Page 100 of Crimson Promises
Her posture was all poise and grace, but the angry thrum thrum thrum of her heart proved otherwise.
Aurora headed toward the washroom until she was out of Riley’s eyesight. Then she stomped directly to where I was standing. Aurora shoved me into a corner, then looked behind her in both directions to ensure nobody was around.
If someone saw her now, they would think she was talking to thin air. Unless they had The Sight.
I gave her a half smile and walked towards her, spinning her around until she was the one flush against the corner alcove. Out of sight. “Babe, if you wanted to get me alone, all you had to do was ask.”
She reached up to rub her temples. “What are you doing here, Bennett? I told you I needed space.”
“Nice to know your idea of space is a date with Riley. Guess I was just someone you were using to pass the time with,” I sneered. My jealousy was a heady monster once awakened, demanding nothing but revenge.
“What I do with my time and who I do it with are frankly none of your concern, Bennett.”
“Yeah, Aurora, it is.”
“No, Bennett. It’s not anymore.” Her cheeks were tinted pink, and her palms were flush against the concrete wall behind her. I could hear her nails scraping at the burnt red speckled walls behind her.
I raised my arms to cage her on both sides. She kept using my full name instead of Ben, and each time she said it, it was an invisible blow. “You know things aren’t over, Aurora.”
“Let me go.”
“No. Not until you answer. How much more time do you need?”
She rolled her eyes right at me. “When I feel like I’m ready. For your information, crashing my date, as you so kindly put it, is not winning you any favors.”
“You picked a real winner.”
“As opposed to the person I have in front of me.” She gestured the length of my entire body.
I brought my face closer to hers. “I think you’re trying to distract yourself from?—“
“From what?”
“This.”
I crashed my lips to hers. Nothing about the kiss was sweet or romantic. Tongues lashing, hair pulling. Aurora snaked her hands under my henley and dug her nails into my back. We poured our anger, frustration, and irritation into the kiss. It was an outlet for everything both of us had been dealing with. All at once, she tasted like my damnation and salvation.
Aurora tore her mouth from mine, her fingers tracing her swollen lips, her hair askew, and pushed me back. “I can’t do this right now, Ben.”
I softened at the use of her name for me. “Of course, I didn’t mean… You know I still have a job to do regardless of giving you space. I’m trying to keep as much distance as possible.”
She rested her head against the wall. “I know. I do know. I still need more time, though. I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything in response. Instead, I stepped aside to allow Aurora to pass.
This time, she did go to the washroom. Watching her walk back to Riley was a sort of torture I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
My obligation was to stick around for the rest of her date and make sure she got home safely. It’s what my deal with Michael consisted of. I couldn’t find that willpower today. She chose to walk away, so I was too.
The bond grew taut as the distance between us grew. I wonder if she felt the tightness wrap around her abdomen like it did to mine. Did she even care anymore? After that kiss, I wouldn’t have been able to pull away from her.
I guessed I never realized how much I was hoping for a different outcome until now.
* * *
Dawn crept through the blinds of Aurora’s loft. The sheets were jumbled around her. She had been thrashing again in her sleep last night. Her eyelids fluttered open briefly. She uttered the word “mom” and quickly fell back asleep. Aurora would get up soon, and I didn’t want her to realize I was there.
Slowly, I eased myself into the washroom and let myself out through the window, ensuring I put a glamor on me beforehand. It was risky flying like this in the open city, but my wings ached to stretch out. It felt like ages since I could extend my wings and fly. Nights used to be when I knew Aurora was safe and sound in her bed. With the increasing severity of her nightmares, it was my duty to remain at her bedside.
