When he appeared in the door, I felt my breath catch in the back of my throat at the sight of him. After the intense and emotional morning we shared, I didn’t know what to expect tonight.
Now, as the beautiful melody begins to fill the air while his eyes move over me, I know he has come here to let me go.
He is no less beautiful today than he was the first time I saw him. In fact, he is almost more so, because now I can see and understand the pain that is etched into every line and crease on his face. His stunning green eyes framed by those long brown lashes hold mine as he moves closer. All I can see is the way they looked at me this morning. He was filled with so much pain and sorrow that I wanted to reach out to soothe him, to calm him, and to love him.
“You’re devastating,” he confesses.
I finally let my eyes connect with his, and I can see the longing there, revealing the emotion he wants to give to me, but I can also see that it is forever trapped behind those haunted eyes.
“Thank you. The dress is beautiful.”
I take a breath in and hold it as he reaches out to place his free hand over my heart.
“It’s not the dress, Gemma.”
I can feel my nipples tightening in response to his silent, hungry perusal. I place my palm over his fingers where his touch weighs heavy against my beating heart.
“The story is over,” he mutters, focused on our joined hands.
He lowers his fingers from my cheek. Gripping his wrist, I pull his hand from my heart and bring it to my lips. As I kiss his knuckles, I don’t waver. I let every emotion I am feeling surface until he can see just how much I love him. I can feel the tears gathering in my eyes as he pulls his hand away from me.
Softly and firmly, he says, “Turn around, Gemma.”
Licking my lips, I wonder about what he’s going to do. Undress me? Take me on the floor in this very room, like he did that day weeks ago? I can feel the heat from his body as he steps close behind me. He wraps a large arm around my waist, smoothing his warm palm against my abdomen.
I sigh as his mouth moves to my ear. “‘Méditation’ fromThaïs.”
I try to decipher what he’s saying as his warmth radiates through me, then turn to see him looking at me intently.
“This song used to haunt me every time I heard it. It reminded me of her.”
I follow his gaze to the paintings on display. “The song seems very sad,” I reply softly.
“It used to be…” He pauses. “Until you. Everything is changing, yet it’s still the same…because of you.”
His arm loosens from around my waist, and his warmth leaves me. I look over my shoulder to see him a step away from me. I move to him, but he takes another step back.
Stopping, I tilt my head. “Phillipe?”
His jaw clenches as he glances behind me to the wall. He is staring ather. This time, I’m not upset by it. This time, I know what he’s doing. He’s seeking permission. He’s trying to decide if being with me will somehow betray her, and he’s doing thatbecause he cares. My heart swells right along with the melody as I reach out again. This time, he takes my hand in his.
“Phillipe?” I say, trying to get through to him. I want him to understand.
His eyes come back to me as I pull him forward and place my palm to his cheek.
“It’s okay,” I tell him. “I love her too.”
With that whispered confession, his binds seem to break. He grips my waist and tugs me that final inch closer. The eyes looking down at me are full of anguish and agony as I run my hand across his cheek to his hair. Threading my fingers through the silky strands, I feel a shiver rack his body as his eyes slide closed.
“Phillipe,” I say. “Stay with me. Look at me.”
Something in my words must break through, because those eyes I love open. They focus, and I can’t help myself from saying exactly what I’m feeling.
“I love you.”
He shakes his head, and for the first time since I met him, he looks unsure and defeated.
“Does that scare you?” I ask.
