Page 45 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

Chapter Thirteen

We sat in silence on our way back to the plane. I checked my phone and saw another message from Sienna, which was a selfie of herself going to sleep. I smiled, thinking she is spending too much time on her phone, but I was glad she checked in. There was another message from Betty saying all was well, everyone was asleep, and she was going to bed too.

I wasn’t aware that I was rubbing my arm till Kristoff took my arm. “Does it hurt?”

“Ah, it will be fine,” I answered.

He examined it. “It is starting to bruise. I am so sorry, Gemma.”

“Don’t worry, Kristoff. It’s not your fault. It will be gone in a few days. Honestly, I’m not made of glass.”

I had much worse,I thought to myself. I glanced down and saw the beginning of bruises forming. It was like deja vu, taking me back to memories of Jack. As if by some unspoken rule, he always left bruises on me where I could hide them. Except on that last night. I shook my head to chase the memories away.

Kristoff put his head down and kissed the purplish-red marks on my arm. “I think you are the strongest woman I have ever met.”

The limo stopped right at that moment, and the next second, we were getting out of the limo and right onto the plane.

As we boarded, I walked towards the middle of the cabin. I eyed the comfortable couch, trying to decide whether it would be proper to take a short nap.

I heard Kristoff’s voice behind me. “Are you going to ask me about my ex-wife?”

I turned around and gazed at him. He looked tense. Placing my hands against his chest, I stepped closer to him.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked gently.

“No… not really,” he answered.

“Then let’s not talk about it,” I concluded with the smile. “I think we had plenty of excitement for one day.”

I turned from him, kicked the shoes off my feet, and unbound my hair, ruining Diane’s hard work. My hair cascaded down my back, easing the headache I could feel coming. I walked to the couch and sat down in the corner, huddled, folding my legs underneath.

Finally feeling comfortable, I glanced up and noted Kristoff staring at me.

“What?” I asked with a mischievous smile. “I think we can relax now… no?”

He actually smiled back and sat on the couch opposite of me. “Yes, I think you deserve to relax after tonight.”

“I think we both do,” I replied, laying my head back against the headrest and closing my eyes. “Did you accomplish what you wanted by coming to the party?” My voice sounded tired, beaten down. It’d been a while since I last felt like this.

“Yes,” he said.

With my eyes still closed, I mumbled, “Good.”

“Gemma,” The tone of Kristoff’s voice prompted me to open my eyes. I look at him in question. “We should probably talk about what happened tonight.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t want to ask questions or to answer any. So I remained silent, waiting for him to say something. When I thought he wasn’t going to say anything, he finally added, “Ask me what you want to know.”

“Kristoff, “ I started in a low voice. “You are my boss. You don’t owe anyone an explanation… least of all me.”

“You were hurt because of me tonight. So I do owe you an explanation.”

He looked tired too. His eyes were on me, watching my every move… like he couldn't read me and was trying to figure me out. I took a deep breath.

“Ok, one question.” His eyes were intently on me. “What’s up with the kinky stuff your ex-wife mentioned?”

His baritone laugh filled the cabin, and it actually made me smile.

“Of all the questions, Gemma, that’s the first one that comes to mind?”

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