He seems as if he’s in physical pain. Why would that be?
His expression softens as he takes a seat in a chair which has been placed next to my bed. A chair which has never been there before.
“I remember, Alyssa. You belong to that boy. The one who plays with his band tonight instead of sitting with you and making sure you have everything you want. The one who is probably singing to some other girl while you lay in this bed with an aching head and body, because he left town with no mention of it to you.”
Taking the remote to the television from the side of my bed, he presses a button on it, choosing a movie. The Notebook springs up on the screen.
Incensed, I sit up and say, “How dare you, Eden! You don’t know him at all! He’s the best guy in this whole world. He has waited for me since we were ten years old. No one else has turned his head, not once in almost eight years. How it hasn’t happened, since I’ve been kept under lock and key with a plethora of over-the-top rules and regulations is a mystery to me. But he hasn’t, and he’s had every opportunity to find someone else. I will not let you or anyone else speak negatively about him.”
Rising, he places his hands on my shoulders easing me back again. “Sorry, I upset you. That was not my intention. I shall keep my thoughts to myself. If it helps you to know, I was not trying to kiss you. I would never do that to you. Just rest, Let the pill do its job and watch this movie with me. It’s one of my favorites.”
Tucking me in tightly before he takes a seat in the chair again, his eyes fall on the television screen. I feel shut out. My rant has made him tire of me.
We’ll never be friends if I keep jumping to conclusions. For some reason, I would hate it if we couldn’t become friends.
It’s a mystery to me why that is, but I want him in my life. Even though we’ve just met, I would miss him.
The silence surrounds us for an hour as we watch the movie. It comes to my attention most men don’t care for romantic tear jerkers, like the movie we’re watching.
As a matter of fact, most men wouldn’t be so attentive to a girl they’ve just met. He dresses like a fashion model and his hair is always immaculate.
My parents trust him to spend time alone with me. Hell, he even told me he would never kiss me. That’s it! He’s gay!
The click of the television breaks my train of thought. Eden rises, coming to my side, making sure I’m comfortable.
“What a sweet way to pass on to the next world. Don’t you think?”
Oh, the movie. He wants to talk about the movie. Yeah, straight guys never want to talk about a sappy love story.
“I suppose it would be the best way to go,” I say. “If you were all in love like they were.”
Turning off the lamp next to my bed, Eden kisses his fingers, then places them on my cheek. I find it a sweet thing to do.
“One day, may that kind of love find you, princess.” He retreats to the bedroom door.
“Goodnight, Eden,” I say as he closes the door behind him.
I can’t see his face in the dark, but I bet he’s smiling. “See you in the morning, baby.”
Too bad he’s not into girls. He’s a rare find. Laura might’ve liked him. If I wasn’t already spoken for, I’m sure I’d like him.
He’d be hard to say no to, though. Crap, he’s hot. Such a shame for all the eligible girls in the world.
CHAPTER 14
EDEN
Alone in the kitchen, I make a plate of scrambled eggs and toast for my mate. I’ve sent Toni and David out to buy some things for her. I’m making dinner for her this evening.
Our chef taught me how to prepare a lobster dinner for her. It’s her favorite and should help me win her over. After all, what female doesn’t like a man who can cook, and her favorite meal, no less?
Last night she gave me such a tongue lashing over how I spoke of that boy. I have to be careful what I say about him. She’s fiercely protective of him.
Her love for him must be strong and it makes me incredibly imbalanced. I struggle between sorrow for her soon to be broken heart and anger at myself for letting this happen to her.
Scotty is off at school and we’re alone this morning. As alone as we can be with the invisible boyfriend ever hovering at her side.
How long will it take her not to hear from him before she gets mad about it?
Taking the tray of food up the stairs, I tap at her bedroom door. “Come in,” her sweet voice answers.
She sits up as I enter her bedroom. She looks radiant and seems to be making a swift recovery, as her color is much better. She couldn’t get any more beautiful, and yet she does.
“I made you breakfast, princess. Your parents took Scotty to school, then they had to run some errands. You look as if you’re feeling better.”
Placing the tray over her lap, I catch the smell of lavender as she shakes out her hair. “I must look a mess, but I do feel much better. Please excuse my appearance, Eden.”
If this is a mess, I’m one lucky man.
“You look as beautiful as you always do, baby. You eat while I run you a warm bath. You can bathe after breakfast. Should I find you something to wear?”
Her eyes dance as she looks at me. “Why not? I should think you could pick me out a much better outfit than I could ever hope to come up with.”
My taste in clothes has not been lost on her. How fun it’s going to be to introduce her to all the latest designers.
Linda already has her closet at home and on the jet, filled with beautiful things. She’s going to be so surprised.
“Good. I’ll make you look great.”
Shaking a fork full of eggs my way, she says, “I’m sure you will. I trust your judgment, Eden. Thank you for doing all this. These eggs are cooked just right. As a good cook and fashion coordinator, plus easy on the eyes, you’ll make someone a very happy man.”
What did she just say? I’ll make someone a happy ‘MAN?’
No way, not her too. “Oh yeah, princess? Do you really think so?”
Stuffing eggs into one of the pieces of toast, she looks at me. “Of course, I do. And I want you to know I’m cool with your lifestyle choice. No judgments here, guy.”
My lifestyle choice! How could she think such a thing?
I feel the need to get away from her and regroup. “Let me get the bath water going,” I say. “You’re nearly done with your breakfast.”
Making her bath, I find her shampoo and take a quick whiff of it. How badly I want to bury my face in her lovely locks.
Shit! She’s come in and caught me smelling her shampoo.
“You can use it too if you like it, Eden.”
She goes to brush her teeth, her pajama bottoms hanging askew on her narrow hips. The back of her hair is a bit messy, yet still gorgeous.
She wipes her mouth after she rinses out the toothpaste and peers at her reflection in the mirror. I think it’s time to let her know without a doubt that I am not gay.
Moving in behind her I put my hands at her waist and straighten her PJ bottoms. Her eyes catch mine in the mirror.
She smiles at me. “Thanks, Eden.”
A platonic gesture, she considers it. I need to step it up. I wrap my arms around her, laying my chin on her shoulder as I look at her in the mirror.
“Beautiful, even in the morning after a tragic accident. Do you ever look bad?” I ask.
Her hand strokes my cheek. “I do right now, you tease. You, on the other hand, look devastating, you handsome devil.”
She still thinks I’m gay. I turn her in my arms, holding her tightly against me as I look down at her. She smiles innocently up at me, placing her hands on my shoulders. Well, at least she feels free to touch me and let me hold her since she thinks I’m not into her.
“Your bath is ready, cupcake.”
“Thank you. That’s so sweet of you.” Her sentence is punctuated by a sweet kiss on my cheek.
Okay, I can’t take any more of this. Not releasing my hold on her, I steadily walk
back towards the bath.
She giggles as I move her with me, making me crazy for her. A quick turn and I have the wall behind her. Before she can figure out what I’m doing, I press her body against the wall and run one of my hands to grab a section of her hair. Pulling it back, I press my lips to hers.
The angle of her head makes her lips part and I thrust my tongue into her mouth. Her breath sucks in as she gasps at my sudden intrusion.
I’ve waited forever to feel her like this. Heat radiates all over my body and already I grow hard with a need for her.
Though I don’t want this kiss to end, it has to. I soften my kiss, then pull my lips off hers. Her cheeks are pink, eyes wide, and mouth slightly open.
“Did that feel gay, Alyssa?”
“No, no it did not,” she says, nearly breathless.
I let her go and walk out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me. The wall holds me up as I fall back on it.
My knees went weak when our lips touched, but I managed to hold it together. How fortunate for me she’s mine and I can kiss her for the rest of my life.
Now that I’ve tasted her, I will have to fight myself even harder to give her the time to come to me.
Maybe I shouldn’t have done that after all. Shit! I hope I didn’t push her away.
She’s probably in there right now thinking of herself as a cheater. I’ve probably made her hate herself.
This was a mistake. I’m not even supposed to touch her like that. It’s exactly what Linda told me not to do, but I did it anyway.
Damn, do I ever do what people tell me to?
I think too highly of myself. The tutoring was to temper my lusty ways. I’ve frightened her. I know I have. Her eyes were wide and full of fear.
Or was that something else I saw?
Hell, I didn’t even wait to see what she thought about it. I took off like I’m some cocky male on the prowl.
How could I do that to her?
She’s too special to be treated like that. I had wanted her to ask me to kiss her, not take it as if I’m a thief.
Thumbing through her closet, I find very little which is appropriate for such a special creature. Plain, plain, plain.
How could I have let her live like this?
Like she’s a normal, middle-class girl, when she’s so far from that. My hand lands on a royal blue sundress. It’s inexpensive, but still pretty. She can wear this if she’ll still wear what I pick out.
She may send me away, or try to anyway. She can’t really do that, but she can say it and I’ll have to give her some time.
Damn it, I’m a fool!
Dropping the dress on the bed along with the silver sandals I found, I give a longing look at the closed bathroom door. How I wish I could take back what I’ve done.
A note!
I’ll leave her a note to help her not be furious with me. Then I’ll wait for her to come to me.
Damn, I pray this works.
CHAPTER 15
ALYSSA
What the hell was that?
Soaking in the bath Eden made for me, I’m still tingling from his kiss.
How could I have ever thought he was gay?
He surprised me by holding me against the wall and kissing me. I’d never have allowed that if I hadn’t been so free with him, physically. I thought he was gay. Why wouldn’t it be okay for him to touch me?
Well, he was really holding me, now that I look back at it. I hate to admit this, but that short kiss made me feel something I’ve never felt with Kyle. Maybe it’s a mistake to think Kyle’s the one for me.
No! Don’t even think like that!
Kyle is sweet and charming and honest. Something I guess I’m not.
Oh, I am a cheater. A horrible person. Should I tell him about the kiss?
No, definitely not. It would only hurt him. But how can I look him in the eye and lie?
Even if it isn’t a spoken lie, but an omission of a small fact, it’s still a lie. I go under water. Maybe I could drown myself in this tub and never have to face him or Eden again.
I pop back up as the air runs out of my lungs. Death is too good for me. I’m an intolerable human being. I have to face this thing with Eden, whatever it is.
I cannot let my relationship with Kyle go just because a hot guy showed up on my doorstep and seems to want me.
No matter what Eden says, I know he’s a ladies’ man. He’s too slick not to be. So focused on me, like a wolf on its prey. I will not fall for it.
I get out of the tub and dry off, wrapping my hair in the towel. Pulling on my robe, I cross my fingers Eden is not waiting in my room for me.
He does know I have to get dressed. As I open the door I don’t see him anywhere.
Thank God.
He’s laid out a dress and sandals for me to wear.
Should I wear this?
After all, if he’s so hot for me, wearing something he’s picked out may not be a good idea. No, I better go a lot plainer than this. A T-shirt and jeans with an old pair of sneakers. My hair in a simple ponytail. No make-up and no perfume.
Should I put on deodorant?
That’s a stupid question. Of course I should. I’m not an animal!
What’s this?
A letter fell from the bed when I picked up the dress. Christ, he’s left me a letter.
Shit! I hope he hasn’t left!
Alyssa,
I fear I may have over-stepped your boundaries. I am truly sorry. The thought of you believing I wasn’t one hundred percent heterosexual was too much for me. That is no excuse for taking you like I did. I’m well aware of your love for another and it was wrong of me to put you in the position I have.
You’re a wonderful person. Please don’t think otherwise. I did that to you against your will, and I swear to you it will never happen like that again.
I beg your forgiveness. You’ve become very special to me. If you shut me out because of my bad behavior it would hurt me to the core. I’ll be in the guest room waiting for you if you can accept my apology and give our friendship another chance.
Yours forever,
Eden
How sweet he is. How can I be mad?
I assume he had to prove he wasn’t gay somehow. I jumped to a conclusion and I had to pay the price, I suppose.
It wasn’t a bad price to pay. Kyle doesn’t need to know about it. Just a silly thing which sometimes happens between friends, right?
Yeah, who am I kidding?
I guess I’ll wear the dress he picked out. I don’t want him to feel any worse than he already does.
Perhaps he isn’t the ladies’ man I assume he is either. I guess he could be genuine. His high class and culture are different. That’s all it is.
I’ve never known someone like him before. I’m sure all wealthy jet-setters are very much like him.
After getting myself dressed and fixing my hair, I’m finally ready to face him. At the guest bedroom door, I knock. “Eden, are you in there?”
The door opens and his sheepish smile greets me. “You came.”
I take his hand and pull him out of the room and into the hallway. “Of course I came. Your letter was very sweet. I forgive you, Eden. I understand why you did it and I apologize for being so presumptuous. It was wrong of me.”
He leaves a quick kiss on my cheek. “Thank you, Alyssa. I would hate it if you were mad at me. Plus, your mother called me and asked me to take you to a doctor’s appointment she made for you with Doctor Baker.”
Crap!
“Do you know why?”
His arm goes around my waist as he holds me tightly to his side and walks down the stairs. “The doctor at the hospital said you needed to follow up with your own doctor. Don’t you remember that?”
“Oh, yeah.” Thank God it’s just that. The last time I was supposed to go see Doctor Baker it was for a female inspection, and I’m not down for that.
Helping me into his bad-to-the-bone Jaguar, Eden moves across me to fasten the se
atbelt. “I can do this, you know,” I say as his cheek brushes past my lips. He’s so close.
He pauses in front of me, so damn close I can feel his warm breath on my face. “Sorry. I suppose it’s odd to you, but I feel the need to keep you protected, princess.”
The door shuts before I can reply. Not that I need to. I mean, what do you say to that? You surely don’t tell him to stop.
He slides into the driver’s seat and I’m sorry I looked over because he’s even more appealing as he sits behind the wheel of this bad ass car.
He opens a compartment and puts on a pair of sunglasses with the word Ray-Ban on them. They look expensive and he looks even hotter.
Shit! Why do I have to be taken?
The touch of his hand on mine takes my attention away from his face, which apparently I’ve been gazing at without realizing it.
“Open the glove compartment. There’s a gift for you in it,” he directs me.
“Another gift, Eden. Why would you do that?” I ask as I open the compartment and spy a black box with a pink ribbon around it. I open it up to find a pair of sunglasses, also with the word Ray-Ban on them.
“Oh my God, you really shouldn’t have. These must be expensive. I can’t take them.”
Reaching over me, Eden pulls them from the box and places them on my face. “You can take them, princess. I have more than enough money. And they look good on you,” he says as he flips the visor down, revealing a lighted mirror. “See for yourself.”
Wow! I look like a million dollars.
“Okay, I’ll accept them. It would be a damn shame to let these things go to waste. Thank you, Eden.”
He gives my cheek another quick peck. “You're welcome, Alyssa. Now you can decide if we leave the top up or put it down.”
Although I know it will bring us lots of attention, something I don’t much care for, I answer, “Down. Definitely down.” A push of a button and the sky opens up to us. “Can I mess with your radio, Eden?”
With a gesture to the screen, he says, “Mess away, baby doll.”
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