Chapter 43

Chapter 43
Aurelia's POV

“I know enough,” he said. “I know the way you look at me when you think I’m not watching. I know you felt it that night... All those nights. I know you feel it now.”

I shook my head again and wrapped my arms around myself. “You don’t know anything,” I said.

Killian took one slow step closer. “I know I’d do anything to keep you safe,” he said. “Even if you hate me for it.”

I stared at him, trying to find words, but nothing came out.

He reached up and brushed a wet strand of hair from my face. “You’ll see,” he said softly. “One day you’ll understand.”

“Understand what?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

“That this is real,” he said. “That I’m the only one who will ever love you like this.”

"Yes, you're the only psychopath."

But seriously, what the hell was wrong with me? Why did I attract sick bastards who just wanted to lay claim on me?

I stepped away from his hand and gripped the edge of the pool. “You need to leave,” I said. “Right now.”

Killian watched me for a long moment, then lowered his hand. “I’ll give you time,” he said. “But don’t make me wait too long.”

He turned and climbed out of the pool, water running down his shirt. He picked up his jacket and put the gun in the inner pocket of it with a calm motion like none of this was strange. He glanced back once, his eyes catching the pool light, and then he walked toward the gate without another word.

I stayed in the water, my hands shaking, listening to the sound of his footsteps fade into the night. And then, unfortunately, I heard him retreat.

“You know what,” he said, his voice easy but sure, “I can’t leave you here to freeze. Come on out, Lia.”

The name caught me off guard for the second time tonight.

I climbed out of the pool slowly, water running down my arms and legs. He held out his jacket after pulling out the gun without a word. I took it and wrapped it tight around myself.

“Inside,” he said.

I followed him through the house. My wet feet left a trail on the floor and the night air clung to my skin.

He stopped at the bathroom door and reached in to start the shower. Hot steam filled the small space almost at once. “Warm up,” he said.

I stepped inside and let the heat hit me. I didn’t know what to think. I half-expected him to push in after me, but he only closed the door and stayed on the other side.

When I came out, he was waiting with a dry shirt and soft pants from the laundry pile. “Here,” he said, handing them over.

"Your nipples are hard," he commented as I took the clothes from him.

"It's the cold," I hissed, snatching it away from him. "Fuck off."

"Or it could be something else," he whispered.

"I'm not doing this with you Killian," I told him in a harsh whisper.

"Doing what Lia?"

"Stop calling me that."

He stood up and smiled. "Get dressed. Let's go to your room."

I dressed and followed him to my room. He pulled the covers back, motioned for me to lie down.

I swallowed hard, my gaze flickering between him and my bed. "What do you want?"

"I want you to go to bed," he said simply. "And why exactly do you want me to do that?

"Because I want you to. It's late. You were out in the cold... Had a hot shower, and you've already eaten. The only sensible thing left for you to do is to go to bed."

"I'm not getting in bed with you."

"Oh, you're hoping for a fuck? I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you on that one," he grinned, removing the blanket leaving only the sheets. Without warning, he picked me up and threw me on the bed.

I made a move to stand up, but he pinned me in place, his mouth only inches away from mine. "Relax Aurelia, relax."

I swallowed hard and tried my best to relax. Much to my surprise, he folded my arms and tucked the blanket around me like it was the most ordinary thing. Then he lay down on top of the comforter beside me but not touching.

For a while, he said nothing and the silence was suffocating. I suddenly became aware of every single sound in the room.

“How were your exams?” he asked at last.

“Fine,” I said, still staring at the ceiling.

“I heard a professor hit on you two weeks before,” Killian said. “Threatened to drop your grades.”

I turned my head toward him. “He’s not someone to worry about anymore. He got a job out of state. Good offer.”

“Ah, yes,” Killian said, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

I studied his face in the dim light. “Did you have something to do with it?”

He smiled, a small quiet curve of his mouth, and said nothing.

“Why do you keep doing this?” I asked, pulling the blanket up to my chin.

He turned his head toward me, his eyes meeting mine. For some reason, I couldn't hold his gaze so I looked away. “Doing what?” he questioned.

“Getting rid of people.” I shifted on the bed and pressed my back to the wall.

“I’m protecting you. Your life is easier without them,” he said, resting an elbow on the pillow and watching my face.

“You’re a psycho,” I whispered and then tightened the blanket around my shoulders.

“You’ve said that many times,” he commented. He leaned closer until his knee brushed the mattress.

“Because it’s true,” I slip a little farther from him.

“They hurt you. I stop them,” he replied, running a hand across the blanket near my feet.