by Haley Travis
He came over slowly, sitting beside me on the bench, picking up my hands. “If I did anything to hurt you or offend you in any way, I’m so sorry, Eden.”
“I... um. No, that’s not it.”
His deep sigh of relief washed his warm breath over our clasped hands. “Thank god,” he muttered. Then he looked over to Kelly. “Hello,” he said politely, extending one hand. “I’m Eric.”
“Kelly,” she said, shaking his hand while looking completely confused.
She slid over to make more room for him on the bench. I automatically moved over as well, and he slid over to sit close beside me, holding both of my hands again.
“Eden,” he said softly. Then he just stared into my eyes, his thumbs caressing my skin. It was as if we were the only two people in the world.
Kelly got up and went to the bar, muttering, “I’ll just give you two a minute.”
Under any other circumstances, I would have grabbed her hand and told her not to leave me with a strange man. But Eric wasn’t a stranger. He was odd. He was completely fixated on me. He made my stomach feel pink and sparkly. He was definitely the one Nana warned me about. And he just appeared out of nowhere.
“Please,” he said softly. “If there’s another man, break my heart now. Make it clean. It would be a mercy killing.”
I shook my head quickly, my hair falling slightly into my face. “No,” I whispered. “There’s nobody else.”
He raised one hand, tucking back my hair, trailing his fingertips behind my ear. Then slowly down my neck. I had to press my lips together to hold back a whimper. He was so gorgeous that my eyes didn’t know quite where to settle on his face. But those eyes were like magnets, drawing me back again and again.
“Are you leaving the country?” he said gently. “You have an internship in Italy, and you don’t want to start something just before you leave?”
I tried to smile. “I’m so sorry, Eric, I just can’t.”
He finally took his fingers from my neck, holding his thumb near his lips. “She knows that if she doesn’t give me some reason that it’s going to eat away at me forever.” Looking at his hand, he nodded. “I’m sure she knows that. I’m not sure if she knows that she’s the sweetest, most beautiful, most fascinating woman I’ve ever met.”
Giggles bubbled out of me uncontrollably.
“Maybe she’s scared,” he continued, nodding. “Maybe she knows that I’m positively head over heels for her, and it’s a bit overwhelming.” He held his thumb higher as if to listen, then nodded. “Okay, I’ll ask.”
Cocking his head, his eyes locked with mine and I felt like I was falling. “I know we slept together really fast, but that’s not normal for me either. Eden, couldn’t we just go on a few innocent dates? That way you’ll get to know me, and know that I’m a very nice guy.” His grin flashed a bit of his perfect teeth. “I have references.”
My body was pulling forward. I needed to kiss him so badly that my lips were parting. My head was beginning to tilt. I couldn’t let this happen. He was so sweet to me, and it felt like he’d be so good for me in every way. If I kissed him one more time it would all be over. There must be a way to–
“Two reasons,” I squeaked, quickly leaning back just a heartbeat before he kissed me.
His eyes tightened, but he nodded. “Okay. Tell me.”
“Crumpets,” I muttered, looking down at his shoulder. I just couldn’t meet his eyes.
“You can’t date me because of odd British breakfast food?” His chuckle was forced. It was still adorable.
“That’s just my non-cursing,” I nearly whispered.
His hand darted out to run his thumb along my cheekbone, making me shiver. “I’ve heard you curse,” he said softly. “It was the sexiest, most incredible time of my life.”
I tried to lean back further, and he brought his hand back to hold mine again. “I’ll behave. Tell me.” His tone was very slightly demanding, and I hated how arousing that was.
I closed my eyes. I couldn’t confess this while he was looking at me. “I gave a man my heart,” I breathed, feeling him lean in to hear me. “He... hurt me so badly. I can’t–”
“Oh, Eden, I’m so sorry,” he said gently. “If it’s too soon, I’ll wait.”
I could feel myself trembling, but felt I needed to spit out the other part.
“And...” My throat started to close as I felt the tears coming. It was too insane, but maybe he had a right to know. I didn’t want to hurt him, but he was right. Better to make a clean break. He gave my hands a tiny shake of encouragement.
“My Nana sometimes blurts out strange sayings. Sort of like a prophecy or a curse,” I said. “Everything she’s ever said in her whispery tone has come true. Anyone who doesn’t heed her warnings ends up hurt in some way.”
“Okay,” he said. “What does that have to do with me?”
I swallowed hard. “She warned me about you specifically.” Jumping up, I grabbed my purse and slid out the far side of the bench, looking for Kelly. “I have to go.”
Racing for the door, he caught me on the sidewalk, grabbing my wrist, but releasing me instantly. “Please,” he begged. “You have to tell me what she said.”
Looking up at him through a blur of tears, I whispered, “She said, ‘Never get in bed with the devil. He lives for darkness and fire’.”
Kelly appeared in the nick of time, and I grabbed her hand, walking quickly away. She slipped an arm around me, not even asking, knowing that I’d tell her in a while.
Somehow my head turned back to stare at him for another blurry blink. It was the worst thing I could have done.
Eric nearly collapsed against the wall, his eyes filled with such a stunned, horrified expression that I began to really cry. Turning back, Kelly got me into a cab and home, where I could vent the horrors of my ruined potentially perfect relationship.
~ Chapter 10 ~ Eric ~
* Superstitions *
I knew there was no way I could simply tell Eden not to listen to her grandmother. Even though I knew that people didn't just spew out prophecies, and that superstitious thinking was illogical, I couldn't ignore her feelings. It was hard to dismiss some of the illogical things we believed.
She hadn't said why she thought her grandmother's declarations were absolute, so I couldn't try to figure out her line of thinking.
The only thing I knew with absolute certainty was that we belonged together. Admitting that to myself was downright weird.
I knew that somewhere down the road I would want to settle down, get married, and have kids. I wanted a house outside of the city. I wanted a family. A lot of people wanted that just because it's what we had been trained to desire. But I knew in my heart it's what I truly craved.
I didn't want any girl who would be a good mother. I wanted someone who would laugh with me. Someone who would smack my ass when I was in her way in the kitchen. I needed someone with sass, who wasn't afraid to throw it back at me.
I needed a sweet, pretty girl who never said a bad word unless she was in the throes of passion.
I needed Eden.
It wasn't just the nearly insane level of lust I felt for her. I adored her voice. I liked the way she looked at things as if she were analyzing them. I liked that she seemed a bit particular and fussy about a few things. She had a mind of her own. She wasn't trying to please me with every step.
To process all of this, I knew I was going to have to do something serious. Something that was probably unexpected, but she had to know that it would be coming someday. I’m sure Eden knew on some level that there was no way I could just let her go.
Friday evening, I called my sister and invited her over. Angie seemed a bit surprised, and arrived right away.
We always had a great relationship in life and business, but emotionally we had sort of been at arm’s length most of our lives.
Angie was only a year and a half younger than I, so we fought like cats and dogs through our teenage years. But once we hit our twen
ties and realized after university that we had the same goals, we’d become a solid team.
My sister was a financial wizard, and I trusted her completely. Building a company with her wasn't exactly easy, but it was steady. She always had my back. Plus, she had the added bonus of stealth.
It was disgusting that a lot of men in the business and construction worlds assumed that the woman in the black suit dress was some sort of assistant or intern. She heard everything, then used it to her advantage.
Watching men expect her to fetch coffee, then have her stand up to lead the meeting was brilliant. They were completely disarmed, and it usually dropped their poker faces.
Angie used it to her advantage every chance she got, and I often helped her. It was their own fault if they made any assumptions about her. It was often all I could do to stop from laughing in their faces.
As soon as Angie arrived, I led her to the couch. "Whiskey or tea?" I asked.
She flashed her usual smirk. Angie looked a bit plain from afar, with her dark hair skimmed back into a tight ponytail, and her classic but understated features. Then her eyes blazed, and she looked absolutely ferocious.
"I don't know what kind of conversation this is, so you pick."
Fussing around for a moment, I set two glasses with ice in front of us, and poured a generous shot and a half of smooth rye.
Holding up her glass, she said, "To us making sense of whatever has you so freaked out."
I nodded, as we drank. Setting down the glass, I got straight to the point. "I accidentally met the girl of my dreams. Her grandmother apparently says prophetic things, and warned her against getting into bed with the devil. She found out what my real name means, and now she's avoiding me."
Angie looked at me flatly. Then she picked up her glass, took a big swallow, and set it down. "Jesus Christ," she muttered. "The things you get yourself into."
"Yes, I'm a walking disaster," I said, rolling my eyes. "Problem solving mode, please. How do I prove to her that she should date me for a while?"
Angie made a giggling snort noise. "Date? I thought people just hooked up these days."
I decided right then to never tell my sister how Eden and I met. "Honestly, sis, she's the one. I’d bet the company on it."
She froze and looked at me wide-eyed. We only ever used that expression when we were drop dead serious. "Shit. Okay." She stared into space for a moment. "You changed your name a little. Does that count?"
I shook my head. "Apparently not."
Angie uncrossed her legs and sat up straighter. It was her stance for thinking on the spot during meetings, and I appreciated that she was going into business mode for me.
"Do these prophecies wear off over time?" she asked. "If it was said over a year ago, does it still count?"
"Good thinking," I said, pulling out my phone and making a quick note.
"Is there a way to break the curse, or whatever?" she asked. "I don't know anything about those New Age rituals, but people wave burning sage around to get rid of bad vibes or something. Maybe you could wear a crystal, or dance naked under the full moon or whatever?"
I shook my head. "I don't think she's the New Age type. She seems quite logical. Sharp."
Angie nodded. "Okay. Logic."
She stared at a spot on the coffee table very intently. Then she inhaled sharply, snapping her fingers. "The words she used were, ‘don't get into bed with the devil’, right?"
"Yes."
Angie grinned. “So don't go to bed with her. Just date her until she falls completely in love with you. And you know," her eyes narrowed, "If you're going to get busy, do it in the back of a car, or on a couch or something. Not in a bed."
I nodded, laughing. "This is why I keep you around, sis." She had always been the best at finding loopholes in contracts, and missing clarification.
Angie shrugged. “This might sound completely strange, but there's another thing you could do."
"Anything."
"You could go ask the grandmother what the hell she was talking about. I mean, for all you know, she could have meant something completely different. She could have been specifically referencing men named Lucifer. Or people from hot places. Who knows? The key to a successful contract is excessive detail. Maybe the same works with a prophecy?"
“Well, damn. How could I not have thought of that?”
Angie grinned. “Men think of breaking down walls. Women think of building bridges to go over them.”
“Yeah, yeah. Creators and destroyers.” We’d had similar versions of this conversation over the years.
“Well, stop trying to break the curse. Find ways around it, through it. Work with her. If she’s so amazing, and you think she’s into you, be on her team.” Something in Angie’s usually controlled expression flickered. “Also, find out if she’s had her heart broken. That can change everything.”
“Shit. She did mention that.”
“Then be on her team, no matter what the outcome,” Angie said gently. “Even if you end up just a pleasant diversion to help her heal.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I want Eden to be happy, above all else.”
“Her name is Eden?”
“Yeah.”
Angie burst out laughing. “The devil in the garden. Damn, that’s hilarious.”
I didn’t find it as funny as she did, but it was pretty bizarre.
~ Chapter 11 ~ Eden ~
* Business Meeting *
At the time when Andy and I broke up, I didn't think that my heartache could possibly be any worse, at any point in my life.
So this new level of angst completely blindsided me. I'd always taken my time, getting to know someone before finding out whether or not we clicked physically. Now that I’d had a little time and space, I could honestly say that Andy and I never really clicked physically. He didn't send sparks shooting through me from a simple touch on my arm. His kisses didn't make me weak in the knees.
Not like Eric. The indescribable desire to be near him was like a hot shimmering halo around me at all times. I honestly felt changed from one strange night and morning together.
I didn't know whether to be horrified that he discovered what pub I hung out at, or impressed. My gut reaction was that I was touched he would go to so much trouble. But it was also a little extreme.
Yet having to look into his eyes while I hurt him was too much to bear. I'd never had a very healthy level of self-esteem, and it had taken a major hit when I'd been dumped so hard. Trying to see myself in a new light, through Eric's sweet gaze, was oddly thrilling.
It was absolutely impossible to concentrate on writing my essay, and choosing classes for next term. Every single thing about the field of writing and English had always excited me, but now everything seemed dull and slightly blurry.
I wanted to ask Eric his opinion on what classes I should take. I wanted to ask him what he thought about language changing in each form of media, to help me get my next essay started.
I wanted to ask if he would ever forgive me for making him feel… Whatever he was feeling when I saw that horrific expression on his face as I walked away.
Rubbing my eyes roughly to try to stop the tears, I told myself that telling him the truth was better than beating around the bush and trying to let him down easy. Some things were just out of our control, and this was one of those situations.
I just wished that I could see straight, and that this hole where a heart should be would stop throbbing with phantom pain.
I couldn't take a chance by going against The Knowing. It would be one thing if I was hurt, but if Eric was with me when something terrible happened, I would never forgive myself.
Venting everything with Kelly over a bottle of cheap wine was helpful. She’d heard the stories of my weird family over the years, and she agreed that a declaration from Nana was not something that could be messed with.
She was very happy that I’d clicked with someone though. It gave her another opportunity to rant about how horrible Andy was
, and how I’d find someone soon who treated me well. Kelly was an excellent cheerleader, but once she left, I’d sunk into a pit of despair again.
Two days later, I was still unable to concentrate properly. There was no way in heck I was going to let myself become one of those girls who messed up their grades because of some guy.
I was almost relieved when my phone rang with an unknown number. If it was a stupid sales call, at least it would be a distraction for a moment.
