Without a word, David pulled her into his arms and held her tight.
CHAPTER TWO
HE LET HER CRY. He simply held her and let her cry.
Eden felt safe and secure in his arms as he offered comfort. He knew what she was feeling, what she was experiencing because he’d been there as well. David understood because Sasha was his sister. At the same time, Eden was acutely aware of how nice it was to be this close to him, to feel his warmth, to breathe in his scent. However, that wasn’t the point of this embrace, and she tried to school her mind in the right direction.
She knew she needed to get herself together before seeing Sasha again. She needed to be strong, to be in control so her friend could lean on her.
‘But you are strong.’ David’s words were filled with caring, and it was then that Eden realised she’d spoken out loud. ‘You’re the strongest woman I know.’ He dragged in a breath, closing his eyes with pleasure as her scent continued to surround him. His fingers played with the ends of her hair, loving the silkiness of her curls. ‘You’re also the most stubborn and pigheaded,’ he added softly, the tenderness in his tone belying the severity his words might have carried.
Eden sniffed, her tears starting to subside, but she made no attempt to draw back from David’s arms. ‘Some people consider those qualities an asset.’
‘I never said they weren’t.’ He knew he was playing with fire, and that he’d no doubt get burnt, but he couldn’t deny how nice it was to comfort her like this. Especially as he knew exactly how she felt—the helplessness at being unable to ‘fix’ Sasha.
Eden smiled at his words, shifting to press her ear to his chest, enjoying the lub-dub of his heartbeat. Her hands were still curled beneath her chin, but as she hiccuped a few times her breathing started to return to normal. Drawing in a deep breath, she let it out slowly and sighed.
David closed his eyes. He should let her go, step away, move before he did something they’d both regret…Well, something he’d regret. Eden had always been the sort of person to act on impulse, to speak her mind whenever she had something to say, and she had never apologised for being that way. Her directness was a quality he’d long admired, though he’d never told her that.
He needed to let her go. To put distance between them. But this was Eden…the only woman who’d ever managed to make him lose control over his usually logical thought processes. The only woman who fitted so perfectly into his arms. So perfect.
‘Well, if you’re feeling better I should let you go.’ His voice was soft, quiet and very intimate.
She could hear something different in his tone. A hint of veiled desire, perhaps? Was the fact that she was standing this close to him, listening to his heartbeat, too much for him to fight? ‘You should,’ she whispered back. ‘Although it sounds as though you don’t want to.’
‘Eden. We can’t.’
‘Can’t what?’
‘I think you know what.’
‘Well, maybe I need you to spell it out for me?’
David dragged in one last deep breath, appreciating the feel of her so close, so near to him, before opening his eyes and finally releasing her. Eden dropped her hands to her sides, feeling instantly cold and bereft. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
‘What can’t we do, David?’
He was silent, looking down at her, his gaze drawn to her mouth…her full, highly kissable mouth.
‘Pick up where we left off.’ His eyes were intent on hers as he spoke, showing her that he wasn’t shying away from the memories, but merely putting them into order.
His words surprised her. ‘The last time I saw you was the night I kissed you goodbye.’
‘I remember. You’re…you, and you’re…gorgeous, and…’ He stopped and cleared his throat, trying to get a better handle on the situation. ‘I don’t think we need to go down that road again. We know where it leads.’
David forced himself to move, taking two giant steps backwards, and bumped directly into his desk. He placed a hand on the wood, feeling the hard reality of the world around them. ‘Besides, I know you didn’t come back home for me.’
Eden angled her head to the side, her red curls falling over her shoulder in a way that made him want to touch them. To feel the silky softness sift through his fingers. To breathe in her scent. To let himself go.
How did she do it? How could she make him forget everything? Everything except the frightening natural chemistry which existed between them. It was incredible that after twelve long years, their lives having taken them in completely different directions, the attraction was still there…still as powerful and as strong as ever.
‘No. I didn’t come home just to kiss you, David.’
‘We’ve both changed a lot in the past twelve years. We’re adults now, not teenagers, and I think we can control ourselves much better.’
‘True.’ Eden shifted and pondered his words for a moment. ‘Although I thought the reason you ran away before was because I was so young, so inexperienced. Wasn’t that the reason you gave me? You didn’t want to hold me back from experiencing life, from dating other people, from having experiences I wouldn’t have if I continued to date you? I was only seventeen. I was too young to be tied down, to be in a relationship.’
‘You were so young, and that was the problem,’ he stated firmly. ‘Now, can we please drop the subject.’
He hadn’t said anything confirming her being inexperienced. That was good. It was a concern Eden had been carrying around for such a long time. She’d often wondered what she had done wrong. She’d been so confused by his reaction. First he had pushed her away, and then he had returned the last kiss they’d shared. Then he’d not only put her from him but he’d left the state!
Back then, when she’d been in her late teens, Eden had hidden her true self behind humour, flippancy and her crusades in helping others. David’s leaving had hurt her so much that the only way she’d been able to cope was to repress her pain, to close off that part of her. She’d cried herself to sleep for weeks on end, trying to figure out what she’d done wrong. Why had he left her? Why hadn’t he wanted her?
Of course she’d hidden her feelings from everyone, locking them away. She’d been bright and bubbly on the outside, throwing herself into helping others. She’d volunteered at soup kitchens, helped out at a women’s shelter, and when she’d graduated from high school the year after David had left, instead of being one of the party animals she’d been one of the carers, helping those who’d drunk too much to find a safe place to spend the night.
One crusade after another. Helping others wherever possible. It was the reason she’d become a doctor, wanting to be able to help those less fortunate than herself. Now here she was…almost full circle. Near David, breathing him in and still unsure what she should do. Did he have any idea what seeing him again had done to her? Awakening those feelings she’d thought long buried, deep down inside?
‘And I didn’t run away. My parents decreed that I should continue my studies in Melbourne, and as they held the money-strings, I went. Besides, it ended up being a good career move as the university there had a stronger focus on paediatrics. But I didn’t run away.’ He stood from where he was, leaning on his desk, and went around to sit in his chair, putting even more distance between them.
‘So…just a second. Are you saying you broke up with me because your parents found out about us?’
‘Yes.’
‘You didn’t want to end it, then?’
‘Eden. It’s in the past. Let it go.’
‘Wait. Let me just clarify here. Are you saying that you did like kissing me? That you liked hanging out with me, spending time with me? Dating me?’
‘Yes.’
‘You didn’t break up with me because I wouldn’t go all the way with you?’
‘Eden! You know I was against us “going all the way”. You were too young.’
‘But you wanted to,’ she pushed.
‘Of course I did. We were dati
ng and you’re…you.’ He shook his head and raked a shaking hand through his hair.
‘You wanted me back then?’
‘I did. Can we drop this now?’
‘And you left because your parents made you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then why didn’t you tell me the truth? Why did you let me think you didn’t care about me?’
‘Because I cared about you too much. You and Sasha.’ He shifted and looked her in the eyes. ‘Look, Eden, I know you. I know you would have fought against my parents’ decision, and then they would have banned you from seeing Sasha, done whatever else they could to destroy you as well. They’re experts when it comes to getting what they want, and they wanted us apart. I figured telling you it was my idea would at least give you access to Sasha. She needed you more. She still does.’
Eden shook her head in wonder. ‘All those years I thought I’d done something wrong, but now you tell me that wasn’t the case.’
‘You hadn’t done anything wrong.’
‘And you didn’t think to fight your parents? To tell them you weren’t going to go to Melbourne?’
‘Not back then. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was nineteen and to all intents and purposes I’d been sheltered for most of my life—even though my parents had so little to do with my upbringing.’
Eden smiled. ‘You had a few nannies.’
‘I didn’t. Sasha did.’
‘Right.’ She smiled as though she didn’t believe him, but it didn’t matter any more. Although David had left her, had gone to Melbourne, it hadn’t been because of her.
‘Now, can we please leave it?’
She nodded. ‘All right. Subject dropped.’ She walked over to the chair opposite where he sat and lowered herself into it. ‘So tell me…what’s been happening with your life during the past twelve years?’
‘I’m sure Sasha has kept you informed.’
Eden acknowledged his words with a slight nod. ‘Not in great detail. She told me you were getting married—I cried myself to sleep that night.’ She sighed theatrically so he didn’t take her seriously. ‘Then she mentioned you were getting divorced.’
‘Did you cry that night, too?’
‘I was sorry for you. Sorry that it hadn’t worked out. You deserve happiness, David.’ There were no theatrics now, just sincerity. ‘Will you tell me what happened?’
‘Nothing out of the ordinary. I married a woman I shouldn’t have. Simple.’
‘Who?’
‘Jacqueline Baker. I don’t think you know her. She wasn’t from around here, but our parents knew each other through their charity work.’
‘Ha! Charity work as far as our parents are concerned is throwing money at people, but never once getting their own hands dirty.’ She blew on her nails. ‘Oops. I’ve chipped my manicure.’
‘As I was saying, Jacquie and I met through our parents. We became friends, and then we sort of drifted into marriage.’
‘Drifted? Sounds terribly romantic.’
‘Do you want me to tell you or not?’
‘Yes. Sorry. I’ll be quiet.’
‘Thank you. After trying to make it work for about three years, we both decided we’d been stupid to allow ourselves to be pushed into the union and we amicably divorced. She’s now remarried and is expecting her first child very soon.’ He frowned as he said the words, and Eden knew there was certainly more to it than he was letting on.
‘You still see her?’
‘At social gatherings. She’s been in a few times recently to see Sasha.’
‘An amicable divorce. Isn’t that an oxymoron?’
David smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘It does happen. Jacquie and I were always better at the friends part, so that’s the part we’ve kept, and although our divorce displeased our parents, we knew it was the right thing to do.’
‘And you always do the right thing?’
‘Not always, Eden.’
‘Really?’ She raised her eyebrows, a teasing glint in her eyes. ‘Well, I look forward to the next time you decide to buck the system.’
‘Stop it,’ he said with a warning smile. ‘I’m not letting you bait me this time.’ How was it that she had the ability to make him feel young and carefree again? It was so…Eden. So bright, so bubbly, but he’d been watching her before and had seen a multitude of emotions flit across her face, each one as brief as the next.
It reminded him of the nights she and Sasha had helped him study for exams. They would be all serious and studious one moment and then laughing the next. Those had been some of his favourite study sessions, and whilst Sasha had ended up falling asleep a lot of the time, leaving himself and Eden to slog through the workload, David had felt even then that there was a much deeper side to Eden than anyone realised.
‘Party-pooper.’ She gave a mock pout.
‘Exactly. Now, speaking of parents, are you planning to see yours whilst you’re back in town?’ As he spoke, he watched as every muscle in her gorgeous body tensed. ‘I take it your family are still a sore point.’
‘Uh…yeah. I haven’t spoken to any of them in ten years.’
‘Is that so?’ David knew this, as he was in fairly constant contact with her father, Hal, but now wasn’t the time to tell Eden that.
‘Come on, David. You know what my parents are like. Money is the only thing important to them. Oh, no—wait. Money and status. Two things are important to them. Not the happiness of their children.’
‘Todd turned out all right.’
Eden almost pounced at the mention of her little brother. There had been so many times—especially in the first few years after she’d left home—where she’d missed him terribly, wishing he was with her. ‘You’ve seen him? How is he?’
‘He’s good, Eden, and I know he’d like to see you.’
She eased back into her chair, watching him carefully. ‘You know this…how?’
‘Because I see them quite regularly. Your father is on the hospital board.’
‘Of course he is.’
‘And your mother is involved in several of the same charities as my mother.’
‘Accepted at last. She should be proud of herself.’
‘They’ve changed, Eden. Don’t you think it’s about time to put the past to rest?’
Eden brushed the hair back from her face, letting David’s words sink in. ‘I wrote to Todd not long after I left, and he wrote me a letter back saying he never wanted to speak to me again.’
‘He was…what…fifteen years old then?’
‘About that.’
‘So what does a fifteen-year-old brother know? He was probably hurt.’
‘I’ve sent my family Christmas and birthday cards every year, but never got one back.’
‘Maybe they didn’t know what to say?’
‘How about “To Eden. Merry Christmas from your parents”?’
‘Did they know where to send them?’
‘They had the address of the agency.’
‘Maybe things didn’t get through to you?’
‘The agency always passes on mail to staff. All of Sasha’s letters and cards made it through. Besides, I was in Darwin at medical school for a lot of that time, and although I was working in the Outback during vacations they still could have contacted me.’
‘Stop avoiding the question, Eden. Are you going to see them or not?’
‘I don’t know,’ she huffed, and crossed her arms defensively over her chest. ‘And stop being on their side. You were my friend first.’
‘This isn’t about sides, Eden.’
She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down. Finally she looked at David and shrugged. ‘I don’t know what to do.’
‘You must have known this question would arise when you decided to come back.’
‘Yes, of course. But honestly, David, if I’d allowed myself to focus on that I might not have come. I’m here for Sasha. First and foremost.’
‘No one’s disputing that,
but what’s stopping you from healing this old wound? You’ve locked your family away in a box marked “DO NOT TOUCH”. It’s not healthy for them to stay there for the rest of your life.’
He had a point. What he didn’t know was that she had a box with his name on it marked ‘DO NOT TOUCH’ as well, and yet here she was, sitting opposite him, drinking in the sight of him, allowing herself to be swayed by him. He’d always been able to make a convincing argument, and she had a feeling he wasn’t going to let this one drop.
The worry, the concern and the repressed pain were clearly evident on her face. ‘I don’t know if I’m strong enough to handle more rejection from them.’ She dropped her hands, dejection overcoming her with force. ‘My father kicked me out, David. He told me to leave and to never come back.’
‘He’s changed, Eden.’ David came around the desk, but still kept a clear distance between them. ‘You’re so driven, so focused, and you are always there for others. Be there for them.’ His words were deep, imploring. ‘Apart from all of that, I’ve already told you that you are the strongest woman I know.’
She sighed and gave him a small smile. ‘And I thought that was because I used to beat you at arm wrestling.’
He matched her grin. ‘I used to let you win.’
Her smile increased, her tension starting to dissipate. ‘I know.’
David paused, his tone encouraging. ‘See them, Eden. Perhaps now is the time to put the past behind you? To start afresh?’
‘Next you’ll be saying that life is too short to have regrets.’
‘It is.’
‘Do you have regrets?’
‘Who doesn’t?’
‘I mean about me.’ Eden’s heart started pounding fiercely against her chest as she spoke. Could he see she wasn’t joking around or teasing this time? Could he feel that she needed some sort of reassurance? He’d rejected her and it had hurt. Then he’d left, adding even more pain and guilt to the rejection she’d suffered.
Bride on the Children's Ward / Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way Page 3
