CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LUCAS
Ella leaves and I want to race after her. I have never seen her fall apart like that. I tighten my hand into a fist. The squeak of the leather gloves, has me relaxing my hands as my father gives me a sideward glance. He diverts his attention back to his audience, who he has captured beautifully. My stomach twists every time I think of the hurt in Ella’s eyes.
My eyes snap to Sandra who’s watching me and I can see the smile in her eyes. She must have removed my note. Each time Ella stumbled over her words or knocked over the water, Sandra’s joy emanated from her. I wanted to hurt her. I glance at Hannah, who’s chewing on her lip and her eyes keep snapping to the door that Ella had left through. Her worry is making my own grow.
“Excuse me, ladies.” I stand up and speak. I can feel the waves of disapproval from my father. “I’m sure my charming father can keep you all entertained for a moment.” I force a smile at them all and they giggle like a bunch of hyena’s.
My stomach dips as I turn to my father. “Master Andrew.”
He pulls his mask back into place. “I would be honoured to entertain these stunning ladies.”
More giggles. I don’t linger but leave the room. I know I don’t have much time. I just need to find her. I take the steps upstairs two at a time and pray that she is in her room. Her door is closed over. I knock, but I don’t give her a chance to answer. Pushing open the door my heart thuds, the room is empty. I’m ready to leave when she stomps out of the bathroom. Her hair that had been all pinned up is free, falling around her shoulders. Her eyes are on fire. I don’t think I have ever seen anything so beautiful. I want her. I want every single part of her.
“Get out!” She’s loud, too loud.
I kick the door closed behind me and immediately advance on her. “Keep your voice down.”
Her eyes flash and I grip her arms, stopping whatever she wants to say on her lips. I wish I wasn’t wearing gloves so I could feel her skin.
“I left you a note,” I say quickly, hoping to douse the flames that will consume both of us.
She pulls away and I’m shocked when she slams her hands into my chest. Not the reaction I was expecting.
“Get out.” Her chest rises and falls rapidly and behind her rage I see it, her pain. I’ve hurt her.
“Ella.” I push a warning into my voice.
Her eyes blur with unshed tears. “What, Lucas? You’ll punish me?”
I get over my shock of her putting her hands on me and take a step towards her, she doesn’t back away from me.
“Is that what you want? You want me to punish you?” I want to kiss her so bad, her red lips are full and moving again.
“Haven’t you already? Why?” Her face is crestfallen as she asks me why. “Why would you humiliate me like that? I thought I was already punished for talking to Alex?” Her brows pull down and she shakes her head.
My treacherous heart beats wildly. “I left you a note,” I defend myself.
She laughs bitterly. “I got the note.”
That surprises me. She turns on her heel and I’m ready to reach her and pull her back, but she doesn’t go far. She picks up the piece of paper off her bedside table and hands it to me.
“I told you we would reschedule,” I say while opening it.
I can’t help the smile that grows on my face; for the first time it’s real. I hadn’t caused this. I glance up at Ella and her eyes grow wider as she stares at me.
“This isn’t my handwriting. That’s not my note.” I try to not sound so smug. Ella looks ready to explode. She snaps the note back, looks at it, then at me. “You’re lying.” Her voice is whispered.
I don’t think I would know what she is saying, only I’m watching her lips.
“Don’t call me a liar,” I warn and eradicate the space between us.
I see her conflict, I see her confusion. I’ve held back and my resolve snaps.
A squeal leaves her lips as I take her face in my hands and don’t wait for her permission to kiss her. Her lips are frozen under my touch but they soon mimic my movements and Ella melts into me. Her body is warm against mine. My shaft grows quickly and I want her so bad. When she had stepped into the dining room I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
She was stunning. All I wanted at that moment was to have Ella bent over the table where I could take her over and over again.
A moan leaves her lips, her hands are flush with my chest and I can feel the slight push she gives me. There isn’t much force behind it, but her internal struggle is leaking out. She pulls her lips away from mine, breathing heavy.
“Lucas.” My name on her lips has my cock twitching. She sounds tortured.
I know I shouldn’t be doing this. How would all this end? Ella stares up into my eyes.
“I didn’t write that note.” I knew who did, but that wouldn’t change this situation. It was foolish of me to think that Sandra wouldn’t remove my note. I didn’t think she would deceive Ella by writing her own.
“I’m sorry.” My heart means it and Ella’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“I wish I could change things.” There, I said it out loud. Ella drops her eyes, cutting me off from her soul. It’s an instant loss that I refuse to accept. I tip her head back by holding her chin.
“Say something.” Where is that fire?
“I want you to leave.” She blinks and a tear falls.
Her words are like a lash to my back. I tighten my hold on her chin. She flinches and I want to take back control. She can’t tell me to leave. She can’t want me to leave, but she does.
“I told you, I didn’t write that note,” I repeat and when Ella stands taller and pulls her chin from my hand, I know I’ve lost this battle.
“I believe you. But it doesn’t change anything.”
I don’t reach for her again. Maybe it is better this way. We will both get hurt. She already has penetrated my skin and slid so silently into my bloodstream. I hadn’t noticed until today how much I wanted her. How easily I could enjoy her company.
She swallows as she stares up at me. Her wide green eyes are still brimming with pain. Pain I have caused. My father had humiliated her and I had sat stiff and shut off all my emotions. I couldn’t interject, if he knew how I felt about her, what would he do? I couldn’t have Ella hurt. So I needed to make the pain a bit less for her.
I close the distance and place a kiss on her forehead. I linger longer than I should. It’s on my lips to apologize again, but I don’t. I don’t look at her as I leave her room.
George is at the bottom of the stairs and I hesitate. “Your father wants you to return.” George’s eyes hold pity.
“Thank you, George.” Once again he looks surprised at my manners. Before I enter the room his old hand touches my shoulder. He doesn’t say anything and when I look at him, he releases me and walks away.
The room is erupting in giggles as I join my father. He gives me a moment’s attention. I can’t read the look, so I sit down and try to shut down everything. I can feel Hannah’s eyes heavy on me, so I look at her and give her the briefest nod. She bites her lip as she sees it.