Page 25 of Unleash You

I added anger to the list of emotions swirling inside my chest, blocking the air to my lungs. Wesley closed the space between us, his fingers gently brushing my elbow. He regarded me as if I were some wounded animal. I bit my lip and slapped him across the face, and then twice more.

“I deserve that.” He braced has hands on the piano board, caging me in. “I swear I never meant to hurt you or make fun. I consider you a friend. I get that to you I’m practically a stranger.”

“A friend? Then why did you...” I couldn’t say that word to Wesley. The man I’d had a crush on ever since I could remember. What the hell was this? I had fantasized about touching his hair, his lips, his chest. Now that he was here inches from me, I had no worldly idea what to do.

“Why did I kiss you?” His warm breath brushed my cheek. “Because I didn’t know what else to do. Because your voice is in my head. Because I miss you and your letters.”

Dear Anabelle,

I forgot what a brat you could be. I wish I could’ve been there when you told that guy off. No, actually, I’m glad I wasn’t. I would’ve kicked his ass. And I would’ve missed out on your retelling of it. LOL...I’m still tearing up over here. Anyway, don’t forget your studies. And give ’em hell. Nothing different to report over here this week, another raid on our camp and more lost lives. So yeah, I needed that laugh.

Love,

C

No, this was too impossible. In all the time, I lived in Fox’s Bank not once did Wesley look my way.

I shook my head to clear my mind and chase away Wesley’s warmth hovering over my bare shoulders, his scent tugging at something between my legs, and the image that had already buried itself in my brain, a very real scene of him kissing me everywhere. What would he do if I let my guard down, if he delivered on the promises hidden in his hazel eyes?

Omigod, my body was about to combust. What would I do if he touched me again? A wicked smile pulled at his lips, and I finally found the strength, if not a reason, to push him away. He’d always known about my feelings for him. Just my luck, to get what I wanted and not be able to take it.

“This is just you trying to control me. Your time is up. You asked me to give you three weeks to find my brother. It’s been longer than that. So now you’re doing this to stop me from going after Charlie, and mess with my feelings. This is a low blow. Even for you.”

“What? Are you kidding me?” He didn’t budge, but he did drop his arms to his side.

I used the opportunity to get away from him. With several feet of space between us, I could finally think again. “You never liked me before. Now I’m meddling with your so-called mission, and suddenly you want me? Screw you.”

“Jesus, Anabelle. That’s not it at all. Please don’t push me away. Fuck.” He practically growled the word. “This was not how I wanted to tell you, but that guy drooling all over you and Zack...” He took a fistful of his hair, cheeks bright red. When he turned to look at me, his eyes had that same intensity as before, right before he kissed me.

I stood there, heart racing, waiting for him to touch me again. If he tried, I wouldn’t be able to say no. This was Wesley. I’d be lying to myself if I said his words or the way he was looking at me didn’t affect me. All of it did. Even the way he kept slanting glances down my cleavage. A musty draft ran between us. Someone must have opened a door or a window in another part of the house. Whatever it was, it broke the spell he had me under.

I wiped my mouth to erase his kiss, though it would be days before I forgot how soft his lips were, how good he tasted. My body jerked back to reality when his phone rang. He squeezed his eyes shut as he fished the device from the inside pocket of his tuxedo jacket and sent the call away. He glanced at the screen, and his face blanched.

“Fuck me,” he mumbled. “Anabelle, I have to go. Please promise me you won’t do anything crazy until we finish this conversation.”

“I have nothing more to say to you.”

“If I have to fight your marine guy to get you to stay put, I will.” Suddenly, this wasn’t Wesley asking for my understanding, this was someone else. Like Wesley on a mission.

“What? Did Will tell on me? Did you hire them to spy on me? I’m not your prisoner.” I shoved him hard, and he had the decency to stumble backward.

“No, Will and Tullie work for you.” His tone implied that while I could order Will and Tullie to keep my secrets, he still had a bunch of other spies at his disposal.

“Did you have me followed?”

“Yes.”

“You won’t even deny it. What’s wrong with you?”

“I won’t lie to you again. So here’s the truth. It’s dangerous for you to go after your brother yourself. You will stay here.” His device went off again. “Jesus Christ.” He cursed at his screen, typing fast before he turned to me.

“I’ve been on my own for a long while now. I can take care of myself. You’re not my keeper.” Those were empty words. Maybe he wasn’t my babysitter, but he did have control of my money. I wasn’t stupid enough to leave the country without financial backup.

“Don’t leave. If you do, I will find you.”

“Go to hell, Wesley.” I said to the back of his head, sounding like a stupid brat.

I shivered as his steps echoed out in the hallway. The silence that fell after he slammed the kitchen door washed over me like a dark blanket. I was so tired of being alone. What was I supposed to do with the bomb he dumped on me? Did I believe him? I had a hard time with that because if I did believe him, I didn’t think I could forgive him. I felt betrayed and exposed.

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