Page 13 of Miss Merry and Mr. Bright
So while she sleeps, I slowly move away from her and plan. My head won’t rest so I slip out of the bed and run down to my studio.
Like an obsessed asshole, I set up my easel and my paints and the whole thing comes so easy.
Her soft skin, her lush curves lit with the fire’s glow and the dancing colors of the Christmas tree.
I don’t usually paint nudes but it’s like I can’t stop myself from remembering the night. Remembering how she looked, tasted, smelled.
Every single piece of her. Every move she made and every damn crazy thing I said.
Until dawn breaks and the walls light up with golden light. Pale, watery light. The clouds are building again and there’s another storm coming. I can feel it in my bones. Feel it settle in my chest like a weight that’s dragging me down.
Then my shoulders stiffen as I hear her shuffling lightly down the stairs. She comes inside and wraps her arms around me and I drop my head, wanting so much to touch her, kiss her, claim her.
But that way leads to madness and anger. Just like my father. And I’m not him. I refuse to be him.
I stiffen and feel her arms drop to my sides as she steps back, her eyes on me.
I don’t look at her. Just move to the window watching the next storm move in, the snow starting to fly, the air rushing past the window pane and rattling it like a thief trying to break in.
“I should get out there and make sure that everything’s secure. It looks like this one is going to be a lot worse than the last one. You should make sure that you’re ready for the power to go out like the last time.”
“Jasper? What’s going on?”
“We’ve got a lot of things to do to get ready for this storm. I’m afraid I don’t have time to chit-chat this morning. If you need anything, just let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
“I do need something. I need for you to look at me and tell me what the hell is going on?”
Locking down my feelings, I turn to look at her. “There’s a storm coming. We need to be prepared.”
Her wide eyes fill with tears and I fight to keep from touching her. “I thought you were the one, Jasper. That’s what you said last night. Was that just something you say to all women to get in their pants? Did I ever mean anything to you?”
I don’t answer her, silently watching as her eyes close and a tear trickles down her cheek, sparkling like a damn diamond.
Then she straightens and opens her eyes, her own gray eyes cold and hard. “Right. Well, let’s get ready.”
And then she stalks out of the room and away from me and my whole body aches to follow her, hold her.
But I’m not my father. I can’t let the same things that destroyed him, destroy me.
Even if I have to give up every damn good thing in my life.
8
MEN ARE STUPID AND I’M DONE!
MERRY BARTHOLOMEW
Men are idiots. Every damn one of them can’t see a good thing without wanting to ruin it.
And I’m done. I do not need this shit. If he wants to be alone….fine.
I throw my clothes in my suitcase and then slam it shut. Dropping it to the ground, I yank at the handle and jerk the rolling case after me as I jerk my coat and hat on.
Glancing out the window, I don’t see him and I open the door, letting it close behind me.
The wind whips at me, dragging at my breath until it stutters in my chest. My fingers are so cold that they curl up.
I throw my suitcase in the car and then sit in the driver’s seat, sticking the key inside and waiting as I turn it.
