Page 98 of Severed Heart
Stop this now, Delphine!
“What is the issue?” I ask, my tone betraying my stupor. Stupor and shock that he’s capable of such a look—a look he maintains as he slowly, so slowly takes the offered shirt.
“Will it be expensive to fix?” I ask in a telling squeak. The intensity flowing between us increases substantially as he takes a few heart-rending beats to answer.
“It’s a roof leak,” he emits in a low whisper, exhaling a harsh breath and clearing his eyes before looking back up at the ceiling. “I can’t really get to it until the storm passes, but I can patch up the roof and ceiling once it dries out. We’re lucky the leak will be isolated over the tub until I can get to the repair.”
“Okay, Merci.” I nod at his every word like a fool. “Let me ... get you a clean towel before you put the shirt on,” I offer. “You are soaked. What was I thinking?” I joke to break some of the lingering tension.
“Yes, General,” he drawls, the command in his tone stopping me short from my retreat as his eyes roam from my face to my feet and back up. “Whatwereyou thinking?”
I turn and flee to my bed, pulling a towel from a clean laundry pile. Taking my time to steady my mind and breathe, I make my way back to Tyler, handing the towel over and placing a few others on the floor to soak up some of the water. As I mop up what I can, I reason with myself that I’m only curious after spending so much time with him. We’ve talked of everything in recent months but never broached anything about personal relationships. During those months, I found myself wanting and hoping to change some of his perceptions of me. But it’s not his perception that has me fixated as I lift my eyes to watch him wipe the water from the expanse of muscle along his torso and stomach—swallowing when his eyes catch and hold my lingering stare.Again.
“So much change I see in you,” I rasp out like an utter fool. Desire clear in my voice as his rich brown eyes flare.
“Likewise,” he rasps back, his timbre smooth and full of insinuation, which covers me in goose bumps. “Changes for the better?” he asks, his own eyes taking liberties he has been careful to avoid before today as I give him the truth.
“Very good,you have taken your physical trainingvery seriously, Soldier.”
His lips lift slightly in amusement due to the apparent fool I have become in these tense moments. The amusement disappearing just as quickly as Tyler runs his teeth over his bottom lip, and I follow the movement carefully before he replies.
“That I have, General.” I barely manage to conceal the shiver his tone elicits while willing myself tostopstaring back. Tyler utters something low, and when I’m certain I hear ‘tap dancing’ as part of his whisper, I tense.
How did this become so difficult? It’s beennothing but easybetween us these past months together. Just yesterday, it was easy. Why is there such a difference today? Searching for a way back from this uncomfortable shift in atmosphere between us, a notion comes to me.
“Oh!” I practically shout, startling us both. “I have a graduation present for you!”
He frowns. “I graduated last year, General.”
“No, this is asoldiergraduation present. Come.” I pull at his hand, and he follows me to my nightstand.
“Soldier graduation present?” he asks, brows rising in surprise.
“Oui.” Reaching into my drawer, I grab my offering and place it in his palm. Staring down at it, he slowly brushes his thumb down the detailed etching carved into the handle as I explain. “This brought much luck to the soldier who owned it, and I want you to have that luck.”
He widens his eyes in surprise. “This belonged to Matis?” Tyler shakes his head gently, his reluctance evident. “General, I can’t take this.” He lifts the pocketknife in his open palm. “I know how much this means to you.”
“It’s the last thing I have of my papa,” I relay, “but remains wasted in my possession. I want it in the hands of someone who will use it. Of someone worthy, and Tyler, you areso very worthy. Please take it,” I urge, closing his fingers around it.
“Okay, I will,” he whispers as the tension builds again, this time in my chest. “This means a lot to me,” he relays softly, his words heartfelt as he pockets the knife, his eyes holding mine. “I’ll keep it safe.”
I nod. “I know you will.”
Eyes lighting, he flashes me a half smile, making his dimple pop. “So, is this the part where the Jedi disappears into the swamp alone, only to come out later kicking ass?”
“Oui,” I sniff as his smile disappears. “Gah, I’m sorry.” I shake my head in embarrassment. “I’ve been fighting these stupid emotions all week and thought I was capable today, but now I feel like imbecile.”
“What? What emotions, what’s wrong, bab—” He swallows when my eyes widen at his near-whispered term of endearment and rephrases his question. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong ... I’m a little melancholy for this admission, but it’s due.” I press a tear away as his gentle eyes follow every movement carefully. I blow out a breath to try and steady myself as he inches closer.
“What? What is it?” he coaxes gently.
“The truth is, I have now taught you everything I know,” I relay with a clear shake in my voice, but press through for the words he deserves. “You have worked so very hard all these months, Tyler. As you know, I do not give commendations lightly, but I am so happy to report you have surpassed my every expectation. Your stamina is close to inhuman. Your mentality is very, very strong. Your confidence is still irritating”—we share a smile—“but now justified byeducation, and you know you have mastered battalion,” I state with a clear grudge and an eye roll.
“Beat you five timesin a row,” he boasts, buffing his nails on his shirt, which earns him my dead stare. “And oh,” he draws out playfully before he begins to tickle my sides, “how youhate thatbecause you definitely didn’t let me win.”
“Stop tickling me, asshole.” I jump out of his reach, my scorn playful.
