Chapter 34 Driven Him Away
Skylar’s breath hitched, knowing what he meant. He wanted an actual relationship with her, but why would he?
“How? We don’t feel a thing for one another,” she pointed out, searching his smoldering blue eyes.
“We do! You cannot deny the attraction between us, Can you?” He trailed a finger along her jawline in a feather-soft touch, causing a tremor to go down her spine. It was as if he was trying to prove a point to her.
“No, it’s nothing special! I’m sure you have felt it for many others before.” She held his unwavering gaze, refusing to surrender to him.
“Wrong! I’ve never felt it before for anyone else but you. I’m sure you haven’t too.” He placed his arms on either side of her, making her eyes widen.
“Still, I would say it’s a momentary feeling. It will pass if we ignore it.” She placed her hands on his chest to push him away, but he didn’t move even an inch.
“It’s not momentary, and I can prove it to you.”
“No, don’t touch me. I’ll scream the place down.” He raised an eyebrow, smirking at her futile threat.
“Scream all you can. The walls are soundproof!” He dipped his head, desperate to prove his point.
How could she consider his feelings for her just momentary? He had loved her since the day he understood the meaning of the term. His life had changed drastically since he refused to accept his parents' decision to get her married to Sebastian. They considered him a rebel and sent him away! Now, after years when he finally got her, all she could do was fight him. It was time to change that. He would prove to her that what they shared wasn’t momentary at all. She might not love him in the same way but she wasn’t immune to him either.
In a desperate movement, he grasped her nape, tangling his fingers in her hair. “Christian, I won’t kiss you.” She swore stubbornly, struggling to get free.
“I’ll make you surrender!” he hissed, a strange fire exploding deep inside him. She opened her mouth to answer him, but he crashed his mouth to hers, shocking the daylights out of her. It was a wild, scorching, and hungry kiss that made her gasp with surprise. He nipped at her bottom lip and sucked her tongue like he was addicted to it. The kiss didn’t feel like just a kiss! It felt like a needy confession! It felt as if he was promising her more in the future. Was it a commitment?
His tempo suddenly slowed, and he deepened the kiss, twisting her hair into his hand and cupping her face tenderly. Not once did he beg her to kiss him back this time? He knew it would make her run for the hills like always.
A deep moan escaped her mouth as tingles of heat spread from her neck all the way down her back. The kiss differed from the others she had experienced with him. It was more lingering than hungry, more arousing than wild! Her arms went around his shoulders, digging her nails into his back. Skylar drew in his heady scent and right there in the room with the ocean tide roaring outside, she let herself fall into Christian.
She surrendered to her need for him. Her fingers curled into his hair and she pulled him closer, needing to feel more than just his mouth. With her breasts pressed against his hard chest, she kissed him back.
A deep, throaty groan escaped his mouth at her response. He drowned in her passionate kiss. A fire crackled between them, turning the kiss intense yet slow. The roar of the ocean filled the heavy silence between them, but they weren’t aware of anything but their heated-up feelings for one another.
She released his mouth and gasped for breath, gazing into his mesmerizing blue eyes as vivid as that of the ocean outside. Their eyes seemed to be held together by the pull of the moment.
“You’re full of surprises, babe!” His raspy whisper brought her out of her trance. She blinked, realizing what she had done. She had kissed the man she didn’t want to kiss! It only proved him right! No, she couldn’t let him win this one.
His arms snaked around her waist to pull her closer. It was obvious he wanted a repeat, but Skylar wouldn't make the same mistake again. She wouldn’t succumb to his charm!
“Did you feel the attraction we share?” he asked, his eyes searching hers. Skylar looked away, shaking her head vehemently.
“No, it was just a momentary feeling, nothing permanent. We won’t repeat it ever again. Sorry, it was a mistake!” Christian froze and blinked at her, his heart crushed by her reaction. It was the first kiss she had given him. For him, it was priceless! He could spend a lifetime remembering the way it felt to be kissed by the one he loved! He had dreamed of it for so long!
“Mistake?” he repeated her words, slowly releasing his hold on her.
“Yes. Just because I agreed to stay with you doesn’t mean you could take advantage of me, Christian. I still need my privacy.” He staggered backward and gave her an anguished look. Did he really take advantage of her?
“I’m sorry! I..” He stopped and turned away without a word, without a look, jumping over her balcony back into his.
Skylar stood frozen for a while, gathering her wayward senses. She had kissed no one in her entire life with so much abandon. How could she surrender to him so easily? How could she let him prove his point? Yes, it was true she melted in his arms, but why would she admit that to him? He didn’t feel a thing for her, right? He loved someone else!
She took her time showering and changing into fresh clothes. Afterwards, she sat down to arrange her closet just to avoid meeting Christian. How would she face him after that scorching kiss they shared? Would she allow him to kiss her again? Her heart thumped wildly in anticipation and she knew the answer to that question.
It was almost lunchtime when she completed arranging her closet. It was odd that not once had Christian bothered her in the last four hours. Where could he be?
Her stomach grumbled, and she went out of her room in search of food. The entire floor was eerily quiet. Wasn’t Christian there in his room? She pushed open the door to check, but found it empty. Maybe he was downstairs in the kitchen!
Skylar went downstairs, but there was no sign of Christian anywhere. She entered the kitchen to see a woman rinsing the dishes. She turned to look at her and smiled.
“Hello, Ms. Carnell! Shall I serve your lunch?” Skylar nodded with a frown.
“Where’s Christian?”
“Oh, he has left for Zurich for an important conference. I’m Joanna Franklin, his housekeeper. Our cook, Katherine Brown, just left after making your lunch. She’ll return in the evening to prepare your dinner.” The woman rambled on about the other staff around the house, but nothing entered Skylar’s head. All she could grasp was Christian had left her alone in a new city amongst strangers! Why did he bring her here, then?
“I’m not hungry, Joanna!” She turned around to leave, feeling tears prick in her eyes. She didn’t know why she felt so hurt. After all, she was a grown woman. Obviously, she hadn’t expected him to babysit her all day! Yet she couldn’t help the feeling of hurt deep within her.
“If you don’t eat, Mr. St. James asked me to call his grandfather,” said the middle-aged housekeeper with a solemn look on her face. It worked, and Skylar sat down at the breakfast nook to have her food. Joanna served her and hovered around her, cleaning the kitchen while Skylar ate her food absent-mindedly. She gazed at the fountain and thought about the kiss they shared. Did he leave because of her?
“Mr. St. James left this note for you. He asked me to give it to you after you had your lunch.” Skylar took the sealed envelope and tore it open, wondering what it could contain. The housekeeper left the kitchen to work elsewhere while she opened the note he left for her. Her eyes flicked through the neat handwritten note.
Skylar,
I’m sorry for everything that happened between us. If you wanted privacy, you can have it. I’m going away on a Europe tour. You don’t have to deal with me for two months or maybe more. You’re free to explore and enjoy yourself, but just don’t leave. Mrs. Franklin and Mrs. Brown will take care of you. Samuel will take you wherever you want to go. I have left my bank card in my closet for you. It’s in the right-hand side drawer. You can use it freely. Have a good time! Stay happy!
Christian.
Skylar reread the note and sighed deeply, realizing that he had left because of her. Would he really return after two months? What would she do without him for two months?
“Why am I missing you already?” she mumbled, losing her appetite completely.