Irish Promises

Chapter Twenty-Three

Irvin

I can sense Anastasia is anxious about being here.

Not just being with me but in this home, the place she grew up, the place where her daughter spent time. It's for these exact reasons I insisted that Zara move the tasting here.

I need her to be on edge.

To feel uncomfortable, so that she can seek comfort. Seek comfort from me.

"Why are you living here?" she asks as she follows me through the foyer like a guest in her own home.

"It was my best option security wise seeing as there could be a risk to my safety" I reply turning back briefly to look at her just long enough to see that it piqued her interest.

"What do you mean a risk to your safety" she says her steps quickening to match my pace. 

Glancing down at her from where she walks next to me I give her a long serious look so I don't have to actually say it out loud, letting her fill in the blanks and doubt the men she's with for herself.

"They're not going to do anything, they promised me they wouldn't" she says, her tone harsh but before I can tell her otherwise she's already doubting them just like I need her to. "No they wouldn't, they wouldn't break a promise they've made to me" she then says.

"Come" I say, placing my hand on the base of her spine as I lead her into the dining room. "We're not here to discuss them" 

She allows me to lead her in and the way her whole face lights up at the sight of the spread laid out is nothing short of beautiful. She looks truly happy and delighted.

"Oh wow I did good" she says clearly to herself with a smile spreading across her face, our conversation now long forgotten.

"You really did" I confirm, smiling down at her. "Not that I doubted you for a single moment" I then say and it causes her smile to spread even wider.

"Shall we?" I say gesturing towards the table and she instantly moves towards it, her task at hand her only focus.

For the next hour we work through every dish laid out, Anastasia taking great pleasure in the whole thing. She becomes the easy going, carefree version of herself that lets her walls down and makes it way more ebay to get to her.

She doesn't move away when I press up close to her, or attempt to stop me when I tuck her hair behind her ear. She's completely in a world of her own, one where those boyfriends of hers don't exist. Where they don't hold her back from the connection she so obviously has with me. 

By the time we've finished up I pretend to take a call, leaving her for way longer than necessary and to no surprise she goes exploring.

Radiating towards Natalia's bedroom straight away. 

When I pretend to have found her I don't speak. Instead I step up behind her, my chest flush with her back and she sucks in a breath like she does every time I'm close enough to be touching her but she doesn't move away.

Dripping my head down I bring my lips to her ear as I say. "I guess this was Natalia's room" I keep my voice solemn to match her evident mood and anguish at not having her around anymore.

She doesn't respond straight away, it takes her a few moments and I gather that's because she's collecting her thoughts.

"It was my room before" she says, actually telling me something I didn't already know. 

Dimitri left that part out but I suppose he didn't feel like it would be valuable information. 

"You miss her" I point out tugging that thread of hers that I know works too well on getting through to her emotions that she wears so obviously.

She just nods, not actually saying a word but she does lean herself against me as if seeking out the comfort she so clearly needs. 

"Do you regret leaving?" I ask but don't give her time to reply as I then say. "Regret running when you could have had a life with her?" 

At that she shudders and closes her eyes the full impact of my words hitting her like I intended for them to do. The reminder that she threw away her chance to have a life with her daughter just like she clearly has always wanted. 

I hear her sniff, a clear sign that she's crying. Confirmed when she brings her hand up to swat away the tears.

"I regret it everyday" she whispers. Her voice so low it's as if she's saying it more to herself than as a response to me.

Turning her to face me I hook one arm around her to keep her in place whilst bringing my hand up to tilt her chin to up. She blinks away her tears, her eyes locking with mine as she peers up at me.

"I would have given you everything you wanted Anastasia I just wish you would have believed and trusted that I would" I say softly and then I dip my head down to hers pressing our lips together. 

I feel her tense at first, a clear battle going on inside her at what is happening but when I run my hand from her chin to cup the back of her head she relaxes.

She relaxes into the kiss, her lips moving with mine and I know that without a doubt I achieved my goal. I cracked her.

Her hands clench in my shirt keeping my body as close to her as she can but as a slight whimper escapes her she seems to snap back into focus.

She freezes, going rigid in my hold again.

Then she's pulling away, her hands shoving at my chest, her eyes wide with clear panic.

"I-i" she stutters as I release her and allow her to step back away from me. "I shouldn't have done that" she then breathes her hand coming to her mouth and her fingers tracing over her lips as if she remembers the feel of mine against hers. 

"Anastasia" I say her name softly and go to take a step towards her but expectedly she shakes her head and darts around me.

"I want to go" she blurts out as I turn to look at her, her eyes still wide with panic. "I want to leave now" she then says and to give her that reassurance I nod, not urging anything more from her.

"I'll have someone take you back to the office" I offer, holding my hands up to show her I mean no harm. "It's okay you don't have to be upset Anastasia, you haven't done anything wrong" I then say softly.

"I need to go now!" she hisses at me and then she's storming off away from me as fast as her feet will take her.