Page 54 of Sacrifice

As he sits down, he looks me over. "Are you ready to come home?" his voice is sharp; almost a command.

"I don't have a home, remember?" I stroke Espresso's furry back as he purrs in my ear. Watching Vincent, I see the turmoil of emotions cross his face.

"Your home is with me, Aribella. Or have you forgotten?" His fists clench and my body tightens. I wish I could say I didn’t feel any desire with that simple move, but that would be a lie.

"Is that so?" I raise an eyebrow at him as I stand up. "Last time I checked, you weren't speaking to me. Besides, Charlotte has extended her home to me for as long as I wish."

Vincent gets up and my heart stops for a beat. He crowds my space and growls. "Your time with the Powers is over. Whatever things you have, gather them and let's go."

"No," I try to sound convincing, but I'm worried if I push too hard, he might punish me.

His hand comes out and encircles my throat. "Oh," I gasp and flinch. He doesn't though. He brings me closer to him.

"Aribella, I have tried to be patient and understanding of your request, by letting you stay to heal in peace. But it's been two weeks. It's time to come home."

Espresso wiggles out of my arms and lazily walks to the door as if to say let's go. The door opens and Mossimo walks in. My cat jumps into his arms and Mossimo chuckles.

"Mossimo." I smile and move to go to him. He's been healing like I have. I try to remember he had it far worse.

Vincent grips my neck, and I stop in my tracks. Looking up at him, I can see the need and obsession in his eyes. I'm testing him beyond his limit, I think.

"Mossimo, it seems Aribella wants to stay here. Take the cat and..."

I slap him across the face and regret it the second my hand connects with his cheek. But he's not playing this game with me. I've been through enough and I know Mossimo isn't going to hurt Espresso. No, he loves my cat like he is his very own.

"Stop it!" I spit. "I'll come with you, but only because I want to come. Not because you are demanding or forcing me."

Shoving his hand away from my neck, I stomp to the door and Mossimo laughs. Turning the corner, I hear Mossimo telling Vincent that he better step up his game.

Making my way to the living room, I see Ayres holding Charlotte in his lap. Jealousy hits me and I look down. Kronos is standing beside them and Hypnos is rocking the girls in a rocking chair.

"Thank you for letting me stay here with you. It's been wonderful."

Charlotte comes bounding up to me and hugs me tightly. I wince, but only because my back is still healing. "Sorry." She smiles cheekily at me. "You're welcome here any time."

Smiling, I hug her back and thank her again. The guys look at us and smirk. I'm unsure why they look like that, but I don't ask. Vincent slides up next to me and puts his arm around my waist carefully. My breathing is uneven, but I have to trust that he won't do anything to me with them watching.

Mossimo opens the door and walks out, telling everyone goodbye. I almost laugh at the pleasant smile on his face. He's so content with Espresso in his arms. Heck, I'm even jealous of my cat and how lucky he is to have someone want him that's not me.

Vincent and I walk out, not talking, and when we get to the car, I climb in without a fight. This is not how I wanted our reunion to go. I'm upset, because I had hoped Vincent would be... be what? My brain asks. The man has never been soft with me. Why should I expect him to start now?

Buckling my seatbelt, I stare out the window. Why couldn't he have come into the room and swept me up? Telling me how wonderful it is to see me? Sighing, I try to hold the tears back.

"Aribella," Vincent says my name and I turn to him. "These are for you." He hands me a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses.

"Thank you," I whisper as I admire them. "How did you know that yellow roses are my favorite?" Looking at Vincent, I try to let my anger and disappointment go.

He doesn't answer my question. Instead, he smiles at me. "I have a picnic planned." Vincent pushes a hand through my hair and holds me gently. "Do you think you can behave?"

My lower lip trembles as the emotions of happiness are forced away by his words. "Behave...." I gasp out. "Are you joking?" Shaking my head, I clear my throat, pushing the tears down. "I'm not some child that behaves badly."

His eyes turn stone-like, and I gulp. "How can you not see that?" I can hear the plea in my voice and it makes me more upset. "Why..."

Vincent kisses me, stopping my rant. His lips are demanding as he pushes his tongue into my mouth. A moan slips out, and it frustrates me. This man acts as if I haven't been through the most terrifying events of my life,andhe has the audacity to insinuate I'm a child.

Pushing his chest, I dislodge him. "Aribella," he warns me, but I forcefully push the roses to his chest. It doesn't even phase him as he takes them and throws the bouquet to the floor.

"I'm a person Vincent. You can treat me like an adult and..." Vincent takes my face in his hands and rubs his thumbs along my cheeks.

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