Page 45 of Always Right

My gaze lingered on the fading bruise of her cheek, and she brushed her hair back, a hint of nervousness in her expression.

“They don’t hurt anymore,” she whispered. “But I’m scared of closing the gallery by myself now, and I didn’t used to be.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets because it was the only way I had of fighting the need to hold her. “Well for now I think it’s best,” I replied. “At least until that son of a bitch is apprehended.”

She didn’t say anything, but Hannah didn’t move. It almost seemed like she didn’t want to leave and with every passing second, I found it harder to keep my distance.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

Not a question.

A simple statement.

One that lingered in the air full of heartache.

“I have.”

“Is it because of what I said?”

“It is.”

Hannah let out a shaky breath as she looked up at the night sky. She wasn’t running from me, but now I didn’t know what the hell she needed.

I didn’t think she did either.

“We have to be civil,” she finally said, glancing back at me. That mask she used to try to keep me at bay was fragile. She was barely holding it up. In fact, I could see it crumbling with every word she said. It had been that way for the last few days…like the sight of my avoidance made it weak. “But I don’t want you to avoid me. I don’t want you to treat me like we don’t know each other. Like nothing happened between us…”

Ah…there it was.

That wall was crumbling.

I could feel it.

The way to her heart was a sense of finality.

“How would you like me to treat you?” I asked, taking a step toward her. There was no where for her to go and for once, she didn’t look like she was looking for an exit.

Her lips parted, a flash of desire lighting up her honey eyes. “I’m not sure.”

I smiled. Couldn’t help it. I had her right where I wanted. “Well, then…I’ll be here when you know.”

If Hannah expected more, she didn’t say it. A flicker of disappointment coated her features but all she did was nod. I opened the door to her car, watched her get in and then leave.

She was caving, and I would enjoy every minute when she finally did.

Chapter 16

Hannah

I hardly recognized the reflection in the mirror. The woman in front of me looked different…and it wasn’t that I was dressed up, the red, satin gown clinging to my body like a glove, complimenting every curve that was left behind after having my daughters. It wasn’t the subtle make up or the necklace that rested right over my heart.

It was my eyes.

Something had changed.

The apprehension that had been there the last week was completely gone, replaced by something I hadn’t seen or felt in a long time.

Excitement.

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