Her Guardians: Her Guardians Trilogy Book 1 (25 page)

“Is it really?”
He turned to face me.

“Um…
yes.” Just looking at him had my tongue twisting.

“Well
, if you want to eat some more, that’s fine by me. I love watching you eat.”

Pursing my lips a little
, I frowned at him, then smiled. “Why?”

“You look—I don’t know—kind of adorable.”
Stephen smiled before placing the dishes in the sink. If I didn’t think I loved this man before, I certainly did now. It was almost as though he knew me from the inside out. Everything about him had me yearning to be close. I wasn’t sure what it was about him, but it simply thrilled me, terrified me, intoxicated me. And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could go on like this.

I made myself busy getting everything ready for the film
. My phone rang just as we were about to start it up. It was my uncle. He was checking in and wanted to make sure I had everything I needed. With Stephen by my side, I definitely did. Not that I told him that, of course.

The film was as good as I remembered.
We laughed and I cried, but I think Stephen enjoyed it as much as I did. To be honest, it felt like we had done this kind of thing for years.

“You know it’s not really like that, don’t you?
Frankly, I’m quite offended that you think I’m this gluttonous, filthy-mouthed, sex maniac angel like the one portrayed in the film.”

I popped a nacho in my mouth and pretended to act shocked.
“I never thought that about you.”

His playful smile lit the room.
“Okay, well…explain it.”

“He’s more down
-to-earth. He’s like the daredevil angel—someone you would never expect to act the way that he does. He reminds me of you, but I swear it’s only in a good way.”

“I know.
I’m just messing with you. You really think I’m down-to-earth?”

“Yes
. I admire you.”

He immediately straightened his back.
“You admire me?”

I was surprised that he acted so taken aback by my comment.
“Yes. What’s so surprising about that?”

“I don’t know.
I’ve never had someone admire me before.”

“Well
, get used to it because I admire the hell out of you, Stephen Faron.” I pushed on his shoulder.

“
Aww, shucks. I don’t think I deserve it, but I’m flattered anyway.”

“Why would you
think you were not deserving?” I frowned, unable to fathom why he thought so badly of himself.

“I’ve done some things
of which I’m not proud.”

“Haven’t we al
l, Stephen?”

“I know.
I’m trying hard.”

“I know you are.
” I grabbed his hand. It still never failed to amaze me just how relaxing it was not to feel anything from him.

“Michael said that you could make me see what I wanted to see
.”

“Yes, that’s right.
One of our many gifts, shall we say.”

I didn’t know where it came from
, but I just had this yearning to feel a connection with him. “Can you do it with me?”

Stephen shook his head and pulled away a little.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Please,” I beg
ged, batting my eyelashes.

I saw his smile and I knew I had him.
“You’re too much, Twinkles. You’re taking this ‘wish is my command’ thing a little too seriously.”

I immediatel
y pouted and it made Stephen laugh. “Okay, okay. I’ll do it.” I practically danced with joy.

Grabbing my hand
, Stephen asked me to close my eyes and take a deep breath. I did as he asked and, suddenly, I was pulled into what seemed like a vision—but it felt so real.

I was standing in a field full of sunflowers. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. The sun was glistening high in the sky and I could feel the warmth touching my face. I became aware that I was wearing a white dress, almost like a wedding dress. It was like nothing I had ever seen. It was so glorious.

I turn to take in this amazing sight and, to m
y surprise, Stephen is there in a suit. He looks so handsome and refined that it immediately melts my heart.

He trailed his fingers down my arms and I shivered at his glorious touch. I closed my eyes, letting this wonderful sensation take over. He then draws me in and lifts my chin to meet his eyes. Those beautiful light blue eyes of his
were dancing across my face. I sighed at his touch as he pulled me closer to his side.

“Your wish, remember?” he sa
id, lightly kissing me on the lips.

In an instant, I’m aware that my breathing
was picking up at his touch. The gentle kiss turned more intense as I wrap my arms around his neck. His lips felt like nothing else in this world, and I felt like I was dancing on a cloud. The feeling was one I never wanted to let go of.

“You have all of me,” he whisper
ed in my ear.

My eyes shot open and it was only then that I was aware I’m crying. Stephen let go of my hand and I immediately rise from the bed and run to the window.

“I’m sorry,”
he offered. “I didn’t mean for it to upset you. Part of what I was showing you was what you wanted to see.”

“You were right.
” I suddenly felt a devastating loss and I didn’t know from where it came. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.” My voice was almost a whisper, terrified I might lose it.

We both fell silent for a whi
le, as I stood there looking out of the window. I closed my eyes and let the tears flow. What Stephen showed me was beautiful—and yes, I could imagine it was what I wanted to see and hear, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“I was too late,” Stephen sa
id, breaking the silence.

I knew what he meant and it tore my heart in two.
He knows I’ve been with Michael. He knows it’s always been Michael.

This was our last night together and the thought of it killed me.
I knew Stephen felt it, too, and it just made it that much harder.

We went to bed and
I tried to sleep, but it was fraught with tension and anxiety of never having Stephen this close to me again. In my dreams, I wept through my loss, wondering how I had ever managed to get myself into this situation.

**********

Morning came and the silence was deafening. We knew that Michael would be returning soon and that meant Stephen would be leaving. I cried in the shower, hoping that the noise would drown out my sobs. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I knew I would see Stephen again, but it was like I was losing him for good. The thought terrified me.

As I came out of the bathroom
, Stephen looked over at me. “Michael just rang. He will be here in twenty minutes. He asked that you pack a small bag to last until Sunday.” His face fell and the look made the tears threaten again.

“Ok
ay.”

My feet suddenly found movement and
, before I knew it, I was rushing into the kitchen to make some tea. I didn’t even want tea, but it was something to do so that I didn’t have to see the agonising look Stephen had on his face.

When I came back out
, I saw that he was already packed and ready to go. I busied myself doing the same.

After I was done, Stephen and I looked at each
other for a few moments. I wanted to look away, but something was rooting me to the spot. Something was making me see what he could feel. It was torture, but I felt I had to do it.

“Cassie.”
His voice eventually broke our silence.

I knew he had something on his mind
, and the fact he called me Cassie instead of Twinkles told me he was being deadly serious.

He was about to speak
, but the doorbell rang. “What is it?” I was desperate to hear whatever it was that was on his mind.

“It’s nothing.”
He shook his head, turned toward the door, hesitating slightly. I caught him taking a deep breath before answering it.

Pretty s
oon, they both walked into my room and the sight caught my breath a bit. Michael took my breath away, as usual. They both did.

“Cassie!
” he bellowed as he ran towards me and scooped me up into his arms. It felt good, but I was acutely aware that Stephen was watching everything.

S
tiffening, I looked towards Stephen, who was staring at both of us. Michael felt it and let go. He looked towards Stephen, then back at me. He could sense something was off and was looking at both of us for an explanation.

Finally
, Stephen broke the silence, “There’s something you should know.”

I started to panic a little
, thinking he was going to tell Michael about our little indiscretion that night in my bed. It was only what I deserved.

“Ok
ay…” Michael suddenly looked worried. “Why do I think this is something I’m not going to like?” His stare suddenly turned to me. He could see the guilt written all over my face.

“An incide
nt occurred at work on Wednesday.”

I
instantly let out a breath I’d been holding. I wasn’t sure why that was a relief. It didn’t last long, though, as I knew what was coming next and knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Daniel attacked Cassie in the archives room
, gave her a concussion, and she spent the day in the hospital.”

“And you failed
to tell me this?!” he seethed at Stephen. He took a few steps towards him, but I quickly intervened by getting in-between the two of them.

“Michael,
stop. It’s not Stephen’s fault. I told him not to say anything.”

“Why?”
The hurt in his eyes was evident.

“I knew you would return as soon as you heard and it would only mean you having to retake the course.
I was just trying to save you the hassle.”

“Save me the hassle
?! Cassie, are you kidding me?! You know the course didn’t mean shit to me. You, on the other hand, mean everything to me. I can’t believe you never said anything.”

Michael slumped
on my bed, making me feel very guilty. It was only what I needed to feel. I was betraying both men at every turn, and it tore me apart.

“I’m sorr
y.” I suddenly didn’t know what to say.

L
ooking up to where Stephen was, I could see him asking if I was okay. I nodded and he grabbed his bag. “Maybe I should go.” He looked cautious.

“I think t
hat would be wise,” Michael said through gritted teeth.

I
n an attempt to calm things down as quickly as possible, I walked Stephen out the door. Once he was at the top of the stairs outside, I apologised to him.

“Twinkles, no need to be sorry with me.
It’s not the first time Michael’s been mad at me. I’m used to it. Are you going to be okay?”

“Yes
. Thank you for everything.”

Grabbing my hand
, he kissed the back of it. “Your wish, remember?” He looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes of his.

He
turned and walked down the stairs, making my heart ache with every step he took. He was soon gone, without looking back. I knew why, and it would have been the same thing I would have done under the circumstances.

I released my
breath and turned to face the music. I had some explaining to do.

When I was
back in my room, Michael did something completely unexpected. He picked me up and held me in his arms.

Suddenly,
he placed his lips on mine before it could even register. I should have said no, I should have pulled away, but the feel of him near me was too irresistible.

He finally pulled away and looked at me. “I’m sorry I got angry, Are you okay? Tell me what happened.”

Sitting
down with him, I told him the horrible details. I tried to tone it down as much as possible but how could you tone down an attempted rape?

I could see
the different emotions as I was telling him the story. Anger, sorrow, regret and, lastly, hurt because we had left him out of this.

Afterwards
, he pulled me onto his lap and cradled me in his arms. “All that time, you were trying to give me something so beautiful and I refused you, only to have to deal with some punk who thinks he can take it without asking. I can’t believe I left you alone with this.”

“Well
, he didn’t get it. Stephen saved me and I’m fine now. I’m healing nicely.”

Michael wince
d when I mentioned Stephen’s name. “It should have been me.” He looked regretful.