Just Rose

24

Sneaking from the room and along the dark hall had felt like being naughty kids, sneaking out after dark. There were still people meandering in the hall below, remnants of the party goers and waiting staff picking up discarded glasses. He had her hand tucked neatly inside his, pulling her along in the shadows, a simple possessive gesture; his large form and strength making her feel small and fragile. She felt like a teen sneaking from her parent's house with a rogue boyfriend and it somehow felt exciting and right, especially when that rogue man was six feet of pure sexy gorgeousness and smelled amazing.

The hall, open on one side to a huge balcony that overlooked the main grand entrance was illuminating some of the ceiling and areas below, but here none of the lights had been put on, creating a dark passage to move unseen. They stuck to the wall in the shadows, hurrying along. Pulling her behind him, he opened a door at the end of the corridor and pulled her inside, both stifling giggles, still as drunk as they had been.

It somehow felt different this time already, just the fact he was sneaking her around his house at a very public affair and not caring who caught them was stark contrast to before. Everything had changed, she could feel it in the atmosphere between them, in the way he was being. He looked younger, more carefree.

Maybe it was because of the alcohol, but she didn't ponder to think about it.

The room was a beautiful opulent suite with huge canopied bed and luxurious bedding in shades of creams and peaches. It was obvious this had been his mother's influence, so much in Abby's taste only more mature and sophisticated.

Latching the lock on the door closed he caught her and pulled her against the hard-wooden surface, planting his mouth firmly on hers, making it clear he wasn't about to go back to keeping his distance, but she resisted, pushing him away playfully and putting up a warning finger at his lips with a stern look. He groaned, reaching for her again but she skirted away out of reach and climbed on the bed with a shake of the head.

He took the hint and rested back against the door, watching her with a look of amusement on his face. Folding his arms across his wide chest

'It's like that, is it?' He smiled lazily, his mood a lot better than previous weeks.

'We agreed to go elsewhere... To talk!' She slid off her shoes, getting comfy against the overstuffed cushions and watched him shrug off the door and follow her to the bed. Kicking off his shoes too, he climbed up, laying down beside her, his hand trailing across her lap to tangle in her fingers possessively, despite her trying to keep this 'talk' uncomplicated she didn't have the will power to remove his hand.

'I meant it. It's not because I'm drunk Rose...I got this drunk because of you... This insane ability you have to make me feel like I'm free falling whenever you're around and I've lost all control...' He looked up at her sheepishly, his eyes for once reflecting just how much he was missing her. 'I want to try this again. I know things have to be different and I want them to be. I was an idiot to make you feel like you did, I should never have treated you like a secret that I was ashamed of. Every fight we had, I knew it was my fault, that I was losing you. So god damn stubborn and sure I could do it a better way... One where we all walked away happy.' He let go of her hand and instead slid his hands around her waist and tugged her closer, pulling her to lay beside him so he could hook her with his legs and nuzzle into her neck to breathe her in. 'I miss you so god damn much.' He sighed heavily.

L.T. Marshall

She looked at him thoughtfully, so many objections rising about the situation that had not changed but willing to listen, unsure what else to do.