Chapter 5
A Full Circle
I wake up to the light blaring through the enormous window of the room, feeling an arm wrapped around me in a comforting embrace. I turn to face Hale, and I’m a little confused. My leg wraps around his waist, my hand strides through his hair, and my lips almost touch his. I quickly withdraw when he stirs, keeping my touch a secret.
His eyes flutter open, and he stares into mine for a brief second before withdrawing from his embracing position.
“Sorry,” he murmurs while sitting up and avoiding further eye contact with me.
“It’s fine. Did something happen?” I worry, and I climb to my knees to gauge his odd reaction.
“You started screaming for me in your sleep. The only time you would stop is when I was holding you,” he mutters, and then he stands to his feet.
Oh fuck. I thought that was just a dream.
“I’m so sorry,” I grumble, and my head flops down in my hands.
“You’ve had a traumatic loss. There’s nothing to be sorry for. You hungry?” he asks while walking out.
“Not really. This meeting has me a little too nervous to eat.”
“I feel the same way,” he exhales, and then he returns with a glass of orange juice for me instead. “I called Wendy to see if there were any other rooms available, but we’re a little overbooked due to all the damages we received to the east half. Her room is too small for you to stay with her unless you don’t mind sleeping on the floor or sharing a twin size bed with her. She only has a chair there, and I doubt that would be comfortable. Clay has… a guest staying with him,” he chuckles out, and then he turns more serious. “Just stay here until we can make other arrangements, and I’ll keep sleeping on the couch. It’s very comfortable believe it or not, though I didn’t actually sleep on it long.”
I slide over closer to him, and he stands up just before my bare leg grazes his hand.
“I’m going to send Wendy to collect your clothes. Is there anything else you want her to get while she’s there?” he asks very stiffly.
“My makeup, toothbrush, and other essentials. She’ll know what a girl needs,” I sigh out.
“You’re not going to argue with me about staying here?” he asks skeptically.
“I trust you’re being honest with your reasoning, and I don’t really see a better option,” I say with a shrug, and I’m praying I’m not transparent.
He’s doing exactly what I asked him to, and now I’m fucking pissed that he doesn’t seem the least bit interested. His body looks too damn good not to touch, and his lips are too soft not to feel on some part of my body.
I just broke up with Brazen. I have to stop this.
He almost smiles, but he catches himself. He starts to turn to leave, and I stare down at the black opal on my hand. I fight off the tears as I remove it for the first time.
“Hale?” I whimper, and he quickly rejoins me. “Will you have Wendy leave this behind?” I murmur softly.
“I will,” he says gently, and my arms wrap around him in the embrace I need right now.
He returns the embrace with one of compassion, though its mingled with rigid posture. I feel as though I’ve destroyed his feelings for me with one sharp, cutting delivery.
“I need to go catch up with her before the meeting,” he shakily replies, and I realize my shirt has lifted slightly too far when I wrapped my arms around him, leaving my bare lower half exposed while pressed against him.
I just nod as he walks out, and then I sigh as I stare at the picture of me above the bed. So long ago I could just love him without any reservations. Now, I’ve got him and Brazen fucking with my mind.
I pull on my high-waist, black pencilskirt, and I leave the top two buttons of my crisp white shirt undone. I smirk as I fluff my hair, and then I very leisurely strut through the rest of Hale’s home to find him.
I’m curious where he is when I don’t see him, and I look out the window overlooking the back side of the compound to see him talking with several construction workers beside the hybrid school. Tears start to whelp up, and I start fanning to dry them up before they drench my eyes.
He straightens his tie before walking back toward the massive building we’re in, and then I take a deep breath. He’s fast, so he’ll be here any second. I check the mirror to make sure my makeup hasn’t smudged, and then the door creaks open to reveal the man I can’t get out of my head.
“You ready?” he asks before his eyes find mine.
“No, but I don’t think it matters,” I sigh out, and he swallows hard while adjusting his tie.
