Gemma
Lightning exploded inside Gemma’s body. She was sure every single part of her was on fire from his touches.
An inferno raged between her legs, and she wanted Theo more than anything she had ever wanted in her entire life.
His body was so hard, just like she knew it would be. She had a strong desire to trace the dragon tattoo that started on his chest and wound itself around to his back. She wanted to taste the saltiness of his skin. More than anything, she wanted to follow the trail of hair that started just below the hollow of his throat and led into his pants.
Although Gemma was very innocent, she knew how things worked, and she felt an emptiness inside her that only Theo could fill.
Gemma wasn’t sure how to tell him what she wanted, so she asked, “Is this part of my training?”
Apparently, that was the absolute wrong thing to say. She felt the change in his attitude before he even moved or stopped kissing her. It was as though she had thrown a bucket of cold water over his head.
As soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, he pulled back. His mouth left hers, and he raised and stared into her eyes for a moment.
Instantly, the look of wanting was replaced by a coldness. It was not the warm and inviting look he had a half-second ago. It was an icy stare that pierced her heart. The look that came over his face was enough to break her.
“Yes,” he said, his voice hard. “But I think we’ve both had enough for today. As you mentioned earlier, you’ve had a very long day, and you’re tired. You should get some rest. You have a long day tomorrow. There is food in the fridge for you.”
He grabbed his shirt and strode out of the room without looking back. It was almost as though he had finished a job he had found distasteful and was in a hurry to distance himself from it. Theo acted like he couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
Gemma picked up her bra and shirt, hurrying into it, suddenly embarrassed by her nakedness.
She sat on the couch, feeling bereft. He had seemed like he really wanted her. She didn’t think he was faking his actions. At least not all of it. But then, he got up and walked away from her as though what they had been doing was nothing more than just a practice, a play session that meant absolutely nothing to him. She didn’t know what she had done wrong, but she did know she would give anything to take back those words.
However, it had meant a great deal to her. It hadn’t been easy to open herself to him, physically. When she did, though, it had also opened something inside her. She had wanted him with a fierceness she never knew existed.
As she sat alone at the dinner table trying to eat the dinner he had left for her, she struggled to swallow the food. Suddenly, she had completely lost her appetite.
She waited there, though, drinking a soda, hoping he would come in and talk to her. Even if he wasn’t going to kiss her and make love to her, she still enjoyed his company. Theo had been so nice to her, and they had been having a lot of fun – at least she thought they had. She really hated it when he got that cold, hard look in his eyes and stared at her as though she was no more than an obligation he had to take care of so he could move on with his life. When he got those looks in his eyes, Theo made her feel she was nothing to him.
Maybe she needed to grow up and face the fact she was nothing to him. She thrust herself upon him when she clearly wasn’t wanted. She had forced him to protect her because of a vow made a hundred years ago when she wasn’t even born yet. Gemma needed to realize she was still there, in his home, and in his life because of a sense of honor and nothing else.
She was developing feelings for him. It was more than just physical feelings – wanting him to touch her and kiss her, and more. She was falling in love with him.
She reminded herself that she was only going to get hurt if she let herself have any kind of romantic notions. He was kissing her and touching her so she could have his scent on her, which was his way of protecting her and fulfilling his vow.
In her secret heart of hearts, she also hoped that he might have been developing feelings for her too. She had hoped that after all of this was over, and her birthday had come and gone, that he was her happily ever after.
Shaking her head, she knew it was simply wishful thinking on her part. He had made it clear he was still in love with Savannah, who had died so long ago. He had made it clear that he wanted nothing more than to die so he could be with Savannah.
She had to block her emotions and separate any kind of feelings from the actions and physical touching they shared. She needed to look at the situation for what it was. She was acting a part so she could stay alive. There was nothing more to it.
However, that night as she tried to sleep, a single tear slid down her cheek. She was afraid it was already too late.
