Now In Command

Terrified

I was scared. Afraid. Terrified.

I didn't want to be that cliche male in a movie and waited forever to tell Evan the truth about me. But I also did not want to see her reaction when she found out.

After introducing her to everyone in walking distance while steering clear of my parents, I invited her to my room. She looked wary but I promised her it nothing weird was going to happen.

"You're right nothing weird." She said after I closed my room door behind us. "Just creepy."

I smiled at her sense of humor but I understood where she was coming from. Right now she was staring at all the dresses and jewelry that the guard bought for her.

"What is all this?"

"It's yours. I kind of bought everything you touched on the day you went shopping." She looked at me confused. "Please don't think I'm creepy."

"I don't." She bowed her head and made her hair cover her face. "I'm just wondering why."

"I like you." I replied simply. I walked over to where she was standing and lifted her chin. "Don't hide your face from me."

She walked past me and looked through everything I bought her. I sat on my bed and watched her fingers glide over every article of clothing and every piece of jewelry.

"This is my mother's necklace." She paused at a simple sliver necklace with one giant pendant. "I can't believe you bought it. Can I have it? I'll pay you back."

"This is all yours but only if you make me a promise."

"Anything." She said eagerly.

"Don't run away from me." She scrunched up her eyebrows and looked at me like she was trying to figure me out. Finally she nodded.

"I won't."

"Can I?" I asked referring to the necklace. She nodded and turned around and I fiddled with it until I could clasp it around her neck. I couldn't resist the urge to slide my index finger down her spine. She shivered against my touch and I wanted to kiss her.

"Why is your mother's necklace in the store anyways?" I asked giving her shoulders a skillful massage. I debated in my head if this was an appropriate time to kiss her shoulder blade; my head said no but I did it anyways.

"When she left, I had to pawn it for a little extra cash." She answered her breathing getting heavier.

"Where did she go?" I asked my lips slowly moving up her neck.

"She passed away. Both my parents did actually." I stopped kissing and Dennis voice was clear in my head.

"All I know that she has a rough past."

I turned her around to face me. "Evan, I didn't mean to bring up a sad memory. I'm sorry."

"Honestly I'm fine." She said confidently. I was proud of her. "It happened when I was twelve-years-old. I've heard 'I'm sorrys' to serve me a lifetime."

"Can I ask what happened?"

"Wild animal attack." My stomach dropped immediately. Is it possible it was a rogue? No! Too coincidental. "No one really knows what animal to be honest. It's fine, I have found peace with the situation. I'm just glad I have Diane."

"Why?" I asked genuinely interested.

"She took me in when I was alone. I don't know if I have any other family out there but I know for sure I have her. Her parents were, or I should say ARE rich snobs. They moved out the village and into a big fancy schmancy home. They showed me off to the media like I was a charity case to make themselves look good but I didn't care. I had a good roof over my head, food every day and a new sister that loved me."