Page 65 of Dark Angel

She pulls on a dressing gown to cover herself up. “Nobody can know that you stayed for the night.”

“I’m aware of that,” Lewis grumbles, “however, it was worth it.”

Valarie looks at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

It’s an evening she will never forget, but they hardly spoke during or after the actions took place. They seemed to just melt into each other like two water droplets meshing into one and blissfully drifted off to sleep not long after.

“It was. But this isn’t the time to discuss it Lewis, we need to get you out before my family realises you’re still in here with me.”

Lewis stands, taking his shoes and pecking her on the forehead. She knows it’s his way of saying goodbye to her.

Valarie doesn’t want him to leave, wanting nothing more than to have him to stay and hold her forever in his arms. But she doesn’t want to see the disappointed looks on her parent’s faces if they catch her in her quarters with him. They’re not even betrothed yet.

He peels himself away, walking towards the window when Valarie lunges over, grabbing a hold of him. “You can’t jump from here. There are rose bushes. You will be covered in thorns.” She warns him.

“What, do you expect me to take the stairs, then?” Valarie shrugs, telling him it is the only non-harmful way to leave. “But what if someone sees me leaving?”

“They won’t. The sun is still rising outside, so they won’t wake for a bit. But that means you have to leave right now.” Valarie pulls him towards the door of her quarters.

Taking a deep breath, as if holding air in his lungs will somehow make him magically invisible to everyone else living under this roof, Lewis turns the knob. Opening the door ever so slightly, he peeks through the gap with one eye.

The hallway is silent and empty. The only audible noise is the ticking of the dark-stained grandfather clock sitting on the staircase landing. He breathes again, pushing open the door and slipping out.

Closing the door as gently as he can, Lewis spins around to see Jordan standing in the open doorway of his quarters. His large arms are crossed in front of his chest. A look of controlled rage covering his youthful face.

Without a word, Jordan storms over, pushing Lewis back through the door and into Valarie’s room. Valarie sucks in a breath when she sees Jordan holding Lewis by the arm, his face red with rage. “What on earth is he doing here, Val?” Jordan growls at her.

Valarie lowers her face to the timber floor with embarrassment. She can’t bring herself to look at him. “I am so sorry.” Is all she can get out, biting back sobs.

“You’re sorry?” Jordan questions her. He lets go of Lewis, stepping closer to his little sister. She looks even smaller and vulnerable with the way she is standing. “Valarie, you just ruined yourself, don’t you realise that?”

A small whimper escapes her lips as tears sting her eyes. She wraps her arms around her midsection as if to comfort herself. She can feel his glare on her without even needing to lift her chin. “I didn’t mean to.”

“You didn’t mean to?” Jordan repeats in a raspy voice. “What? Were you unaware you had a boy in here with you the entire night?”

“I am not aboy,” Lewis says defensively.

Jordan turns to glare at him, his blue eyes piercing bright with resentment. “Well, you’re certainly not a man. A man would wait until he is wedded. A man wouldn’t ruin a girl’s reputation like this.” His voice rising at Lewis, whose mouth slams shut.

Worried he’ll wake their parents, Valarie reaches out, her hand touching his arm. “Jordan, please just calm down.”

“Calm down.” His voice is bitter at her. One thing he despises most in this world is being told what to do, and she knows that more than anyone. “I can’t calm down, Val. You went to bed with Lewis. Aboy,” he looks back at Lewis, exaggerating the word at him, “that you are not even engaged to yet.”

“I know.” Valarie whispers guiltily.

“You will wed her.” Jordan demands, turning his attention back onto Lewis. “You will announce your engagement before the end of the season and begin making wedding plans. And you better pray to the Angels that nobody else finds out about this.”

“I’d wed her even if you didn’t catch us,” Lewis admits.

That makes Valarie almost choke on her own breath.

“Good. Then I won’t have to force you.” Jordan grits out, rubbing the side of his head as if he’s in pain. “You’re my friend, Lewis. I don’t want to hate you right now, but I also can’t forgive you for this.”

“I understand,” Lewis agrees, taking Valarie’s hand in his. “You might think this was a mistake. Some reckless, thoughtless act. But I love her, and I want to be with her.”

A spark of heat rushes through Valarie, and she looks up at Lewis.

Jordan’s jaw ticks as he considers Lewis’ words. “Oh, you’ll be with her, unless you want me to kill you myself right now,” Jordan proposes.

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