Page 56 of Restored

“Do you want me to stop?” Power curls inside of me, dances over my body.

“No,” I whisper, hardly registering my answer. I blink open my eyes to be met with Ledger’s hooded gaze. My face is inches from his, and I’m leaning into him, chasing more of what he’d just inflicted upon me.

A fiery longing seeps into my veins as he inches impossibly closer, making my heart stutter. “My power is rather fond of you, too.” His voice grates against my skin. He stops, staying perfectly still. I can feel his breath warm against my mouth and shudder closer.

My heart pounds in my ears as he waits for my next move.I cannot do this with him, can’t let this go any further. I must heal his father and get back to Bellehaven. Thiswould complicate things— but I amsotired of denying myself even the simplest of desires.

My tongue darts out, wetting my lips and his eyes dip, tracking the movement. I lean closer until our lips brush.

The small contact makes my head spin. An insatiable hunger I’ve never felt overtakes my body. Ravenous. This man makes me absolutely ravenous.

I wonder if this infatuation, this all-consuming desire, is what my mother had felt for my father. If that is why she had been so destroyed when she lost him.

The thought scares me more than I care to admit.

I let out a sharp breath before jerking away. I force myself to step back, even when my body and power want to rebel against the movement. His power recedes back into him. “I should go to bed.” I avoid his eyes, my trembling hand fisting a bloodied cotton pad.

“What are you so scared of, blondie?” I can feel his eyes on me, blazing a path wherever they travel.

“I’m not scared.” Another lie as I dare a look at him. His face doesn’t show a hint of irritation or confusion. Like always he doesn’t give away much, just an unwavering silent confidence.

“Is ithim? Is that what is holding you back?” He frowns as he asks the question. I can’t deny the feelings Ledger elicits from me, but they feel like a betrayal to Maddox.

I love Maddox. He’s handsome, funny, and knows me better than I know myself. He’d fought for me so fiercely,and knowing him, he wouldn’t stop until my return. The kiss we shared proved there could be more between us, that it could easily blossom into something incredible. But I didn’t know if I could let myself go there.

The newfound desire for Ledger shocks me. It’s getting harder to deny the connection we are forming. I’m fighting desperately to deny my feelings because there isn’t a reality where I can stay in Westray. I have to go back to Bellehaven; emotionally investing myself in this beautiful man will do nothing but destroy me.

I have to keep him at a distance. He wasn’t part of the deal. No matter how much I want him, I just can’t see past the devastation my attachment to him would cause.

“Yes, it’s him.” I say what I believe will deter him and force my foot another step back.

Ledger shakes his head once, his lip barely tipping up. “I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that from the moment I laid eyes on you, I have been painfully uninterested in anything that does not involve you. I need your power, but I want much more than that.”

My heart gallops in my chest and my palms sweat. I struggle for a response as my eyes flick to his door. “It’s late.” I round his bed, and he stands.

“Layla?” he calls as my fingers brush the cool metal of the doorhandle.

“Yes?” I breathe, pausing.

“Do you think you can forgive me for the unforgiveable things I’ve done.?”

“I already have.”

Mia findsme in the library the next morning. I am skimming the three open books in front of me when she walks in.

“I thought you were hiding from me.”

“Not hiding, just trying to figure out any solution to help Ledger’s father. This morning, Humphrey told me his condition has started to worsen, and now it feels like I’m working against the clock.”

“How long have you been here?” Her eyebrow quirks as she eyes my wild hair and the bags under my eyes.

“Since last night.” I glance out the window, wincing against the brightness of the sun. I’d gone straight to the library after leaving Ledger’s room. I knew I wouldn’t be able to find sleep. I can hardly seem to remove Ledger and my impending future from my thoughts.

“Find anything useful?” She leans down fingering the open books strewn around the table.

“Not yet, but I’m sure it’s here.” I lick my finger turning the page.

“Why don’t you take a break, train with me for an hour or two?” I continue reading, mouthing the words as she speaks. “Give your eyes a break.” She shuts the book I’m scanning and holds it out of my reach. I open my mouth to object but when I see the determined look on her face, I snap my lips closed.

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