“Relax. No one still thought that trip was happening with everything that’s going on.”
“Elle.”
My eyes widen with fear as I look at Meela, refusing, for a moment, to turn and look at him.
“Elle,” he says again when he finally reaches me, sounding relieved.
“Hi,” I say at last as I turn to look at his handsome face. My eyes flutter shut in embarrassment. After the night we had, I’m greeting him like a mere acquaintance. And that makes me remember—I’m disappointed with him.
I cross my arms.
He hesitates at my sudden change in demeanor. “Can we talk?”
“Yes.”
He eyes Meela behind me. “Alone?”
“She can stay,” I reply stubbornly.
“No, I’d really rather not,” Meela adds. She walks past me, turning to wave at me from the edge of the garden before she disappears.
I flick my gaze back to Adrian. “What did you need to talk about, Sir Greenwood?” He flinches, his gaze dropping to my crossed arms, then back up again.
“Okay. You’re upset with me.”
“Yes. Very good.”
“Why?”
“Seriously?”
Now he crosses his biceps, his broad shoulders threatening to burst from his dark green shirt. “Is it because your dad sent me to check on you?”
“Yes. Obviously. Would last night have even… happened? Were you even going to check on me if you hadn’t been ordered to do so by him?”
“Elle, I wanted to check on you regardless. As soon as I heard. Your dad ordering me to go was just a bonus. An excuse to get out of there with his permission and go to you.”
I hesitate, distracted by his full lips and the way his green eyes with those dark lashes are pleading with me. “Are you sure?” I whisper.
He uncrosses his arms and reaches out a hand to grab mine. I let him. “Elle. While it was hard seeing you so upset last night, I wouldn’t…”
“What?”
“I wouldn’t take it back for anything. I’ve wanted you like that for a long, long time, and I don’t care how I finally got it, to be honest. I’m simply glad I did. And now that I’ve had a taste, I only crave more.”
I blush and glance down, remembering how exposed I was to him last night. Mentally and physically. I laid myself out there for him. I’m not used todoing that with anyone. Today, I’m not sure how I’m feeling about it. I wouldn’t say it’s regret, but I was desperate to feel something… and he was there.
And I can’t forget the hollowness I felt when I woke up.
His thumb brushes my cheek, then he tilts my chin up gently. I gaze up into his eyes, and he leans in slowly. My heart races and time freezes until his lips finally meet mine. It’s not a hungry, fervent kiss like last night, but a short, delicate one instead.
It seems like he’s always very gentle with me. I wonder if he views me like one of the dainty flowers he so beautifully crafts.
“Did you… stay?”
His jaw ticks, and he takes a deep breath before holding my gaze. “No,” he answers softly.
Something flips in my stomach, and I nod my head at the admission. I glance down at the perfectly lined stone path, courtesy of the terramancer elves.
