The Art of the Corset

Chapter Eighteen- Through Broken Words

Beating his horse back to the castle, she quickly tied it to the wooden stand before running to her chambers and gathering all she could manage. As she tried to leave, she was cornered by Adams who became angry with her.

"Do you not remember our deal?"

"Screw your deal, he knows. I don't have to be your sex slave anymore. In fact..." She walked over to him and spit directly in his face, making him angry as he pushed her against the bed and forced himself onto her. At least tried to before being yanked off by a third party.

"Get the hell out." Marth said as he shut her door. Suddenly, she felt even more in danger.

"I want you to leave. I have nothing to say."

"Then listen."

"No. I don't want to. I know what you must think of me and I thank you for helping me with him but I don't want anything else from you."

"You've lied to me for months I deserve your time to at least listen..." She threw herself onto the bed before watching him pace. Before he began to speak, she had the nerve to ask a question that dug at her since she saw him.

"How did you find out? Was it Adams?"

"No. Eve, you must think I'm an idiot...A beautiful girl like you, out at that time of night, dressed as you were..."

"And you still took me in?"

"Yes, you needed help and food and a friendly smile."

"But you aren't falling for me?"

He bit his lip before closing his eyes and hanging his head.

"Why did you make me sit here just to tell me you don't care about me?"

"Would you let me talk?"

"I'm not falling for you. Because I already love you. I did the minute I saw you. You were vulnerable and beautiful and broken and needing of me. You needed and I couldn't turn away."

"But all those times we could have physically been together-why turn me away? I know it's not just your religion."

He smirked. "Eve, since I met you I have wanted to take you under me and show you what a real man does when he loves a woman. Since the first second. But I knew you were used to that, being forced and just to survive...."

"And you think you're different?"

"No." He paused. "I know I am. I know that when I'm around you I freeze. I clam up, I'm defenseless. I don't waver when it comes to bats, I don't cower when faced against a snake, and even with a blade pressed deep in my back, I don't ever squirm. But faced with you, I'm weak. You make every single inch of me weak. I was dying to kiss you and touch you and make you mine every time. Especially when we were alone. Hell, even if we weren't." She blushed as he kneeled before her. "Eve, I'm terrified that you're going to run off again and that's why I didn't tell you how I felt. I know how Joseph took you in, I know your secrets and you don't have to run anymore."

"Then why am I so scared?"

"Because you're vulnerable too. Just like I am, just like I always have been. I am dying inside without you. Each moment, each second, each time together, I need you, but I don't want to be just another name to you."

"You aren't. You are the only person I enjoy being around. I can't stand anybody else. Eleanor is loud and sexually charged, Adams is a fiend, Joseph is...I'm not quite sure...you're the only one..."

"Do you love me?"

"With all of me."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was raised to think that that word was just used for posh people. Overused by society. But then I met you, you shattered me, and took me in circles, but I felt I didn't deserve you so I ran. I did what I did best and made my way selling myself."

"I want you to promise me you won't do it anymore. Promise me."

She nodded as he pulled her close. "I need to have you."

Their breathing became fast as she shook her head. Pushing past him, she ran from the castle and into the stables. "No. Not there." She said pulling him into her, pinning her against the wooden stable.