Rowan
I stepped into my room, the damp fabric of my shirt clinging uncomfortably to my skin. The rain poured outside and there was just enough daylight through the windows to illuminate the darkened corners of my chambers. I closed the door behind me, hoping to shake off the chill and the lingering sense of unease from my day.
As I turned, a sudden flicker of lightning revealed Garrick standing by the window, his figure shrouded in shadows. I jumped, my heart racing for a moment. “You nearly gave me a heart attack,” I said, forcing a chuckle despite the adrenaline still coursing through me. "Could you maybe stop doing that?"
He turned slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. “Apologies. I thought you’d welcome the surprise.”
“What are you doing here? When you said tonight, I thought you’d be coming later this evening,” I replied, moving to my wardrobe. I could feel his gaze directly on my back.
“I had a feeling you might need some company. Besides, it seemed fitting with the storm brewing outside.” He gestured to the rain, a mischievous glint in his eye.
I pulled my soaked shirt over my head and tossed it aside, feeling the cool air against my skin. “So, you’re telling me you’re responsible for this downpour?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I rummaged for something dry to wear.
Garrick chuckled softly. “I might have nudged it along. It was quite a lovely day before you took that boat out with Hyacinth, wasn’t it? What a shame.”
The mention of her name when it was really unnecessary made me suspicious. “Are you jealous, Garrick? You can’t possibly care about who I spend my time with. After all, we have nothing between us but a shared hatred.”
He shrugged, a nonchalant look on his face. “Jealousy is a strong word.” His gaze traveled from my eyes to my bare torso, lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
I grabbed a dry shirt and pushed my arms through the sleeves, not missing the way his expression shifted. “So you're definitely not unhappy that I chose to spend time with a particularly attractive woman?” I asked, my tone teasing despite the tension hanging between us.
“Exactly,” he replied, crossing his arms, a playful smile dancing on his lips. “But I have a feeling your preferences have shifted lately.”
“What do you mean by that?” I asked, feigning ignorance even as I felt heat creeping up my neck.
“Oh, come on. I’m not blind,” he said, leaning against the wall. “I saw the way you looked at her. The way you light up when you talk about her art. It’s quite charming, really.”
I felt a mixture of annoyance and defensiveness. “Hyacinth is just a friend. She's particularly enjoyable to be around. But I’m not interested in her like that. And I doubt she feels anything for me either.”
“Isn’t that what they all say?” Garrick teased, stepping closer. “But let’s be honest—there’s a spark, isn’t there? Or maybe you’re atleast intrigued by the idea of her.”
I rolled my eyes, trying to deflect his probing. “This isn’t about her and you know that.”
“Isn’t it?” Garrick smirked, closing the distance between us. “You’re telling me that being here, with me, isn’t a distraction from whatever you think you should be feeling?”
“Stop it,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction. “You know whatever we have is complicated enough without dragging her into it.”
“Complicated is my specialty,” he replied, a teasing glint in his eye. “But I can’t help but wonder what you’re truly seeking. Is it the thrill from the fear of getting caught? Or perhaps… you just want to keep me guessing.”
The air between us crackled, and I felt torn. I didn’t want to delve into the complexities of what had transpired between us, nor did I want to confront the truth of my feelings—or lack thereof—regarding Hyacinth. But Garrick had a way of making me question everything.
“Can you please stop it with the mind games?” I said, my voice firmer. “I need some time to figure things out on my own.”
“Of course,” he said, stepping back with a mock bow. “I’m just here to offer you a little chaos in the meantime.”
The air between us crackled with tension, and I felt my resolve wavering. “Garrick, we both know what this is. I can’t let you—”
“Let me what?” he interrupted, stepping closer once more. “Dare to challenge the boundaries you’ve set for yourself? You know you enjoy this. The thrill. The unpredictability.”
He was so close now that I could feel the heat radiating off him, his breath brushing against my skin. I wanted to push him away, to deny what was simmering between us, but part of me craved the chaos he offered.
“Like I said, enough with the games,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.
“Games?” Garrick leaned in, his voice low and intoxicating. “This isn’t a game, Rowan. This is real, and you can’t deny the fire we started. You think you can just put it out?”
I opened my mouth to protest, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I felt myself drawn closer, the pull of his presence overwhelming.
“Tell me,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine. “What do you really want? To keep pretending you don’t feel anything? Or to embrace the chaos with me?”
I could feel the intensity in his gaze. My heart raced as I grappled with the truth of his words.
“I…” I hesitated, feeling exposed. “I don’t know what I want.”
“Maybe you do, but you’re just afraid to admit it,” he murmured, closing the gap even more, our bodies almost touching now. The air was thick with unspoken possibilities.
“Garrick,” I warned, my voice strained.
“Rowan,” he urged, his voice a seductive whisper. “You don’t have to decide right now. But don’t act like there isn’t something between us.”
In that charged moment, I could feel the weight of the world outside fading away. The rain outside felt like it grew into a storm which continued to rage.
YOU ARE READING
Crowns And Shadows (MXM) (Book 1)
Romance******** ...I felt myself drawn closer, the pull of his presence overwhelming. "Tell me," he said softly, his eyes searching mine. "What do you really want? To keep pretending you don't feel anything? Or to embrace the chaos with me?" ******** Two k...
