Page 10 of Blazing Desires
“Okay, I’ll respect that. But I need to run through a few security details with you before you get lost in another world.”
I chew my bottom lip at the thought to fight the grin. I can’t help it. I used to love watching her read, and how her emotions would play out across her face. Knowing I am close to being able to watch her again has me reeling through the details in record time. She has already flawlessly followed my instructions so far, so I am not about to treat her like she’s dumb by explaining everything in detail.
As much as I want a reaction from her, anything other than this closed-off version she is giving me, I prefer it to be a more positive one. She listens to everything I have to say, showing me the movements with each command and accepts that there will be times I have to touch her for her protection.
“Any questions?”
“No.”
Her head moves with the words, my eyes once again drawn to her hair. I burn with the need to touch it, to run my fingers through the silky strands, but I’ll wait for her to come back to me and when she does, I will savour every touch.
She will come back to me.
“Then you’re free to get back to your books, love.”
I turn towards the door, forcing myself to do something other than stare at her or reach out and touch her. She ambles her wayto the large sofa, a book already on the coffee table waiting for her.
“Are you leaving?”
The question halts me from opening the door, my hand pauses on the cool metal of the handle. I note the hint of panic in the question.
Interesting.
She might not remember me, or want me to touch her, for now, but she doesn’t seem to like the thought of me leaving. I fucking love the feeling it gives me, to be needed by her in some capacity.
I’m a bastard.
“No, I’m just getting my bags.”
I flash a reassuring smile over my shoulder before opening the door. I pick up the bags that had been dropped off after being searched and bring them in. I noticed there’s a space in her walk-in wardrobe that has a sticker ‘Reserved for Staff’ on it. Not that it needed to be reserved—Davina didn’t have that much of her own in there, only filling about a third of the space.
“Do you mind if I take up some space in your wardrobe?”
I glance over to where she has sunk into the cushions, the sofa enveloping her like a big hug. A fluffy blanket drapes across her lap, the book in her hands as she’s poised to open it. She frowns down at it.
“No one’s asked before.” She speaks softly and quietly. I have to strain to hear it before her features clear and I realise she is saying it to herself. “Of course, use what you need. There are some drawers free in the centre island and in the bathroom cabinet as well for your toiletries.”
Her focus stays on the worn book in her hands. I notice the title and my eyes widen at the sight. It’s the same book I used to read to her—I hadn’t spotted it when doing my sweep. I smile atall the memories that come with seeing her still reading it after all this time.
Pretty Power.
The spine is cracked and worn, the pages yellowed with time, and I’m surprised she has kept it—she hates cracked spines. But I had given her this copy,my copy. And here she is reading it again on the same day I start working for her father. I’m not a believer in fate, but it feels like something has aligned in the universe at this moment. That maybe she still holds on to the memory of me too.
I’ll make her remember me.
Chapter 5
Promise Me
Davina
Mea Divina.
Two words, spoken with the ghosts of a thousand memories between them. The words play over and over and over again in my mind, falling from Blaze’s lips.
How did he know that nickname? Why did he sound like he’d been the one to give it to me? Could it be…? No.
It must be a coincidence, or that he’s thorough at his job. But that doesn’t stop me from feeling like I know him. I rub my temples with my fingers and try to pay attention to my book, my favourite in my entire collection.
