Page 42 of White Wings of Desire

I keep my focus on the road ahead. It is already night, and the only lights that brighten the highway are the street lamps, headlights, and taillights of the cars. I take my right hand off the steering wheel and slip it through the slit of her dress, squeezing her thigh "Dove, relax."

"It's only been a year, but I'm nervous," she says and puts her hand on mine, picking at one of my more prominent scars at the back of my hand. It's a little habit she's picked up over the weeks. Instead of picking at her cuticles like many people do when they feel uncomfortable, she is drawn to my scars. I let her. It doesn't bother me at all. On the contrary, she touches me of her own accord, and I take it. If I can be the one to comfort her in such a simple way, I'm happy to do it.

"I'm with you. Everything will go as planned," I say, hoping to sound reassuring. I push my fingers between her legs, caressing the smooth skin of her inner thighs. "Do you trust me?"

She remains silent and squeezes my hand between her legs. "I don't know," she finally says.

I sigh. "Have I done anything in the last month to make you think you can't trust me?"

"Kept me hostage?"

"Do you really want to argue about that? Now of all times?"

"I don't want to argue, but it's a fact."

"You’ve been enjoying our time together a little too much for holding this against me now." She remains silent. She knows I'm right. I'm not stupid. I've noticed all the little changes in the last few weeks, the way she looks at me with affection instead of hatred. She laughs at my jokes, even though I’m not one bit funny. She scoots closer at night, hugging me, thinking I’m already asleep. She initiates not only conversations now, but also physical intimacy.

"That has nothing to do with it." She breaks the silence and protests. "Yes, I have come to enjoy the time we spend together, but that doesn't change the fact that you kidnapped me and are holding me hostage."

"I didn't kidnap you. You got into my car of your own free will."

"I–" She starts her sentence, but stops herself.

"Are we having this argument because you really don't trust me or because you want to distract yourself from your anxiety about what's to come? You know why I didn't let you go. If I had, you would be dead by now, and I don’t want that. So, let’s try again, and I’ll rephrase my question. Have I done anything to make you think you can’t trust me since I brought you into my home?"

"No. You treat me with kindness and with respect."

"That's what I wanted to hear." I give her thigh another soft squeeze. "Now, do you trust me?"

"I do," she says, and I turn my hand and intertwine my fingers with hers, bringing her hand to my mouth and planting a soft kiss against the thin skin.

"Good. I promise you nothing will happen to you. You will be safe at all times tonight. You are mine, and I will never let anyone hurt you, except for me."

"You would never hurt me," she says with a quiet chuckle, guiding my hand back to her lap.

She’s right, I would never do anything to seriously hurt her. I will be damned if I do. I would never be able to forgive myself if I dared to break her in any way that would cause any lasting effects.

"Not without your consent, at least." I flash her a grin, and even through her makeup, I can see the subtle color spreading across her cheeks.

"You are insufferable." She rolls her eyes and gives my arm a nudge.

"Yet you enjoy my company."

"I do," she says, looking down at her lap.

I squeeze her hand tight and take my eyes off the road the moment we stop at a red light. I turn to face her, cup her chin with my free hand, and pull her over the center console to kiss her. A soft moan escapes her throat, and a smile spreads across my face.

She will be the death of me one day.

But not tonight.

Chapter 32

Evelyn

I cling to Noah's arm, his biceps squeezed against my chest for support, as we walk through the crowded lobby of the hotel where Mr. Williams is hosting the party. My heart is pounding in my chest.

Thump.

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