Drifting Deception

Chapter Twenty-Four

SYDNEY 

I was still in my dress when I woke up; the tight, short red dress that I initially changed into when last night's evening began. Henry was lying directly opposite me in the same comfortable shirt he'd worn all night.

I smiled, remembering what had happened eight hours ago. We were so in need of touching each other, feeling each other's lips on one another, that we'd fallen asleep like that. It was nice, but part of me worried that we'd only gotten to this point because we were spending all of this time together. Henry was a player, there was no lie about that. That was the whole reason we were in this situation. A small, negative part of my brain couldn't help but feel as though he was only attracted to me for now.

Henry stirred in his sleep, and I sat up to grab a drink of water. I looked into the mirror. My makeup was smeared, and my chin was still red. I felt like I was doing the walk of shame, even though we'd only hit first base.

I ventured down the stairs and into the kitchen. Reaching for a glass, I accidentally knocked a bowl. I caught it with ease, but it would've woken up the whole house if I hadn't.

"Nice save," a voice said behind me. Startled, I turned around. Henry was leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded, and his hair ruffled.

"Hi," I said nervously.

He smiled. "Good morning, ma chérie." God, his accent ignited an even fiercer desire now that we'd shared a proper kiss; one that was behind closed doors...not for the eye of the public.

"Sleep well?" I asked as I headed to the fridge. I pressed my glass under the water dispenser and watched the cold liquid fill up the cup.

"Very well," he said smirking. "Probably the best sleep I've ever had."

I closed my eyes as I took a sip of my water, grateful that I was facing the other way. I should've been ecstatic after our kiss. Hell, it was something I had desired for a long time now. But I didn't want to make a choice that I would regret. I didn't regret last night with Henry, but I had to be cautious. I wasn't stupid. I knew the potential outcome if I gave in to my true desires. It'd be impossible to move on if he etched himself into my heart. 

"Want to take a walk through the garden?" Henry asked after a beat. I turned around and nodded. The fresh air was going to do me good.

In any other situation, a walk through the garden would take about five minutes. However, the garden at this villa extended for at least a kilometre. We could walk far away and have the discussion about last night in peace.

We walked down the large staircase and into the hedges. The whole maze reminded me of something from Alice in Wonderland and I had to laugh. I felt a lot like Alice right now. Our kiss has sent me tumbling down a rabbit hole and into a world of uncertainty. What was going to come out of last night? What was he going to do when he was bored and ready for the next woman? Was I going to walk away from this emotionally destroyed?

Last night was the door to a thousand questions...but it was also the key to one answer. 

I had to protect myself and to do that, I had to keep this casual.

"So," Henry said as we increased the distance between us and the villa. "About last night—"

"I obviously feel something towards you," I interrupted. "I wouldn't have kissed you back like that otherwise."

Henry smirked, his hands in his pockets as his expression darkened. "And boy, did you kiss me back."

I blushed under the rising sun. "I do like you. I really do." I took a deep breath. "But I also don't want to get hurt."