Page 44 of Duality

“We would never get in the way of that. Although I will get in the way of you working these ridiculous hours. That should have tipped me off more than anything.”

She huffed but smiled. “Adrian was always on me for not sleeping,” she admitted, her cheeks pink as she looked away.

I squeezed her hand, and she looked back at me. “I’m glad,” I said softly, “that Adrian kept an eye on you. Not because of SDS, but because you deserve people in your corner.”

From the little bit that Evelyn had opened up about her past, I knew her parents had hurt her badly, and I knew she had only told us the surface level of the true story. The whole system had failed her, and I didn’t blame her for her hyper-independence. But she had us in her corner now, if she would just let us be there for her.

I had never answered her question, so I continued. “After this is all over, there’s still a position for you at SDS if you want it. And we will help the Archers in any way we can.”

“Why?” Evelyn’s voice was small, almost child-like, and she closed her eyes as if she didn’t mean the word to slip out.

“Because you matter. You matter to us.”

Her hazel eyes flew open. They were wide and searching, and I willed her to understand what I meant.

“What do you want from me?” she whispered.

I smiled. “Everything,” I confessed.

I tugged on her hand, guiding her up and out of her chair until she settled on my lap. She moved like she was in a trance, but I gave her every opportunity to pull away. I cradled her in my lap, holding her like the precious gift she was. When she tilted her head back, lifting her lips almost like an offering, I couldn’t resist.

I brushed my lips against her softly, my hold loose in case she pulled away. I didn’t want to trigger her in any way, so I kept my hands soft as I rubbed her back. A shaky gasp slipped through her parted lips, and I kissed her softly, moving one of my hands to cradle the back of her head. I lost myself in the taste of her, thesweetness of the tea and honey clinging to her lips, and the spicy sweet taste that was all her. My fierce warrior.

If I hadn’t been paying such close attention to her, I would have missed when her muscles stiffened. I broke the kiss instantly, giving her space. She rested her cheek against my chest as she breathed heavily. The primal part of me roared in approval of the effect I had on her. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Her breath hitched, but I forced myself to let her go, nudging her gently to her feet and grabbing her mug.

“Come on. Let’s get you into bed.”

I half expected her to push me away when we got to the door of her bedroom, but she just clung to my hand. Her bedroom was painted in a bold but soothing deep peacock green color. Silver wallpaper covered the wall against the back of the house, framing the windows with their view out into the forest behind the house. My feet sank into the deep cream carpet, and I quickly toed off my shoes, dropping to my knees to slip Evelyn’s from her feet as well.

I guided her into the bathroom, passing by the large closet to the right. I left her in the bathroom as I went into the closet. I paused when I flicked on the light and chuckled under my breath. I figured out another way Evelyn kept her two lives so separate. One side of her closet was full of familiar outfits I recognized from the office. The other side was full of dark jewel colors and black clothing she wore when she led the Archers. On the back wall, I found a shelf full of comfy clothes, and I snagged a pajama set for her.

I knocked on the bathroom door softly. Evelyn opened it, her face pink from where she’d scrubbed it with a washcloth. She had thrown her hair in a messy braid over her shoulder, and the soft look had me aching to kiss her again. Instead, I pressed the clothes into her hand without a word and headed back into thebedroom before I did something stupid and pushed her before she was ready.

Soft footsteps sounded behind me as I straightened up from pulling the covers back on the bed. Evelyn stood there, looking lost as she folded her arms across her chest. It was like no one had ever cared for her like this. No one probably ever had. I shoved the anger down in my chest at the thought of her parents and every person who ever failed her. I couldn’t do anything about that now. But I could show her what it would be like to be ours.

I gestured towards the bed. “All ready for you, milady?” I bowed exaggeratedly, taking a page from Sebastian’s playbook with some silliness. I was rewarded with her throaty laughter.

“Thank you, kind sir.” She curtsied and scooted past me. I turned to leave, knowing if I stayed any longer, I wouldn’t be able to force myself out of the room.

“Alexander?” Her soft voice stopped me.

“Yes, Evelyn?” I turned back towards her.

She was chewing her lip, staring down at her lap. I had never seen her look so indecisive or vulnerable before.

“Will you stay?” she asked, looking up at me. I wanted to pump my fist, but I just nodded and moved slowly around to the other side of the bed. I usually slept in boxers, but I didn’t dare take off any clothing tonight.

“There should be some old sweatpants of Danny’s in the bottom drawer of the nightstand,” she said softly. “If you want to get changed.”

I nodded, pulling open the drawer. I didn’t ask her why he had clothes in her room. I had sat with Sebastian outside her door the other night and listened to her nightmares. If I were her cousin, I wouldn’t have been able to stay outside without soothing her. I slipped into the bathroom to change, and when I came out, she had turned off the lamp. Soft moonlight streamedin through the windows and guided my path. I slipped under the sheets, lying next to her but not touching her. She shifted slowly at first, moving until her back was pressed against my side. I shifted to lie on my side and pulled her back into my chest.

“Is this okay?” I asked quietly.

She nodded but didn’t say a word.

I stayed still, not daring to move even when her breathing evened out and she fell asleep. I wanted to crow from the rooftops that this woman was mine, but I knew that would scare her off. So until then, I would be here for her in whatever way she needed, because I was never letting her go now.

CHAPTER 21