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Or perhaps it happened so I’d stop being so passive about my life? Because for the past six years I’ve just been floating about.
His voice pulls me out of my meanderings and my eyes lift to his.
“As soon as you were near, I was drawn to you,” he breathes into my ear. “And deny all you want, it was the same for you.”
What would be the point of disagreeing? I don’t lie.
Gualtiero’s thumb lightly strokes my fingers. It’s enough to send goosebumps over my skin, proving just how much he’s affecting me.
We stay silent, eyes locked on each other, before he eventually continues, “Then we talked, and I knew I had to have you. And that first time we kissed…” He pauses, lowering his head toward mine.
His eyes are still holding me enslaved, making my heart beat frantically. My eyes fall to his lips. They’re only a breath away, hovering over mine.
”… the first time we kissed, every cell in my body sang.”
I dare not breathe; the moment too captivating.
“I’ve fallen in love with you, Ella, fast and hard,” he whispers against my skin, and the electric current buzzing between us is as strong as ever.
He loves me.
For some reason, I’m more inclined to believe him this time. Not that I would ever admit it to him. I want to smile but suppress it with difficulty.
“It’s just hormones. They’ll pass,” I whisper back.
“No, Ella,” he says firmly. “This is real. I know you feel it too. Our souls recognize each other. And I won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in our way to be together.”
That sobers me to a degree. I push back, putting some distance between us. It breaks the spell.
“So you think you can just kidnap me and hold me here against my will?” I hug my arms around my body in a protective stance.
“Fate has brought us together, Ella. We’re meant to be. I know it… you know it. I just helped speed up the process.”
“You have no right to manhandle me like you did!” I protest. “Maybe my destiny was to save you, like my soul owed you one or something like that. And now we go our separate ways, but you’re clinging to something you shouldn’t.”
“No, Ella. I know what I know.” The conviction in his voice is scaring me. “I’m accustomed to do things a certain way. You’ll get used to it.”
“God, you’re so chauvinistic. I will get used to it?! I don’t think so.I’maccustomed to being treated with respect. You can’t do this!” I yell, the anger that was subdued by his declaration of love bubbling to the surface again.
“I did though, and I would do it again,” he speaks calmly, not in the least ruffled.
This infuriates me even more, and I have to take a deep breath to calm myself.
“You love me too, princess. I saw it in your eyes many times.”
“That wasn’t love…” I sputter. “That was… I don’t know what it was… But it wasn’t love.”
So much for not lying. But he sure as hell will never hear those words from me. I’m angry with myself for ever feeling them in the first place.
“Right now, I really, really hate you!” I say, sounding defeated even to myself.
“That’s okay, princess. You’re upset with me,I get that. But you’ll get over it. We’ll get back to where we were.”
He smiles down at me and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead.
“Gualtiero, you say you love me. Then please,pleaselet me go,” I plead.
His stare is burning holes into me. “I can’t, princess. You belong by my side. Besides, it really wouldn’t be safe for you to return to Ireland.”
