
“Sure.”
“Great.”He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my cheek.
The warmth of his lips lingered long after he retreated, leaving me standing there, my pulse racing and skin tingling.
And wishing he hadn’t stopped at just a kiss.
ChapterTwenty
Henry
The highway stretched before me like a gray ribbon, cars flickering past in a blur of color and motion.Every flash of chrome made my pulse hitch, my grip tighten on the wheel.It was probably irrational to worry that someone could be following us, but old instincts died hard.If anyonewerefollowing us, I’d know.I’d see them coming.I’d stop them.
Ariana seemed completely oblivious to the anxiety filling me as she sat in the passenger seat.Her lips curved into a faint smile as she admired the passing landscape, sunlight flickering over her face in golden bands.
For a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine this was normal.
That we were a regular couple going away for the weekend.
This was why I wanted to get away.To help her feel some semblance of normalcy.To do something more to prove she wasn’t my captive.That I wasn’t like Victor.
That I could meet her halfway.
“What are you thinking about?”I asked, stealing a glance at her.
“Just taking it all in,” she replied, still watching the world fly by.“I’ve never been to Atlanta before.”
“Really?”I furrowed my brows.“I thought you’d have been everywhere.”
She shrugged.“I went wherever Victor demanded I be.”Her expression fell, becoming distant.
“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to bring him up.I hoped this could be a Victor-free weekend.”
“I didn’t take you for an idealist,” she teased, glancing my way.
“What do you mean?”
