Page 9 of Culmination
“No, Gabriella. I was trying to save you.”
“I WAS TRYING TOsave you.”
I can’t get the words out of my mind. It’s like they’re playing on loop until they dig into my brain, burrowing so deep that I’ll never be able to escape them.
Before I can get my wits about me and ask for clarification, Adrian closes the distance between us and pulls me from the car and into his arms. I stand there, stock-still, as he wraps me in a surprisingly warm embrace. His head sinks, burying into the nape of my neck. I’d be lying if I said goose bumps don’t pebble my flesh when he inhales the scent of my skin.
“Adrian,” I whisper, wanting to push him away yet finding myself unable to do so. Something about this moment feels so right, even though my brain is screaming at me that it’s oh so wrong.
Perhaps I’m not as unbound to Adrian’s hold on me as I’d thought. The thought is enough for confusion and trepidation to seize hold of my head—and my heart. I freeze, blinking back errant tears I don’t quite understand. Beautiful memories cascade over me as he envelopes me in the warmth of his arms, and I can’t help the whimper that escapes my lips. From fear, longing, or complete shock, I’m not sure.
Why here? Why now?
They’re questions that would go unanswered.
He, however, reads me perfectly. Just as Adrian always had.
Without a word, he releases me from his hold. A strong, chilled hand rises to my face, where he trace a line from my temple to my jaw with his knuckles. Before I can react, he cups my chin, tilts my head back, and lowers his lips to mine, giving me the barest whisper of a kiss.
And then, as suddenly as he’d appeared, he’s gone.
Once again, I’m all alone.
The ride back into the city is silent save for all the wild, running thoughts in my mind. What had just happened?
The man at the cemetery was the Adrian I’d fallen in love with. That was the Adrian I’d wished to spend the rest of my life with. Why had he disappeared on me all those months ago? And more importantly, why was he back?
He was saving me? What could he possibly have meant?
It’s not until I’m nearly back to the hotel that I summon up the courage to call Rafe. Not because I;m afraid to tell him what I’d encountered, but because my emotions are running haywire and the last thing he needs to deal with is my unresolved feelings for my ex.
Who technically never became my ex.
Once again, Rafe doesn’t answer my call.
The rampancy of my emotional turmoil had my head pounding, so as soon I’m back in my room—still free of Rafe—I pour a warm bubble bath and sink deep into the depths of the tub. I try with all my might to get Adrian off my mind, to the point that my head starts to ache again, but I continuously fail.
So here I am, perplexed, frustrated, and unable to turn off my brain. Sighing, I allow the water to drain, wishing my emotions would swirl down along with it.
Just as I’m about to call Rafe for the third time since I’ve been back, I hear a knock at the door. I freeze, startled by the sudden noise. My unexpected visitor knocks again, this time with more impatience. I rise from the tub and fling my robe on, not bothering to dry myself off, amused that Rafe must’ve forgotten his room key.
After running across the room, I almost throw the door open, but I remember Rafe’s warning to always check the peephole.
When I do, I gasp audibly, giving away any chance of pretending I’m not here. Slowly, I undo the locks and open the door.
Then I stare out into the hall in disbelief at the woman standing in front of me.
“Hello, Brie,” she says in an all-too-familiar voice, albeit one I haven’t heard in ages.
“Dr. Sheridan?” My brows wrinkle in confusion. “What…what are you doing here? How did you find me?”
She gestures towards the hotel room behind me. “May I come in?”
“Oh, of course,” I tell her, widening the door just enough for her to enter. I peek my head out into the hallway, but find it’s completely empty.
Where the hell is Rafe, and how in the hell did this woman, my childhood doctor, know I was here?
When I pull myself back into the room and close the door, I ensure that all the locks are in place. Then I turn to face her. She’s set her briefcase on a table in the corner of a room.
