Chapter 20 Issues
Lana's POV
After Miranda left, Arden sat down on the bar stool and his whole mood was changed. He began to eat his sandwich as I finished mine. I continued to stare at him as I swallowed what I chewed. He was quiet. I know that it was to do with what his sister was telling me.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yes." he said as he chewed.
"Miranda seems nice," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I guess she is," he replied.
"Were you both close once before?"
"Yes we were, before she became a disappointment," he said in a clipped tone.
"I hope that she proves herself and that she is a great mom to Terry," I stated.
"Me too," he said. I got up from the bar stool as I could still feel the tension radiating off from him. I think Miranda just made things a bit worse.
I took my plate and I washed it up in the sink. "I think that I should go back to my apartment," I said.
"Why?" he asked so quickly after that. I turned around to face him, his brows were furrowed.
"It feels as if I'm not wanted here, your tone is clipped," I said.
"I'm sorry. Please stay," he said, pleading with his eyes.
"Okay," I walked over to him and I placed a chaste kiss on his cheek and then I walked down the hall to the guest room where I would be sleeping. As I walked inside the room, I realized that I did not have anything to sleep in, so I went into his bedroom and I checked his cupboard.
All of his suits are hanging. His shiny, leather shoes were all packed neatly in a row. I saw the drawers and I opened one. Folded t-shirts are neatly packed. I took a light blue t-shirt, and then I closed the drawer and the cupboard. His scent was delicious and I turned around. I noticed on the photo on the wall of the newborn baby that there was wording below it.
I moved closer to the photo. You are loved.
I traced the photo with my finger. Was this Terry when she was a baby? Is this a different baby? Why does he get annoyed when talking about kids?
Sighing, I turned around and he was standing in the doorway, he was leaning against the door frame with his arms folded over his chest. "I just came in here to get a t-shirt," I said. His face was expressionless.
"You love to be in here," he said.
"I was curious and like I said, I came here to get a t-shirt to sleep in or do you prefer to have me naked?" I asked and he walked towards me.
"I would prefer you anyway," he said as he stood in front of me and he placed his hands on my hips. His eyes are now hooded.
"There won't be round two tonight," I shrugged. He took the t-shirt from me and he threw it on his bed and his lips crashed against mine.
His hands roamed my body and I moaned, my hands rested against his chest. His tongue entered my mouth and our tongues danced together. Our breathing is rapid and so is our heat rate. He pulled inches away, both of us catching our breaths. "I have to control my urges right now," he said as he catched his breath.
"How about morning s^x?" I smiled.
"Even better." he returned my smile. He took my hand in his and he led me out of his bedroom, but yet that left disappointment in my heart because he wouldn't let us sleep in here, but I got it...his past. I want to know more, but I will not push.
Arden and I got undressed and we got into bed, under the covers ...naked. He just held me that way. I wanted to ask about his past but I will wait. He nuzzled his nose against my neck and he took in my scent. "I love the way that you smell," he said softly.
I chuckled. "I love your scent too."
" I'm sure you would want to take my t-shirt with you, so that you could just have me wherever you go and smell me." he said.
"Maybe."
" You can have the t-shirt. I have plenty." my mind went back to what Miranda had said earlier.
"What did the other woman burn of your things and why?" I asked.
He let out a breath. "My clothes, memories in a photo album of my family and what we have started. Something changed in her and we just weren't happy," he said.
"Was she an ex-girlfriend?"
"Something like that," he said.
I left the conversation at that. Eventually I fell asleep.
I woke up, it was dark. I felt for Arden beside me but he wasn't in bed. I sat up straight and I switched on the lamp. I got out of bed and I saw the t-shirt on the recliner in the corner. He must've brought it in here. I put it on and then I walked out of the bedroom but he wasn't in his bedroom. I heard his voice at the door further ahead. The light was shining.
As I walked closer, his voice became clear and he sounded frustrated. "You will not get another dime from me. You destroyed most of the things and then you took a precious little thing away from me...." I stood at the door and just listened. "Lucinda, you cannot do this, I will see you in court soon." I looked into the room. It was a study room. His bare back was facing towards me and he was wearing gray sweat pants.
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and I wasn't sure if I should walk inside and give him a hug, but I decided against it. I made my way back to the guest bedroom and I got into bed. Whatever that was about, it could have been his ex-girlfriend.