His sigh was profound. “I won’t lie to you, Gwen. I do think you’re still too young for me. But I can be a selfish man with my wants. So, no, I don’t want you to walk away. But if you’re not ready for me yet, are adamant that you can’t handle me right now, I can wait.”
I was certain my face gave way to my surprise. “Why would you wait for me? We don’t know each other well enough to wait around for the other’s bullshit to settle.”
“I am nothing but patient.”
I gazed into his eyes that were the same color as mine. “You didn’t really answer my question.”
His ice blue eyes narrowed. “All right. I like you.”
I propped my chin up on my fist, copying his posturing and really contemplating his words. I glanced at the added security at the top of his ceiling, the steel walls still up because of the early hour.
Eventually, I peered back down to his gaze. “You don’t like many people, do you? You don’t let many people close. You’re a very private man.”
“I don’t feel the need to shove my life in other people’s faces, no. I enjoy my privacy when I can achieve it.”
I nodded slowly. “And you actually likeme.”
He sighed again, long and suffering. “I do.”
My lips twitched. “I’m like knotted ivy. I just stick to you no matter how much you try to shake me off. Don’t fret about it too much, my lord. You aren’t the first person to find your affection for me annoying.”
Bel chuckled deep, the sound of his voice pleasing to my ears. “I’d say you’re a might more attractive than knotted ivy, but I understand your meaning.”
I probably preened a little. “Well, we do look a lot alike, so keep giving me compliments. It’ll boost your own ego too.”
He laughed outright, his head tipping back and his happiness filling his bedchambers.
I grinned. It was small. But it was there.
I liked making him laugh.
Bel settled down, his eyes still sparkling with warmth. “Are you going to try again?”
My smirk was sheepish—and, possibly, a little shy. A trait I never would have associated with myself. “I don’t want to end our relationship. I agree that you’re an honorable man. You’ve proven that throughout history and to me so far.” My smile slowly died. “And I now realize I have a few hang-ups. I’m letting my past relationships affect what could be something special.”
Blue eyes held mine, his words whisper soft. “I know. And I’ll try to take that into account and help you.”
That was enough of the sappy shit for now.
My heart was swelling too much, too fast, for this vampire. I couldn’t fall too easily for him. A man did have to work for my attention, after all.
I teased, “You mean when you’re not an ass?”
With wide lips, he smirked. “Yes, when I’m not an ass.”
We stared at one another for a while longer.
We merely sat in silence and watched each other.
Oddly, it was peaceful.
It seemed he liked looking at me as much as I enjoyed looking at him, neither one of us bothering to break the quiet.
Never had I ever just enjoyed the sight of someone.
It was an entirely new experience for me.
I could sit here for hours and never be bored.
