Page 11 of I see you Beauty

With burning cheeks and a pounding heart, I turn away and head for the shower. I need to clear my head. I should forget this day as soon as possible and not give it a second thought. And yet, I can’t help the gentle smile that steals onto my lips.

On the way to the bathroom, my cell phone suddenly vibrates. I go to my bedside table, where I’ve plugged it in to charge, and look at the screen—a message from Thomas.

Forgive me!

I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.

—Thomas

My guilty conscience is gnawing at me because I haven’t thought about Thomas for a second. Not about our argument or our marriage, which I’m endangering with my embarrassing behavior. Enough of this now, Cora!

No more embarrassing teenage behavior and no more thoughts about the hot neighbor!

Chapter Eight

Islept badly. I kept thinking about Thomas and our argument, desperately trying to forget my little misstep in the pool. Yesterday, I was incredibly reckless in more than one regard. I don’t want to think about Ezra and his charm. It makes me uneasy and questions things. But I have nothing to question in my life.

I. Am. Happy!

Thankfully, June spent last night at a friend’s house. I wanted to be alone and wouldn’t have been able to keep up the fake smile. She would have seen right through me and asked why her father wasn’t coming home. I didn’t want to drag her into this messy situation. All I wanted to do today was hide in my bedroom, but that’s impossible because Thomas wants to take me out for a fancy dinner tonight to make up for his misbehavior yesterday.

To distract myself, I’ve decided to go to the garden center. It always relaxes me when I buy a new beautiful plant for my beloved garden—my haven of peace and refuge.

Once there, I head straight outside to the spacious outdoor area. It’s almost like a maze, and I can let my mind wander as I look around at all the beautiful flowers, shrubs, and potted plants. I cherish this space and its delightful scents. Today, however, my visit isn't just about enjoying the garden. I'm considering purchasing a new garden shed, as the current one has seen better days.

I stroll through the little labyrinth of corridors and paths. Here and there, I stop in front of one of the model sheds set up, thinking about whether it would suit our garden and how everything might harmonize.

I’m entirely at ease and in my little world. I feel comfortable here because, for once, no one is telling me what to do or what not to do. This place is about me and my thoughts, my tastes, and way of seeing things. And even if it’s something as small as choosing a garden shed, I don’t let it take away my joy.

A dark blue shed in the far corner catches my attention. I inspect it further and am about to see the inside for myself. But as I open the door, someone suddenly pushes me in from behind. I gasp in shock but can’t think of anything else to say. I am far too taken by surprise to react.

My heart races and my thoughts spiral out of control, leaving me uncertain of what will happen next. The stranger shuts the door, plunging the small room into dim light filtered through the frosted glass window, then presses me against the wall. The scent of lacquered wood and dust fills the air, but then a familiar aftershave mixed with leather catches my attention. I lift my head and, to my shock, see Ezra standing before me, his hands resting on the wood to my left and right.

Though he's so close, he leaves just enough space to avoid making me feel threatened, despite being the one who put me in this situation. I swallow hard, my mouth dry and my heart pounding so fiercely against my chest that I fear it might leap out if I'm not careful.

“Hello, Cora,” he murmurs my name in that mysterious way as if it belongs only to him.

His smoky voice sends another shiver down my spine. I’m unsure what he’s doing here, how he found me, or what he wants from me, but the anticipation captivates me. Excites me. Just like he and his presence do.

“Ezra,” I whisper because that’s all I can get out.

His alert gaze burns into mine, and I bite my lower lip uncertainly. He looks down at my lips, and his hand finds its way to my cheek. Ezra gently strokes my heated skin and my face burns again with shame. Even if I don’t want to react, I can’t help it. This guy is so upsetting and takes my breath away, even though he screams danger, and I shouldn’t be excited about that—but it does. He does.

I shouldn’t feel a nervous flutter of butterflies in my stomach. My heart shouldn't be galloping wildly in my chest like a Mustang reveling in the freedom of the prairie. And my lips shouldn’t start tingling from his hot breath hitting them and him being so close to me, his lips only inches away.

“What are you doing here?” I say in a raspy voice, because I have to say something, don’t I? Stop us from doing something stupid. I can’t be here with you… alone.

His thumb continues to caress my heated cheek tenderly. He gently pulls away from me again, and his gaze wanders back and forth between my lips and eyes as if he can’t decide which one he prefers to look at.

“What am I doing here?” he repeats my question and steps closer to me so our bodies are now touching.

I lick my lips uncertainly and look up at him. Ezra seems so strong and is so incredibly handsome… Stop it, Cora! My inner voice warns me and smacks my fingers before I burn myself touching him.

“I’m pulling myself together. But I don’t know how long I can do that before I…”

“Before you…?” I whisper and swallow as his thumb traces the contours of my lower lip.

“I do this,” he replies, and his lips come dangerously close to mine.

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