Traevyn raised his head and frowned. “What’s so funny?”
She met his eyes. “I was just thinking about Barrett deBoer.”
He cocked an eyebrow and propped his head up on his elbow. “I try to make love to you and you’re thinking about the married man you have a crush on?”
She grinned. “No, that’s Maxim. Barrett is his brother, and he’s been trying to date me for years.”
Traevyn arched both of his eyebrows this time. “That’s even worse!” he exclaimed. He put his hand over his heart. “You’re wounding me, Evie,” he teased.
She giggled again. “Don’t worry, he’s a jerk. I was just thinking of the look on his face if I were to tell him I’d slept with you.”
Traevyn blinked and feigned shock. “So now I’m a conquest? You’re breaking my heart!” He fell onto his back dramatically.
Evie laughed and wrapped her arm around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder. “Didn’t you know that was my plan all along? I rigged it so that I could come on this trip and seduce you.”
“And yet, you refuse to let me have you and, instead, decide to drive me crazy with your perfection and your adorable little froggy panties.”
She looked down at her panties and her face flamed. Yup, sure enough. Little frogs hopping onto lily pads. She groaned and put her hands over her face. How sexy was that, really? She needed a makeover.
He chuckled. “Don’t be embarrassed. I love them. Your perfect body and everything about you drives me wild.”
Having someone like Traevyn tell her that she made him sexually frustrated with her perfection was not the kind of comment she was used to hearing. She turned her face into his shoulder as if to hide it and smiled shyly. Having him say he loved her stupid bikini briefs was even worse. She felt his hand come up to stroke her hair, and she snuggled closer to him. “I love you, Traevyn,” she whispered.
He turned over on his side and cupped her cheek in his palm, gazing directly into her eyes. “You are quickly becoming everything to me.”
She sighed as his lips came to claim hers once again. Every color on an artist’s pallet flashed through her mind when he kissed her, every beautiful image that had ever inspired her. He was a masterpiece in every way.
* * * *
When Traevyn awoke he realized he felt something strange, foreign. He frowned as he tried to place what it was. Gradually, he became aware of Evie’s presence beside him and he turned his head to see her curled on her side away from him, still sleeping soundly. He smiled to himself and caressed her arm, then pressed a kiss to her shoulder and pulled the cover up over her. He sat up and swung his legs out of bed with a sigh.
That was it. He felt complete.
He stood and opened the French doors, stepping out onto the balcony and closing his eyes as the morning mist attacked his bare skin. He took a deep breath and grinned. For the first time in so long, every single part of him felt alive.
He turned and went back inside, not wanting to make Evie cold. He slipped a robe on and quietly made his way out of the room. He stopped in the doorway and looked back at her, loving how right she looked in his bed, in his room…in his world.
She belonged. She always had. She was the missing piece. He smiled and walked down to the office where he rummaged through his things until he located a leather journal not unlike the poetry book he had given Evie to read. The only difference was that this one had a Celtic knot pattern embossed on the front.
He smiled and sat down at his desk, running through all the many songs and poems he had locked away in his mind. After a moment, he began to write.
Chapter Twenty-Four
As Evie loaded the last of her luggage into the trunk of her car a horrible, painful lump rose in her throat, matching the horrible, painful pressure around her heart. She turned slowly toward the mansion that had been her home for the past three months, and the breeze blew her hair gently as it rustled the eucalyptus leaves. She tried to fix the scene in her memory, tried to take in every Gothic detail.
Her eyes strayed to the front door as Seth emerged, followed by Traevyn. Her heart twisted and she wanted to bawl like a baby. He’d told her that he would come see her on winter break, that he wanted to see her home and her life, but that was at least three months away. What had gone by so quickly while she was living in Big Sur suddenly seemed like an eternity. She folded her arms and looked down at the ground, fighting her tears.
Traevyn sighed as he saw Evie. Seth looked up at him and gave him an understanding smile. “Traevyn,” he said, “I can honestly say it has been a pleasure.”
Traevyn looked down at Seth, his heart warming at the boy’s words. “Seth Austin,” he said, “I owe you more than I could ever express.”
A knowing look passed between them and Seth smirked, nodding a little. “You’re a good man, Traevyn,” he said, embracing the older man.
Traevyn smiled and returned the embrace. “I’m very happy I got the chance to know you,” he said.
Seth frowned and pulled away. “Come on, don’t act like you’ll never see me again. We’re going to be a family, after all.” He winked and flashed a mischievous grin.
Traevyn chuckled and followed Seth toward the car, toward Evie. She went into his arms without hesitation, hiding her face against his chest and wrapping her arms fiercely around his waist. He twisted his lips into a sad smile and sighed. He could tell she was crying. He touched her hair. “Walk with me for a moment?” he queried.
She nodded and he led her down the path she had used many mornings. He kept his arm around her as they walked, kept her close to his body. His heart felt like it was ripping in half, but he knew he needed to be strong for her. She had done so much for him. The least he could do was let her go off to her last year of school without making her feel guilty for his being sad.
He stopped once they were far enough away to feel isolated under a large eucalyptus tree. The fog swirled around them and he turned her to face him. “Evie,” he murmured, “I don’t want you to be sad.”
She snorted and looked up at him like he had just lost his mind.
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “For thirty years I have waited for you. I can handle one more year.”
She looked down and shook her head. “I don’t know if I can.”
“You can,” he assured her. “I will come and see you on winter break.”
“And you’ll call?”
He smiled. She sounded so small and sad. His heart twisted. “Every day,” he whispered. “Darling, I have something for you.” He had been holding the leather journal with the Celtic knot on it and he opened it. “I wrote you something.”
She looked up at him, waiting, her heart aching in her chest. She felt like she had found paradise only to have it ripped from her. She couldn’t bear it.
“Wandering fields, following wisps,” Traevyn began,
“Of faces once remembered.
Holding on to that which
I no longer see.
It has such a hold on me.
Internal grip, cold,
Woven eternal,
My heart, scarred,
Thick with callous
Yet still, it bleeds,
Pieces missing, scattered.
Somewhere in the wake of my
Unlettered existence
You found me, lost in myself,
Showed me designs of a better person,
Soothed the pains of my damaged past.
Reluctant, hesitant, unbelieving in the
Perfection of you, I gathered myself.
Slowly, you tug at the roots
That bind my heart in the past,
Cauterize the pain that I may feel it no more.
Patiently, you wait for me.
I love you with an appreciation
I find hard to express.
I may be doubled over in pain,
As you excise my demons,
But these wounds heal.
The pain excruciating,
but temporary.
You dress the wounds with your tears of joy,
Your smile covers over the
Discomfort and your kiss dulls the pain.
I live because of you.
I love because you do.
Within you, I find all the pieces
That have been lost to me.
Together we put them back in place.
Together, I become a part of you,
As you do me.
One heart, two souls,
One love.”
He finished and looked at her, his eyes filled with emotion that he couldn’t hide. Tears were streaking down her cheeks and he reached gentle fingers out to wipe them.
Evie shook her head. “I changed my mind. I don’t need a bachelor’s degree. Or, wait,” her eyes brightened, “I’ll just transfer! Cal Poly’s in San Luis Obispo!”
He arched an eyebrow. “You planning to commute six hours a day? That’s more trouble than it’s worth. Besides, you already registered for this semester.”
She frowned. “It would be worth it if I could stay with you,” she murmured. She felt stupid for acting so needy, but she was terrified that if she left he would find someone better than her. She hated herself for her insecurity, but she’d never felt beautiful and had never been able to attract the attention of any man she’d liked. The men she’d liked in the past had been normal guys. Traevyn was extraordinary. She had a hard time believing that a bunch of normal guys had looked over her, but the most amazing man ever created wanted her.
“Have some faith in me, Evie,” he said, bringing his mouth close to her ear. “There is no one but you.”
Her eyes widened. Geez, was she that transparent? She sighed in defeat and leaned her forehead against his shoulder. She closed her eyes as his arms came around her, enveloping her in warmth.
“I want you to take this journal,” he said. “I made it for you. There is one poem or song for every week you are away from me. Read one every Monday; start your week off with love from me.” He pulled back and arched an eyebrow. “Do not cheat and read ahead.”
She smiled at him.
He held the book just out of her reach. “I want your word on that. I’ll know if you cheat.”
She put her hands on her hips. “How will you know?” she challenged.
“Because I can read your thoughts.” He grinned and slipped his arm around her waist.
“Oh yeah?”
He nodded and brought his lips to hover over hers, close enough to taunt her with his breath. “For instance, you desperately want to kiss me right now,” he whispered. He slowly ran his tongue along her bottom lip, causing her to draw in a shaky breath. He smirked. “Don’t you?”
She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him to her, fastening her lips to his. His arms went around her, pulling her up against his body and she went plaint in his embrace. He kissed her until she was dizzy, until her senses were filled with only him.
“Traevyn,” she gasped in between kisses, “I’m beginning to rethink this whole making love to you thing.”
He pulled away with a curious frown. “You mean right here in broad daylight against a tree with your brother up the road?”
She laughed at the picture he painted. “Not a good place for firsts?” she teased.
He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. He stepped back, handing her the journal. “Take this,” he said. “Don’t cheat.”
She grinned.
“I will be with you every day. I will call you every night.” He stepped close to her again in the sensual way that made her heart race. “And every dream you have will be haunted by me.” He kissed her again, slowly, languidly, as if trying to memorize the feel and taste of her. “Know I love you. Believe I love you. We will be together again soon.”
She nodded and clutched the journal close to her heart.
Traevyn smiled softly and put his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, angel,” he murmured. “You need to go.”
She sighed and followed him back up to the car, dragging her feet the entire way.
Seth was waiting patiently. He approached Evie with an understanding smile. “Hey Sis, let me drive okay?”
Evie nodded and handed him the car keys, knowing she would be in no condition to drive once they pulled away.
Seth took the keys and got in the car, giving Traevyn and Evie as much privacy as he could.
Traevyn kissed Evie one more time, then broke away, his emotion apparent as he drew in a shaky breath. “Get in the car, Evie,” he whispered. “Just go before I make you stay. This is killing me slowly.”
She looked up into his mesmerizing green eyes and whispered, “I love you.”
He took her face in his hands and stared intently into her eyes as if trying to drive home his point. “And I love you. Please call me when you get home. Let me know you’re safe.”
“I will.”
He pulled her to him, gave her a quick kiss, then turned away. “Go,” he rasped.
Evie bit her bottom lip and forced herself to get in the car. She hated the way the door slammed with a note of finality. She hated the way the engine started and, most of all, she hated watching Traevyn as he stood in the doorway, watching as they drove away, the wind tugging at his hair. Alone and stoic, the way she had found him…
She burst into tears and sobbed like a baby all the way back to the main road. She felt ridiculous, but she didn’t care. Her heart hurt. That was the only thing she knew for sure. Her heart hurt so badly she thought she would die.
Seth reached out and began to rub Evie’s neck gently. “Evie, you need to breathe,” he said. “You’re going to make yourself sick.”
She glanced over at him, briefly wondering who he was and what he had done with her brother. What pod person had replaced Seth Austin over the summer?
“Traevyn loves you,” he continued. “You guys will be fine. December’s not that far away.”
“But we just left him there all alone!” she cried. “And what if—”
“What if what?” he interrupted. “Don’t be stupid, Evie. He loves you. He’ll be fine. Traevyn was a lot worse off before you found him and he managed to survive. I’m sure he’ll survive now, and I really don’t think he’s the shopping around type of guy.” He gave her a pointed look. “He barely had contact with the outside world for three years. You think he’s going to go out and find a girl because he’s lonely? You, of all people, know him better than that.”
She sniffed. “I know. It’s just…” She sighed. “I’m just sad, Seth. I guess I’m trying to find reasons to justify it, but I’m just sad.”
He smiled a little. “Then be sad. You’re leaving the man you love. You don’t need a reason. That’s reason enough. Here.” He turned the radio to a soft rock station. “We’ll even listen to sappy love songs so you can wallow properly.”
She laughed, then sighed and leaned over to rest her head on Seth’s shoulder. Right about then, he felt like a pretty good support beam, much to her amazement.
His smile broadened. “Thanks, Evie,” he said.
“For what?”
“For the best summer of my life.”
* * * *
Evie was not in the mood to go to class, as was evident by her appearance. She was in a pair of plaid pajama pants and a black tank top, and she’d shoved a black beanie on over her pigtails. She’d somehow managed to force her way through Sociology and Italian and now she was on her way to Advanced Art. She gave a dismal sigh, moping all the way down the hall.
The first day of a new semester was always the worst. It was the day reality hit with blinding force and she realized that summer really was over. The only good part of her day had been the song of the week she’d read that morning in Traevyn’s journal. It had been Kiss From a Rose by Seal and the words had warmed her heart. For a moment, it had almost been as good as having him there with her.
With a yawn, Evie trudged into class and flopped into a seat. Her book bag was already nea
r to bursting with all the junk her professors had given her. Syllabuses and supply lists. All of the stuff she hated. Man, graduation couldn’t come fast enough to suit her.
People filed in and soon Professor Roth entered, looking way too perky for the first Monday of the semester.
“Hello everyone!” he greeted. “It’s good to see you all again! Hopefully your summers went well.”
Evie sighed again, this one even more dismal than the first.
“I have something exciting to share with you all,” he said. “Over the summer Evie got to be an apprentice for Traevyn Whitelaw at his home in Big Sur.”
Evie arched an eyebrow as everyone seemed to stare at her. Great. She smiled tremulously.
“No way!” someone shouted.
“What’s he like?” someone else asked.
“Hold on, hold on,” Professor Roth interrupted with a chuckle. “We’ll get there. As I was saying, Evie was able to spend her summer with Mr. Whitelaw and he has sent a letter for me to read to the class, along with a painting he’d like for me to display.”
Dread started to work its way through her. Something about all of this did not feel good to her.
“‘To all art students,’” Professor Roth began after unfolding a piece of paper. “‘I am writing this so that you may know that you have genius among you. I recently had the great pleasure of taking Miss Evelina Austin as my apprentice. Not only is she a brilliant artist, but she is a great inspiration, as I am sure many of you may already know. Her work is fresh and raw, portraying human emotion and depth excellently. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with her and I know she will go very far. I say this without bias and speak only from a professional standpoint.’” Professor Roth paused for a moment to shoot a proud grin Evie’s direction. “‘I have sent this painting because my life has been changed by Miss Austin’s radiant light and I wish to show you what she has inspired. She is truly an extraordinary person and a unique talent.
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