Page 98 of Pervade London
He scratched his neck as though mulling it over. “Xavier shouldn’t have shared that with you.”
“I kind of guessed.”
“We put ourselves last and the work first. Just as it should be.”
“Do you love him?”
James grabbed his jacket off the back of a chair and for a second I thought he was going to leave. Instead, he brought it over and wrapped it around my shoulders. “Castles are cold, drafty places,” he said softly.
I tugged it around me, grateful for the warmth. Any more pushing for answers on my part could hinder my return to a life I cherished. With an unbearable heaviness crushing my chest, my thoughts fast-forwarded to a future where I’d spend my days alone. “Let me have one more night with him.”
James reached for his glass and took several sips. “Leaving behind the ones we love is the hardest thing we ever do.”
“You loved someone once?” At his look of surprise, I added, “A woman?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to her?”
His eyes darkened and a flash of sadness crossed his expression.
“You put the work before your wife?” I said.
“Who told you I was married?”
It had been the way he’d touched his ring finger. He realized his mistake and shook off a thought.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” I said.
He finished off his drink in one big gulp, and with that he shut down my line of questioning.
I pushed to my feet and approached him. “Let me have one more night with him, James, so we can say goodbye.”
He gave a subtle nod to show he would allow it.
Reaching for the bottle, I refilled his glass this time, the red liquid swirling all the way to the brim. “I want you to be there,” I said. “I want you to see how much we love each other.”
Looming over me, he looked devastatingly handsome. The moonlight poured in through the window, cutting across his chiseled features and illuminating his eyes.
His jaw flexed as he considered my offer. “You don’t want me in the room, Em.”
“Why not?”
“My control bleeds into those around me.”
I suppressed a shudder. “I want you to see what you’re tearing apart.”
James’ focus moved to the doorway. “Xavier, I cracked open the Chateau Margaux. It’s had plenty of time to breathe.”
I turned to see the man who had once been the center of my world. Xavier looked beautiful standing there, his dark golden hair shimmering in the soft light, his eyes reflecting kindness.
‘Thank you,” Xavier said. “Are you both getting along?”
“Yes,” said James.
“No,” I countered.
Xavier grinned. “Yes, you are.” He was holding my Strad in one hand and the bow in the other. “Play for me.”
