The air was hot from the heat of the water and I spent most of the shower just standing under it, letting it run down my body. All I seemed to think about was Ruby while I was in there. I stood with a straight arm against the wall while the water hit my face and I was seeing her behind my closed eyes, remembering the last shower we shared.
She was standing close and I had my hands on her wet body. Her skin was perfect under my hands and I missed it. I opened my eyes to try to forget about it but the thought of her was still there. With a heavy sigh, I reached for the faucets and shut the water off. “Could the day get any worse?”
I stepped out of the shower, reaching for a white towel and started drying off then approached the mirror and used the towel to dry my hair before wrapping it around my waist.
I stood in front of the mirror for another moment and looked at myself. My wet hair was draping down around my eyes and I brought my hands up and grabbed as much of it as I could. I held it all up and turned my head from side to side to look at it when I noticed a pair of sheers sitting on the counter next to the sink. I looked at myself again and let all of my hair go, shaking it back into place. Things were different now but I didn’t much think that I reflected that difference yet.
There was a short delay before I made my choice and quickly reached for the sheers. I looked back in the mirror again and held up some of my hair straight above my head. My eyes closed as I brought the sheers up to it and cut the hair. I opened my eyes as it fell into the sink in front of me and I continued cutting more clumps of it to half its original length until the door to the bathhouse opened.
It was Meg and she seemed jumped by my presence. “Oh, Darius! I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.”
“Hello, Meg. It’s all right. If I knew this was the floor you were on I would have chosen another.”
“Still not using your own, I see.”
“Ah, no. My wife hates me so that wouldn’t exactly be a good idea.”
“What are you doing?”
I looked back at the mirror real quick with my image in it. “Thought I’d try my hand at making a change but I don’t think it’s going as well as I hoped.”
“I’d be glad to help if you’d like.”
“Can you cut hair?”
“I’ve been known to.” Meg got closer to get a better look at what I’ve done so far. “Doesn’t look like you’re doing too badly of a job.”
“Yes, well, it’s hard to see the back of my head.”
She laughed. “Understandable. Here.” She pulled up a stool in front of the counter. “Sit. I’ll see what I can do.”
I sat on the stool and was just the right height that Meg could see everything she needed to. I gave her the sheers and she picked up a comb and started brushing it up, letting it fall.
“So, what exactly are you going for here?”
“Shorter?”
She laughed. “Well, yeah but I meant style.”
“I didn’t really have a specific one in mind when I started. Why don’t you just surprise me?”
“Okay. I promise it won’t look bad.”
“You could shave my head and I’d still look good.”
“Confident, aren’t you?”
“It’s a given for me.”
“Then in that case, I don’t see this fight you’re in lasting much longer.”
I laughed in more of a sad way than happy. “Yeah. I’m sure everyone thought it wouldn’t last this long.”
“You miss her, don’t you?”
“And why wouldn’t I but I’m leaving the choice up to her and I have a feeling I know what she’ll choose.”
“You don’t know that. She may come around.”
“Not soon enough.”
We stayed quiet while Meg made the last few clippings and walked around me. “There. What do you think?”
I got up from the stool, holding on to the towel with one hand and stepped towards the mirror. I used my other hand and shook it through my hair, letting it fall wherever it did. “It accomplishes the different I wanted. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. If you want the opinion of a woman, I’d say you look very tempting.”
I smiled back as I looked over and turned my body in her direction. The feeling of someone wanting me was alluring and I just asked without thinking of any kind of consequence. “What are you doing tonight?”
She paused for just a moment and took a quick thought to the question. “Sleeping?”
I laughed. “Of course but I could use some company.”
“Oh.” She was nervous and took a slow step back. “I couldn’t. Your wife—”
“Is going to leave me. I don’t see why I have to stay miserable until she makes that decision.”
There was another pause and Meg was just looking at me. I don’t know if it just made her nervous to what would happen if she turned me down again from her awful experience in that shame of a country. “Well, if you put it that way. I see the logic in it.”
“I’m not going to make you if you don’t want to. We respect women in this part of the world. You’re not in Hintus anymore.”
She put a warming smile on her face and regained that step she once took away. “Oh, I know that. I—I want to.”
I smiled and stepped forward with my thumb tucked into the front of my towel while I held it up. “Good. Shall we stay in your room or mine?”
“Ah, which ever you’re comfortable with.”
“Mine it is.”
We walked through the hall to my room and I opened the door, letting Meg enter first. “Whoa. Every room in this place must be nice.”
“They are. There are three on each floor with a bathhouse except for the first, second and seventh floors and the towers of course.”
“I didn’t even know this place was here.”
I laughed, walking farther in. “Not many did. It was hidden well.”
Meg was standing by the bed still looking around the large room with its fireplace and slowly started to lower herself down onto it. “Must be getting later than I thought.”
“Days seem slow but the night always comes fast.”
Meg looked back and I was already in bed, under the covers. “Yes. I’ve noticed.” She turned her head back and reached down for her shoes. She started to take them off while I sat there and watched her.
She set her shoes aside and slowly reached for the front of her dress. She undid the laces and started to pull it down off her shoulders. When the bare skin of her back was shown, I moved closer and gently grazed my fingertips down the contouring of her spine. Meg held completely still when I brought my lips into her and kissed her shoulder.
Her breaths were shuttered and I started moving my kisses to her neck. Meg laid her head back and I was supporting her completely as I took her arms out of her sleeves and turned her chin to me. Our lips met and Meg started to turn around and backed away. She stood at the edge of the bed as I stayed where I was and watched her. She reached to her waist for the rest of her dress, including what was under it and started pulling it off her hips. She wasn’t Ruby fit but she was still beautiful enough that it caused me to move to that edge of the bed to stand up.
Her eyes just widened and failed to keep them on mine. “The rumors about you are true.”
I smiled, finding her surprise rather cute. “Did you agree just to find out?”
“No, I’m more grown up than that.”
I kept my smile and brought my lips down to hers. Meg wrapped her arms around my neck and I turned her towards the bed, laying over her. My hand slid down her naked body to her right thigh and I pulled it out, wrapping her leg around my back.
Meg held on to me tightly and took a heavy intake of air when I penetrated her body. I tried enjoying it like I really wanted because it’s been days but I kept seeing Ruby under me, not Meg. Was I using her to try to get passed this? I didn’t have the answer but I knew I didn’t want it to be that way. Meg’s been through enough.
I br
ought my lips into hers and with our tongues touching and moving with each other’s, I was slowly able to get passed those feelings, making this night to be something I wanted.
We laid in each other’s arms afterwards and Meg had her head on my left shoulder. I haven’t said a word but my thoughts wouldn’t let me rest.
“You feel guilty for being with me.”
“I don’t.”
“You don’t have to lie to me, Darius. I know you do and it’s okay to. I’m not going to tell anyone. You won’t have to worry about that.”
“I wouldn’t care if everyone knew about this. What are they going to do? It’s just—”
“Ruby?”
“No. I don’t want my doing this to result in using you to get over her.”
“You know you never will. You still love her. I’m not asking to replace her in your heart.”
She was probably right but I didn’t feel like my usual self with Meg. Something was different like I was no longer the person I used to be. If Ruby was going to leave me, I needed to be with someone.
“And if that’s what I wanted?”
Meg lifted her head. “You don’t mean that. She’s going to have your child and I’m—”
She laid her head back down and my curiosity risen. “What?”
“I’m going to have Wyatt’s.”
I was surprised. This was the first time I was hearing about this. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure and I’m sure he knows. That’s why he’ll never stop looking for me.”
“I won’t let them take you if they come here.”
“You won’t have a choice. If you kill him that will start a war and I don’t want that over me.”
“You don’t deserve that life. I won’t just do nothing.”
“There are some things in life that you don’t get to decide.”
I let the silence continue. Some part of me was already starting to become protective of her. That’s kind of how I knew things were different with Meg. I haven’t known her for that long. We’ve hardly spoken but I think I was feeling something. She wasn’t like Ruby. She seemed so fragile and weak that it only seemed right that she would need someone to take care of her. I felt that I could be that someone as we both fell asleep.
I even dreamt about her. It was weird and not really like me but she needed me and just having that feeling come from someone was enough.
Morning came fast but she was still with me, another sign that I wasn’t reverting to my old ways.
“We’re missing breakfast.”
Meg lifted her head and looked back to see me awake. “Too soon to walk in together?”
I laughed. “They shouldn’t question that and even if they did, I don’t care if they know but if you do, we can be discreet about it for a while until you’re ready.”
“Yeah.” Meg agreed as she started to sit up, holding the sheet to her chest. “Having them find out right away when we don’t know where this is going may be a bad idea.”
“I know where I’d like it to go. Will you stay again tonight?”
Meg looked over and couldn’t refuse as any woman couldn’t. “Of course I’ll stay and every night I’m here, if you want.”
“I’d like that.”
She was looking into my eyes and leaned in closer. Our lips met and our tongues grazed one another for just a moment.
“We should probably get to breakfast.” Meg muttered.
“Yeah, we probably should.” I said, brushing my lips up against hers and taking her head in my hand. Meg let out a shuttering breath and pushed her lips back into mine, forcing her tongue in my mouth. I let it go on for just a few more seconds until I pulled back and held her from leaning in again. “No, really. We should. You need to eat for the baby.”
She sighed. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let them take you. Come on.” I moved over to the other side of the bed and started to get dressed.
“I’ll just get to my room for something else to wear.” She slipped on yesterday’s dress and started walking to the door with her shoes in hand.
“Okay. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
She nodded as we left the room and she walked to hers while I took the stairs down to the first floor. I walked into the dining room and Jaylyn greeted me with a scream, shattering my eardrum with the high pitch in her voice.
“What?”
“Oh.” She said, taking a calming breath. “It’s you.”
“What did you do?” Zayden asked.
“What’s it look like?”
“That you did something you never said you’d do.” Troy said.
“So, things change. Is there something wrong with it?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s just shorter than usual. Weird to see.”
“Did you do it yourself?” Adele asked.
“Not entirely.” I turned and smiled when Meg entered behind me. “Meg helped.”
“Oh, you must be talking about his hair.” Meg smiled as she took her seat on the other side of the table by Adele. “Yes. I think it turned out good after he tried doing it himself.”
“What will Ruby think?” Adele asked.
“You think I care? I haven’t seen her in days so she probably wouldn’t even notice. Is she even still here?”
“Of course she’s here.” Jaylyn said. “She ate with us for a few minutes before she took it upstairs.”
“Then it doesn’t matter, does it?”
“Apparently not.”
That’s all that was said for the rest of the time I was down there. It seemed like everyone wanted to finish in a hurry just to avoid another disappointing conversation. I was glad for it. It was definitely something I didn’t want to talk about—ever but my reasons were still unclear even to me.
Chapter 25
Adele
It’s been yet another week and Ruby and Darius still weren’t talking or even seeing each other for that matter. I was worried but for reasons more than that. I seemed to be the only person to notice these strange glances between Darius and Meg. My explanation of the situation was something I didn’t like to think to be true but I just had to know.
I walked to the third floor to see Darius while I knew Meg was safely in a conversation with Jaylyn downstairs and entered his room. “Oh, hey, Adele. Ever think of knocking?”
My face was scorned and I closed the door behind me. “We need to talk.”
Darius seemed a little confused as to why but stood agreeing. “Okay. About?”
“What’s going on with you and Meg?”
I got right to the point with this too but Darius tried to hide it. “Me and Meg? Nothing.”
“Really?” I started walking around the bed. “Because it’d be hard for me to believe that you’d wear this.” I reached to the foot board and picked up a ladies garment, holding it up with the tips of my fingers. It was lacey and definitely something I’d never catch Darius in.
“Yeah. I can explain that.”
“Well, start explaining.”
I just gave him a look with my arms folded and he caved with a sigh. “All right. Fine. I’m sleeping with her. Okay?”
“Darius! Are you insane?! Why?!”
“Why not?! I’ve already lost Ruby! I shouldn’t have to wait around for her to finally say it!”
“You have not lost her.” I said more quietly.
“Oh, really? It’s been weeks, Adele! Explain that!”
“How long?”
“What?”
“How long have you been fucking Meg?”
“Don’t say it like that.”
“Well, it’s you. How else would I say it? Just answer the question.”
“All right. Ah—about a week.”
“A week! Have you completely lost your mind?! Do you not want to get Ruby back?!”
“I don’t think it would happen if I did and Meg doesn’t make me feel like I’m worthless!”
This was different; he was d
ifferent. He was defending her in some way and my eyes widened to why. “This isn’t just for sex, is it? You’re actually in a relationship with her?”
Darius just sighed like he couldn’t admit it to me and I shook my head and headed for the door.
“Adele, wait. Don’t tell anyone.”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because I don’t want you to ruin it. I think I might actually be able to have something with her.”
“Are you kidding me?! You are not splitting up this family!”
“Please! Just keep my secret. At least for a while. I know you can.”
I didn’t like this one bit and made my own plan. “Fine but you’ll regret this.” I left the room, slamming the door behind me and started back down the stairs while I was drowning in thought. I took a turn down another flight and almost ran right into Meg.
“Oh, Adele. I’m sorry.”
“Meg. It’s okay. My fault.” I kept going down and approached Jaylyn, Zayden and Troy sitting in the lounge on the first floor.
“Hey, what?” Jaylyn asked.
She must have seen the irritation on my face and it was better to get all of this out now.
“We have a serious problem. Come with me.” I turned back towards the stairs and everyone didn’t hesitate to follow. I led them to the second floor and into the study where we could talk behind a closed door.
“What’s wrong, Love?”
I sighed as everyone sat down but I kept on my feet and paced in front of them. “We can all agree that we like Meg, right?”
“Ah, yeah.” Troy said, looking at the others beside him a little confused.
“And we don’t mind having her here?”
“Of course not.” Jaylyn smiled.
“Okay, so the real question is, do we like her enough that we’d want her to replace Ruby?”
“What?” Zayden wondered. “Why is that even a question?”
“Yeah?” Jaylyn agreed.
I paused with a sigh and got to the news I thought they had to know. “Because Meg and Darius are—together.”
“What?!”
“I know but it’s true. I just talked to Darius and they’ve been not only sleeping together for the last week but he thinks he could actually go somewhere with her.”
Broken Road (Fate's Intent Book 7) Page 11
