Page 33 of Darling Wildfire
But the problem was, with that consuming you, it was easy to lose yourself. By the time it was over, there was no telling who you’d be when the dust settled. And that was what I was worried about: who would he be when this was over? And would there be anyone left to care?
14
THERON
It was the night of Kaelin’s art show.
I’d gotten held up at work so I was meeting Kaelin and Graham at the gallery. Nyx and Atlas would be there too—Kaelin had invited everyone actually—even Viktor and Kon, but I needed them to watch Kaelin’s house. She’d seemed a little annoyed when I’d told her as much but had simply pursed her lips and decided not to push things.
It was a black tie event and as I stepped through the doors into the crowd milling about the artwork, I was transported back to the gala where I’d first laid eyes on Kaelin after months of not knowing if she was alive or not.
I stood across the room, my eyes automatically finding her in the crowd. Even if she hadn’t been wearing a red dress, I would have been able to find her, that’s how much she dragged me into her orbit. The dress hugged her like a second skin and I let my eyes drift over her hungrily as I sipped my whiskey.
There was a slight tremor in her hands and a tightness around her mouth whenever she spoke to someone, but otherwise she seemed to be in her element here. Or she was hiding things well, which I’d seen her do first hand and the more I watched her the more I was convinced something bad had happened in the Warren after I’d left. She was too jumpy—her confidence a thin barrier when before it had been a force to be reckoned with.
Still, she was stunning and I wanted nothing more than to grab her and take her out of here. But I had somewhere else to be. I’d only come over here to sneak a look at her quickly to satisfy the ache that had settled in my chest ever since I found out she was alive. I had no intention of letting her see me—yet—but it was as though she was drawn to me in the same way as I was to her because suddenly her eyes clashed with mine.
It was like a direct hit to my senses.
We both stood frozen and her eyes widened as a myriad of emotions flashedthrough them—shock, disbelief, wariness…was that excitement?
Then her glass slipped through her fingers and shattered the moment. As soon as her eyes left mine, my breath rushed back to me and a rumble of irritation ran through me. I threw back my remaining whiskey and walked out before I did something I didn’t have time for—like go up to her.
Then I’d never leave because this time, once I had her in my arms, I wasn’t going to let her go again.
Tonight she was wearing a silver dress that shimmered and fell from her curves like liquid quicksilver. Again, my eyes immediately settled on her. She was laughing at something someone said and I marveled at the contrast between this event and the gala—she looked vibrant tonight.
Confident, proud…happy.
Just like the gala, she seemed to feel me watching her and her eyes swept the room to land on me. This time, instead of shock, her gaze sharpened into that calculating self assurance I loved to see on her. Her lips pulled into a slow seductive smile and as I walked over to her, she slowly took me in from head to toe, no longer paying attention to anyone around her. I stepped to her side and my arm snaked around her, pulling her into me.
“Hello darlin’,” I said quietly.
My other hand took her chin gently but firmly between my fingers and planted a lingering kiss on her lips, full of possession as I claimed her in front of everyone. This time, I wanted the world to know she was mine. She kissed me back, her fingers lightly grazing my jaw in affection.
“You look incredible,” she said.
“So do you,” I said. “Now where’s this artwork of yours?”
She took my hand in hers and led me over to where one half of the room was dedicated to her paintings. Kaelin stopped in a spot where I could see her entire work on display and I realized they told a story as you progressed through the series. Most of them were massive pieces, elegantly lit to create more drama. They started out dark, morbid even, with intense storms of dark colors. That part of the room seemed more shadowed, like her paintings were absorbing all the light in the space. Gradually things lightened until the other end of the room was bright, full of redemption, courage and victory.
“Darlin’ this is—” I shook my head, running my attention over the entire thing again. I turned to her and whatever she saw on my face made her breath catch and I watched the hopeful apprehension fade into pride. “I’m soproud of you.”
It was like the words made her light up from the inside out and a smile appeared on her face and stayed there. Before she could say anything, Atlas walked up with Nyx in tow.
“Kaelin, you are incredibly talented,” Atlas said. “I’ve been to a lot of gallery showings and I’ve never seen something quite like this.”
“You should be proud of yourself,” Nyx added, kissing her on the cheek.
“Thanks guys,” she said, an adorable blush tinting her cheeks pink.
“Come on, I want to look at this side again,” Atlas said, nudging Nyx before he walked off to get a closer look at one of the paintings.
Nyx winked at Kaelin. “He’s like a kid in a candy store—he won’t stand still. He’s loving being around all this art again—thanks for inviting us.”
“It never crossed my mind not to,” Kaelin grinned, giving Nyx’s arm a squeeze.
I watched Nyx walk up to Atlas and put an arm around his waist. A burst of pride swept through me. All of us had come so far to be here like this. They deserved a night to relax and be happy even though I knew it wouldn’t last. We still had a lot to do before this was over.
