Page 15 of Blazing Desires
Chapter 7
Alive
Davina
Iam incapable of controlling my reactions around this man, and that terrifies me.
I finally feel alive for the first time in so long, and it’s invigorating. My cheeks are still flushed from the way his voice sounded, all husky and warm like a soft caress of velvet over my skin. My body is tuned to the way his intense gaze studies my mouth as I close it around the banana.
Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
I should be worrying, but I can only feel a nervous excitement. Forget butterflies—whenever his deep voice slips into that tone, I feel like I’m on the most epic rollercoaster, the kind you want to ride over and over again to experience the rush.
I finish the banana, place the skin on the plate with the salad, and go back to reading my book. The table of food looks so sorry for itself that I refuse to bring myself to eat it. It’s devoid of joy, and I swear I can see the salad leaves wilting before my eyes if I squint at them. I only read a couple of pages before Blaze disturbs the quiet of the room.
“Finish your lunch.”
He’s back to his gruff, bossy tone, bouncing back to his broody side. I don’t bother glancing up to give my reply. “I'm not hungry. Have some if you’d like.”
“I've got my own, but you need to eat.”
Thatgets my attention. I place my book in my lap again, snapping my eyes to the trolley he rolled in earlier, ignoring his second command for me to eat. I didn’t notice there was more on it—all I’d seen was him and the miserable array put before me.
He’s right, I haven’t been paying attention.
“Then why aren't you eating it?”
My tone is quizzical to hide the challenge, I’m being petty, but he makes me comfortable enough to be. He sighs loudly as if I’ve asked a dumb question, which only makes me more confused, but I try to keep my face neutral. His uncanny ability to be able to read me so easily unnerves me.
“I'm waiting for you to finish your lunch first before I tuck into mine. So, if you wouldn't mind…”
He waves his hand at the table instead of finishing his sentence.Fucking eat,I would guess he was about to say.
"I'm not hungry," I repeat.
He drags both hands down his face, clearly exasperated by me, but I have no idea why he's being so dramatic about this.
“Why are you so frustrated, Blaze?”
"You need to fucking eat, love. You won't be starving yourself in protest under my watch."
"I'm not a child, Blaze, and this isn’t a protest. I just don't want to eat food that looks that sad. It’s wilting before my eyes." I wiggle my fingers at the food and scrunch my nose up before adding quietly, "Besides, I'm already sad enough".
“What do you mean,Mea Divina?”
There’s an edge to his voice and I nearly choke on nothing at the thought of him hearing me admit that out loud. No way am I repeating it.
"Huh?" I feign ignorance, hoping he drops the subject.
He doesn't. "What was that last thing you said?" He quirks his brow, challenging me.
“Oh, umm..., I—" I rummage through my brain, trying to think of a response that won't make me sound as pathetic as what I actually said will. "I said, eating alone would be sad."
I'm a fucking genius.
His brow is still quirked and I'm not sure he believes me. I shouldn’t be thinking he’s sexy when he looks at me like that, but I do. What I would give to run my fingers over his brows, his nose, his cheekbone, and jaw. I just know it would feel incredible to commit the shape of him to memory.
Stop thinking about touching him.
