Page 52 of Forbidden Bastard
Without Sandi. He could go to his office, check out art pieces and match who would like what. He closed his eyes and saw how empty his life had been. “If one or two of the pieces catch my attention, I’ll give the artist special treatment. Is Chelsea one of your clients still?”
"Yes," Sheena said.
Good. Soon no one in Avce would talk to him, but at least he could repay Sheena's kindness. “I saw her work at the palace. If she has any more pastoral scenes of vineyards, I might know a few buyers.”
“I’ll let her know.”
Bench-pressing was next now that he'd warmed up his arms. “If that’s all, I need to get to sleep now.”
“Of course. Night.” They hung up.
For a few minutes Charles stopped thinking about anything other than how far he could stretch his body.
He needed this--to build up a burn.
Once finished, he took a water bottle from a small fridge in the corner of the room and gulped it down.
Next he dressed, then flung open the door, intent on that glass of wine now, but Bernard stood like he was at attention and waiting for him. “Your Grace.”
The butler hadn't been sovisible before today. Charles lifted his brow and asked, “Has Miss Smith left the maze?”
Lightning flashed outside the windows, brightening the halls as Bernard said, “No, Your Grace, and it’s going to pour rain soon.”
Sandi was smart and capable. She didn’t need him to run in to rescue her. He lowered his head. “I’m not sure…”
“Go,” Bernard said, like he was the one making the calls.
But Sandi hated him. He widened his stance and shook his head. “She wishes to be alone.”
Thunder pierced the air.
Bernard was right.
“Never mind. I’m going.”
Bernard walked him toward the side door closest to the maze and opened the coat closet door. “Bring her an umbrella, Your Grace. No woman likes to be wet and miserable the night before her wedding.”
Bernard handed him one of the black servant's umbrellas meant to escort an important guest to keep them dry. Charles took it. “I can… ensure she’s safe.” Other than that? It was out of his hands.
He opened the door, but Bernard also handed him two rain jackets. Charles shrugged the male coat over his t-shirt but carried the small light-purple one for Sandi.
As he headed into the maze, the first cool drops hit his nose.
If she was still out here, he should have come sooner.
It didn’t matter if she hated him or not. Safety was first. The rain pellets hit harder. “Sandi?” But she didn’t answer. Thunder crashed. He continued forward and said a little prayer that Bernard was wrong, and she'd left to the guest house already.
The rain grew heavier and he opened the umbrella as he said to the hedges, “You probably can’t hear me.” Nothingness stared back at him. He continued on but saw no signs of her.
She was probably in her bed, sleeping. He said out loud, “You don’t have to love me back. I’d marry you if you said yes anyway.” Rain drops echoed and it sounded like every drop was another laugh in his face that he wasn’t the guy who gets the girl. He stuck his hand in the pocket of the rain jacket. “But that’s probably too much to hope for.” He turned another corner and continued talking out loud, “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
When he rounded the next section of the maze, he found Sandi. Her red hair clung to her pale face, her green eyes big. She quickly stood and wiped her backside that must be soaked. “Charles?”
He wrapped the jacket around her and ensured she was under the umbrella. She trembled. He should have come sooner. “I came to bring you this.”
He removed his arm from her shoulders so she could slip her hands into the sleeves of the rain jacket. She glanced up and said, “Please don’t go.”
Was he supposed to leave her? His skin was on high alert. He half-wondered if he carried her out of here, if he would get her inside faster, but other than wet she just seemed… sad. His jaw clenched. “Seeing you… I’m glad you're okay.” He wanted to stop feeling this pain.
