“Promise?” Her hand covered mine on her face, her body trembling.
“I promise.” I dropped my hand and kissed her brow, willing my body to stay its course of her guardian, nothing more. “I told you before. You’re free to do and be anything you want. Free to ask for what your heart desires. Name it, and it’s yours.”
“Take me to the ball. You said I’m safe, and I can have anything I want,” she rushed on, her thick lashes fluttering downward to hide her eyes from me.
Touching her jaw, I slid my thumb over the shape of her mouth as she parted her lips. The insane impulse to dip my head and lick the length of the plump flesh caught me off guard, forcing a harsh exhale. As though she read the desire in my eyes, she released a barely audible moan, flicking her tongue out, the tip grazing the pad of my thumb.
I hissed in a slow breath, startled by the ferocity of need spiraling through my veins. My tightening body at war with my sanity, fighting the urge to guide her backward until her shoulders hit the wall, hook her legs around my waist, and drive my pulsing cock into her. Never had I craved a touch as much as I wanted her hands on every inch of my skin, her warm mouth on my starved erection again.
Skydiving into reality, I needed to control this situation before it became a mess. “You will be a good girl for me, Ella, and do as you’re told. The ball is a no. Understood?”
Her hands moved to the lapels of my jacket, her eyes dropping to follow its slow brush of the soft material. “There’s something else I want then,” she said, her tone shy.
“What’s that?”
She lifted those stunning eyes to meet mine. The sincerity there stole my breath before she voiced the next words. “You to finish what we started before you left.”
“Ella,” her name slewed out on a harsh exhale. “That was wrong. I should’ve never touched you.”
Her smile dropped, leaving in its wake a despair I never wanted to witness on her lovely face, but I had to curtail any ideology she held that we could be more. The promise I made that night, never to let it happen again, sat heavily on my shoulders. She was meant for something bigger and better, a feat I could only guide her toward. Monetary, yes. Affection, yes. Love and intimacy, definitely not.
“That night...” I inhaled on a slow breath. “You and I will never work, love. You’re young, beautiful, and have your whole life ahead of you—”
“But it’s nothing without you,” her voice low, she cut me off with a vigor that surprised me.
Hating my words to come, I clenched my jaw. For her sake, I had to be firm. “This is not up for discussion. Understood?” Adding the firmness, I’d taught her to obey, I narrowed my eyes, demanding her acquiescence.
Taking a step back, she dropped her gaze to the floor. “Yes,” she replied in a sad voice that tugged at my heart before she walked away.
Annoyed with myself, I stopped her without thinking. “Ella.” With her back to me, she paused, keeping her head bowed. “Look at me,” I said, my tone firm.
Slowly, she turned and lifted her eyes to meet mine.
“Christ,” I muttered under my breath, my gaze caught and trapped by two streams glistening down her cheek.
Her first tears.
I’d waited patiently to see them, hoping they’d release her fear, yet I never wanted to be the cause of them. Closing the gap between us, I drew her into my embrace. Immediately, her hands circled my waist, her brow dropping to my chest, her soft sobs filling the silence.
“Ella,” I soothed, caressing her back. “Look at me,” I said softly. Her small hands clutching my waist, she leaned back, her glazed eyes meeting mine. Shaking my head, I rolled my thumbs over her cheeks, catching her tears yet unable to stop the flow. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. However, you must understand that anything between us will be seen as forbidden, inappropriate, or worse, perverted.”
“By who?” Her lips pursed in disappointment; her innocence shone through her wet eyes.
Frankly, she had me there. Because I was a man who didn’t bother about what people thought about my family or me, how we lived our lives or the sins we committed. Only, with this woman, I didn’t want her labeled as anything other than Mikaela—my innocent, simple Cinderella.
I released a long ragged sigh. “Everyone. Those that claim to know us and those who are yet to judge us.”
“You told me to trust you, that you would keep me safe, that I would find love someday.”
Her words speared my heart. “Promises I don’t intend breaking, and Iwillguide you to the perfect love if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Guide me?” Slowly, she shook her head. “How often do you think of me?”
The simple question surprised me. I didn’t think, I just answered. “Every day.”
She stepped back, forcing my hands to drop to my sides. Regrettably, I missed the feeling of her in my arms. “If I’m constantly on your mind, it means I need you.” She lowered her gaze to my chest. “But I’ll respect your choice. Just my guide. Nothing more.”
Fuck. How could this sweet girl read me a riot I had schooled sons, nieces, and nephews in? “By choice alone, you’re stronger than you think.” I slid a finger under her chin, lifting until her eyes met mine again. “You’ve survived so much by sheer will alone. One day, someone will say, be wary of her. She conquered everything that was meant to break her.”
