Page 30 of Brambles and Bellflowers
“The eighteenth century is notmedieval.” Frustration made my vision turn red, and I couldn’t decide whether to punch something or scream. I rubbed my temples. “You said it was a long time ago. How long are we talking?”
We’d better be talking about some ancient—
“Well,” Damen began, stroking his chin. “We last got together about three days before I met you. We had this on-and-off thing for about a year, but it’s all casual. I saw other people on the side, and no one was attached. It was fun.”
It hadn’t even been a month!
I wrapped my arms over my head, pressing my face into the table. This was too much. I could not deal with this man.
“Bianca,” Damen said, pressing into my side. His presence fell over me, and when he spoke next, there was a command to his voice I couldn’t ignore. “Look at me.”
I turned slightly, moving my arm only enough to glimpse at him. His expression was uncharacteristically serious and more imposing than usual.
Seeing him—his angular jaw firmly set and eyes blazing—took my breath away.
“YouknowI’ve slept with other women,” he said. “I’ve refused to keep these things a secret. And we are going to struggle to find common ground. We’regoingto clash. The two of us represent the most outgoing elements, and we’ve always been aggressive personalities.”
I wasnotaggressive, and I was definitely not outgoing.
In fact, I was as introverted as introverts could be.
“But I can promise you this,” he said, grabbing my hand. He turned my wrist and began to trace a line in the center of my palm. “I refuse to screw things up this time. Now that you’re here and willing, I won’t give you up.”
What in theworldwas he talking about?
“I’m not going to apologize for my past,” he continued. “Whatever happenedhadto happen for us to get to where we are today. But from this point forward, I swear you have my future. I willnotfuck this up, andwhenI take you out on a date, it won’t be to a place like this. It’ll be something much more memorable.”
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst, and an internal voice screamed at me that this was a profound moment. Damen was a free spirit, not one to be contained or easily controlled.
I didn’t get the feeling he pledged his loyalty lightly.
Yet none of this changed the fact that he’d slept with Miles’s sister. I wasn’t even offended on my own behalf… mostly.
“Here are your breadsticks.” A basket was dropped on the table, and Colette glared at Damen’s hand. “I decided to bring them out myself.”
This time, Damen didn’t pull away from me. Instead, he entwined his fingers with mine. “Have you heard from Miles?” he asked again.
She blinked, frowning at him. “No,” she said, furrowing her brow. “Why?”
“He disappeared, and I didn’t know if he’d talked to you first,” Damen explained.
“Okay.” The confused expression remained as she lifted her brow. “It’s not like this is anything new. Leave him alone. He’ll come home when he feels like it. Besides,” Colette said, popping her hip, “wouldn’t you be able to feelif something happened to him through your stupid bond? Why do you care now?”
“I always care…” Damen narrowed his eyes at her. “And a little respect would be nice.”
“Shove your respect.” Colette snatched the basket off the table. “Everyone else might think you’re something special, but that means nothing to me. You play your games. Meanwhile, I’ll stay groundedin the real world.”
I was tempted to reach for the breadsticks as they’d been so tragically taken away, yet I was also drawn to the conversation.
“Um…” I began. My confidence wavered as she turned her acute gaze to me. “A-a-aren’t you a witch?” Didn’t Miles say once that she wasn’t an officer?
“No.” Her heart-shaped face flushed into a light pink, and her eyebrow twitched. “Everyone takes this idiocy way too seriously. Miles decided to get involved, so whatever—I can’t stop him. But don’t expect me to take part.”
My pulse raced, and I had no idea what to say. I honestly hadn’t meant to offend her. But this was clearly a topic she felt strongly about.
“I changed my mind,” she told Damen. “I want you to leave. I’d rather not see your face for a while.”
The return drivewas mostly silent as Damen glared over the steering wheel.
