Page 69 of The Desire

I don’t know where I’m storming to, but as long as it’s away from him, that’s all that matters.

And as I reach the small kitchen downstairs, my brain is now back onto the terrifying thought of how I’m going to get through this. Do I have enough makeup to cover what has to be the hickey of all hickeys?

If I had to give it a score, it would be a ten out of ten.

Point made, Remington!

Chapter Fifteen

REMINGTON

Okay, maybe not my smartest move. It was in the heat of the moment, and I was feeling possessive.

Pulling a pair of black jeans on and grabbing a button-up shirt, I head downstairs to find El who is totally pissed at me, and I need to fix that.

Not the way I wanted this morning to go, but here we are, and instead of the cool, calm talk we needed to have, in its place there is about to be an argument, and I need to defuse that quickly. And the only way to do that is to apologize, even if I don’t regret it one bit.

I can hear her in the kitchen, and it’s not like she is being quiet, trying to hide. The banging of things onto the kitchen counter tells me that although she is pissed, she’s still hungry. I can work with that.

Walking in while she has a big kitchen knife in her hand is probably not the safest, but I continue with my hands in the air, surrendering.

“I’m sorry, El. I don’t want you to be upset.” I stand just out of knife reach but close enough that I can almost touch her.

“Upset?! What the fuck, Rem! How am I going to explain this to Tori? You know nothing gets past her, and she’s like a dog with a bone if she thinks something is going on. She will keep at me until I crack.” Her anger subsides, and the fear is starting to make her voice tremble a little.

Stepping closer, I take the knife from her hand which she never meant to use as a weapon, it was just in the air while she talks with her hands. With it now on the counter, I pull her into my arms which at first, she resists, but it doesn’t last long, the moment I start whispering into her ear how sorry I am and asking what I can do to make it up to her. I know money doesn’t fix everything, but if I need to go and buy the whole of Harrods out of every bottle of cover-up she needs to conceal it and twenty different scarves, then I’ll do it. Not that I want to hide it. The possessive man inside me did it for a reason, but I know when I have to back down too.

“It’s not supposed to be like this.” Her little voice is muffled in my chest and sounds like she is on the verge of tears.

Releasing her from my hold, I pick her up and place her on the kitchen counter, pushing her legs apart and stepping in between them, taking her face in my hands.

“Like what, baby?” I ask, trying to keep her from falling over the edge.

“A mess. When you fall for someone, it’s supposed to be all sunshine, hearts, and roses, not fear, secrets, and hickeys.” The moment her brain catches up with what she just said, I can see the embarrassment as her cheeks start flushing.

“Who are you falling for, El?” I tease, trying to lighten the moment, when on the inside I’m puffing my chest out in victory.

“Not a vampire, that’s for sure.” She playfully slaps my chest. It’s not much, but there is a small hint of a smile on her face.

“That’s a shame, because I read that they are good with their mouths, very talented in sucking and the use of their tongue too.” I lean toward her with a quick peck on her lips and look back into her eyes.

“You’re an idiot, you know that, right?”

“So I’ve been told. Now let’s talk and clear up a few things.” She nods, signaling she’s listening.

“Firstly, just so we are clear, I’m falling for you too, and I’m done waiting.” I want to tell her the truth, that falling is the wrong word. I fell a long time ago, but she is already unsteady, and I don’t want to frighten her. But instead, what I said brings back that calming smile I made disappear earlier.

“Secondly, I don’t care how we do this, but I want to be with you. It’s torture having you so close, yet I can’t touch you.”

“But what about Tori and Flynn, and God, I don’t want to confuse Blaise.” The mention of my son as one of her greatest concerns just makes me more attracted to her.

“I know, baby, but more importantly, what about you, what do you want? Be honest with me and more importantly yourself.” Her words that I overheard yesterday in her moment of panic downstairs in the sitting room come back to me now. She feels like she always puts everyone’s happiness before her own.

Her hesitation is evident, but I don’t want to rush her.

But the way she sits up taller with her shoulders pulling back slightly sets my body on fire. She’s ready to stand up and take what she wants.

“You, I want to be with you.” Her voice is strong and solid, with determination that she is going to get what she wants.

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