Little Dark One

11 - ritual

Tommy

Her small hands could barely reach halfway around my bicep as she pulled me back to face her. Once she had my attention she dropped her hand like my skin shocked her. 

"I want to thank you. For saving my life last night." she murmured, her cheeks flushing pink. 

I couldn't stand hearing the words leave her mouth. It only intensified my guilt. Last night happened because of me, and what I caused. She didn't need to thank me for doing the bare minimum. I knew death is not what she really wanted, and it caused me physical discomfort in my chest to know it almost pulled her under. 

"You don't need to thank me." 

"I know, but I appreciate it. I didn't really want to die, I don't know what came over me." She said quietly. 

I just shook my head, brushing it off. I wasn't sure how to interact with this gorgeous, complex woman. She was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. I was drawn to her, borderline obsessed, it was completely out of line. I had to control myself around her. 

"Where did you sleep last night?" she asked shyly. Gazing up at me with wide eyes. 

"I didn't." I replied bluntly. 

"Oh." she whispered. I could tell I was having an effect on her, I kept catching her staring at my arms. It made my insides warm, knowing it was mutual. I've never spent time with a woman outside of bed. Except for Siren. All of the Revenants were men, even my household staff like the chef and housekeeper were male. 

I craved her touch so badly, I searched my brain for any legitimate excuse to touch her again but came up blank. Instead I backed away from her, out of the closet, before I did something I would regret. 

She followed me out of the closet to her bedroom door, she stood in the doorway as I crossed the hall to my own bedroom. I felt more at ease with her being so close. If she needed anything, or something happened I wouldn't have to sprint through the entire house to reach her again. 

"Night, Keira." I murmured as I closed my door. She remained in her doorway, holding her door open, watching me retreat with a curious gaze. 

"Goodnight, Tommy." I heard her whisper my name as I shut my door. I pressed my hands against the wood, holding my ear to it. She sighed and closed her bedroom door gently moments later. 

I couldn't help the small smile that plastered on my features as I repeated the recent memory of her saying my name. It sounded good coming out of her mouth, more personal. Suddenly I liked my name, and I never have before. I haven't heard my first name in a long time. I had outlawed its use. I had no family left, and the Revenants called me Knox, or boss exclusively. I wouldn't have it any other way. Even Blaze dropped the first name basis when I rose to power.

I need to cool off. I trudged through the house until I made it outside to the back patio. It was after midnight, Keira was most likely falling asleep and most of my men wouldn't be around at this time. The Southern California air was balmy on my skin, but I enjoyed it. The quiet, dark atmosphere was where I felt the most calm. 

I eyed the cool lapping water of the pool and stripped out of my jacket and t-shirt. I felt like I was being watched, but no one was around. 

I peeled my dark jeans off and dove into the exquisite water, attempting to wash off thoughts of Keira as I swam. Her eyes, her lips, her perfect curves... as much as I tried to rinse away my uncontrollable thoughts, the memories stuck firm, solid as a stone in my chaotic mind. 

I folded my arms on the marble surrounding the pool, resting for a moment. Movement caught the corner of my eye and I glanced up at Keira's balcony. I was right, I was being watched. She quickly turned her beautiful head up towards the stars when I caught her staring. 

She was sitting on the ledge of the railing, with her legs curled up against her chest, her small arms holding them in place. All of the beautiful clothing Siren got her, and she chose to wear sweatpants and a simple crop top.

I was nervous watching her so high up on the ledge, if she fell she could get seriously injured. The soft grass below wouldn't save her. It was reckless. I tried to slap some mental sense into myself, I was acting like an overprotective mother. Pathetic. 

She glanced back and met my gaze that never left her. Turning away again, embarrassed I had caught her for a second time. She shook her head and moved to get down from the ledge and go back inside. 

It was our unspoken ritual, night after night she would sit out on her balcony and gaze at the stars, while I cleared my head and swam below her. And night after night, we would share longing glances without a word. Staring at each other throughout the late night when the other wasn't looking.

After a couple weeks of our midnight ritual I finally lost control. 

"Keira, wait." I called before I could stop myself. She turned back my direction slowly, unsure of my intentions, looking down at me.

She didn't say anything, she just looked at me waiting for me to explain why I am finally calling up to her. Honestly, I don't know myself. My mouth moves faster than my brain sometimes.

"Do you want to come down?" I asked, stupidly.

"It's late." She said, "And I don't know the code." She gestured behind her, referring to the top floor passcode to get in and out.

"Jump." I said before I could stop myself "I'll catch you."

She stared back at my like I was completely insane, maybe I was.