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“Is this because of your dream last night?”
I snap my mouth shut, then nod subtly.
“Esme,” he exhales, angling toward me. “I’ve been where you are. Been through something that completely flipped the balance of my life. For months, I was forced to relive…certain events nightly. And like you, the dreams twisted reality to the point that I wasn’t sure what was real and what was simply my imagination playing tricks on me. That’s all this is.Yourmind playing tricks on you.” He brings his hands to my face, forcing my eyes to his.
“In the past decade, you’ve almost died twice. If you ask me, that’s two times too many. Still, your subconscious has linked those two traumatic events together when, in reality, they’re two isolated events. As much as I try not to think about it, you’re an extremely high-profile target. As is your brother. While we try to do everything in our power to dispense with any and all threats to your safety before it becomes a reality, I failed you yesterday.”
“You didn’t fail me, Creed.”
“Yes, I did,” he interjects gruffly, determination in his voice. The intensity in his eyes causes a chill to rush down my spine. “I’d never be able to live with myself if I lost you.” He briefly closes his eyes and shakes his head, as if to ward off the regret flooding his features. “If he were a hair faster on that trigger, he…” His voice catches, emotion clogging his throat.
“But he wasn’t.” I lean in and the warmth of his breath wafts over my mouth, giving me a taste of the sweet mixture of coffee and sugar. I should retreat, rebuild that wall between us once more.
I don’t think I can. Not anymore. Not after yesterday. And last night.
I need Creed in my life. Need to feel safe when I fear I never will again.
Creed’s the only person who’s ever made me feel that way.
“You made sure of that,” I continue. “You kept me safe.”
“I’ll always keep you safe, Esme,” he murmurs. “Always.” He moves closer until there’s barely any space between us.
Fire heats my veins, anticipation coiling inside me as I brace myself to feel his lips again. To lose myself in everything he’s always been to me.
The seconds tick by, neither one of us making a move to cross the last whisper separating us. Our breathing increases, my quickening pulse thundering in my ears. His grip on my face tightens, and I whimper as his mouth skims mine, igniting the flames that have lain dormant for the past decade.
Until a loud chiming cuts through the room, shattering the moment and ripping us back to reality.
Creed drops his hold on me and jumps to his feet, pulling his mobile from the inside pocket of his jacket. He winces, the quick motion causing some discomfort.
“I have to take this,” he says after glancing at his screen, voice lacking any warmth.
I tighten my lips into a forced smile. “Of course.”
With purposeful movements, he strides toward the door and opens it.
Before he slips into the hallway, he pauses, eyes meeting mine. I search his expression for even a hint of the desire that flooded his gaze mere moments ago.
But it’s gone, making me wonder if I imagined that, too.
“Wheels up is scheduled for ten, so we’ll be leaving here in about an hour,” he clips out.
“I’ll be ready.”
He nods curtly, then disappears into the hallway.
The second the door closes, I fall against the couch, exhaling deeply.
I shouldn’t be upset the phone rang. If anything, I should be grateful, considering we were both about to do something we shouldn’t.
Something I’d soon regret.
I have a boyfriend, for crying out loud.
Granted, I haven’t heard from Tristan since the other night. I texted him yesterday but didn’t go into any details. Just let him know I was okay and to call when he has a chance so I can fill him in on what happened.
But he never called.
