AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I smile and reluctantly release her hand. “I did. Alexander McKenzie.”
“My cousin.” She smiles.
“You’re Michael and Charlotte’s sister, right?” I ask, but I already know the answer considering I’d overheard her conversation with her brother.
My heart has ached for years waiting for the same thing that Sirena had sobbed to her brother about. Someone to love me and to give me the family I crave. My bank balance has always gotten in the way of my want.
“That’s me.” Sirena smiles, but it slips and then disappears altogether when the elevator comes to a screeching stop. “Oh God! This isn’t good.”
“Don’t panic,” I glance at her and then to the panel at the side of the door, “please. I’ve got this.” I try to reassure her as I place my briefcase on the floor and grab the emergency phone. “They’ll have us out of here real soon,” I try to calm her, hoping that I’m right.
The minute someone answers I quickly explain our situation. “They’re working on it.” I look at Sirena and notice that she’s rubbing her back and trying to hold her panic inside. “Do you need to sit?”
She looks at me, her anxiety clear in her beautiful eyes.
“I think I better.” She glances at the floor and looks around so I follow her gaze and wonder what she’s looking for because the floor of the elevator isn’t all that bad. I guess we should be thankful for small mercies.
“Sirena, are you doing okay?” I ask and feel my heart constrict when I notice the tears on her face. “Tell me how to help you.”
She bites her lip and looks so forl
orn and embarrassed that I’m tempted to take her into my arms and hold her close. My fists clench to keep them at my side as I await her response.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to get down there.” She caresses her belly, and I understand the problem at once.
“Let me help you.” I smile to put her at ease and wait for her to acknowledge my offer.
Sirena nods and a small smile appears on her face.
Stepping closer, I slip one arm behind her back and take hold of her arm with my other. “Go slow,” I advise.
In slow motion she leans into me and we gradually have her sitting comfortably on the floor. After removing my jacket and tie, I join her and instead of sitting opposite like I should have done, I sit beside her and smile.
“Talk to me, please,” Sirena begs. “I’m not usually claustrophobic but I feel as though I’m going to start panicking soon if I’m not distracted.”
“I’m not much of a talker, but for a beautiful lady, I will make the exception.” I smile, which deepens when I notice the blush she tries to hide by dipping her head.
“Okay then, well—”
She chuckles at my poor attempt to start the conversation. “I’ll go first.” She lets me off the hook. “I’ve been married for thirteen months to a man who doesn’t want our baby or me. I’ve known from the day we were married that I was making a big mistake but I went ahead with it anyway.” She sounds so sad, but I stay silent because I want to hear it all.
“I’m now five months pregnant and later today I will be leaving our apartment and him for good. The sad thing is that I’m not even sure he’ll notice that I’m not there.” She shrugs. “My parents have the perfect marriage and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I want to love and be loved by that one special man, but so far my judgment sucks.” She goes silent and then turns to meet my gaze. “I’m scared, Garrett.”
“Why?” As I ask her that question I realize that I want to take away her fear, no matter the cost.
“I’m scared of this pregnancy even though I’m excited to have a baby. I’m scared of being alone and not having any support from the baby’s father, though I’m not sure I even want it. I’m afraid that another man won’t want me because I will come with the baggage of another man’s child. I’m scared of a lot of things that I never thought I would be.”
Her confession hits something inside of me and I want nothing more than to help her, to make her see that she’s beautiful and will find everything that she craves one day. Ridiculous as it seems I wish with all my heart that I were years younger and able to offer her everything. My life has always been centered on work, and real love has always been missing.
Reaching for her hand, I enclose it within both of mine, wanting to offer her comfort. “Your husband is an idiot to throw away a life with you.” I offer her a small smile.
“Thank you for saying that.”
“I mean every word, Sirena.” I flex my fingers around her hand and turn away before I say more than what we’ll both probably be comfortable with. “My turn.”
She chuckles and moves her hand to intertwine our fingers together. Her touch is so soft that my body floods with arousal, which I close my eyes to try and hide.
Clearing my throat, I admit, “I’m forty-nine, Sirena.” I glance at her and notice a frown cross her smooth brow. As I continue, I wonder whether my age bothers her as much as her young age bothers me, “I’ve never been married, although I’ve come close and had a lucky escape. I haven’t been in a relationship for too many years to count because I’m sick and tired of someone wanting to be with me because of my name as opposed to me as a person. It gets tiring, and although I’m lonely it’s for the best.”
