Page 84 of Range
“No matter how perfect. No matter how poised. No matter how proper. I am not in the kitchen cooking. I’m on the front line. I always have been. You live in a glass house. It’ll crumble with me inside. Someone is always throwing stones my way.”
“Range, we’re–”
“Not compatible. Not for the long term you’re planning in that handsome head of yours. This was temporary. A fix. Some fun.”
“I’ve fallen in love with you.”
“You’ve fallen in love with what I do for you. How I make you feel. What my presence offers. You’re not in love with me, Kason. You don’t know me. You have no earthly idea who I am or what I’m capable of. You’ve fallen for the idea of me. And, the ideal of me is nothing like the real me. You can’t handle her.”
“Let me try.”
“You can’t handle the version of me I gifted you. It would be foolish of me to think you could handle the other.”
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. I leaned forward, placing my lips on his cheek.
“Goodbye, Kason.”
As I turned around, an unfamiliar face greeted me. I gripped my gun, prepared to squeeze at any moment.
“Range–”
Though unfamiliar, the aura of the chocolate coated gentleman was one I recognized. He was shirtless with linen shorts blowing in the wind.
“Yes?”
“I am Fahad Jones. Mr. Blackwood demands you leave this–” he paused, peering over my shoulder at Kason, “Monstrosity and come aboard his private yacht.”
“You know this man, Range?”
I shook my head, never lending my eyes to Kason.
“No. But, I’m familiar with his kind.”
I stepped forward, taking the hand of the stranger. The urge to disobey Josiah’s orders didn’t cross my mind.
“You can put your gun away, Mrs. Blackwood. You won’t need it around me.”
My heartbeat skipped. I looked into Fahad’s brown eyes with curiosity rimming mine. I didn’t have the gall to correct him.
Mrs. Blackwood.
It lingered on my tongue though the words hadn’t come from my mouth. It lingered in my spirit. It stirred my soul.
A tender madeit possible for transporting. I boarded the beautiful yacht with Fahad’s assistance. It was cream in color with navy accents. Gold accented the darkest parts, where navy was plentiful.
I entered the main cabin alone. Fahad’s disappearance wasn’t a surprise. Someone had to man the wheel.
In the fully furnished living room were large windows, an oversized couch, two love seats, and a round coffee table that was bolted to the floor. My eyes wandered out into the open sea. The boat Kason had rented grew smaller as the seconds passed. Distance was getting in between us, just as differences had gotten between us over the last few weeks.
I gathered my bearings and leaned my nose toward the large glass vase on the table. It was overflowing with flowers. Baby’s breath was my favorite on most days. Today was one of them.
Underneath the vase was a note. This time, it wasn’t on legal paper. Neither was it Josiah’s handwriting. I’d studied the last letter long enough to know how he dotted his i’s and crossed his t’s.
Sunshine,
What’s mine is yours now. Don’t deprive yourself of what you rightfully deserve for the sake of comfort and familiarity. Keep my days sunny and I’ll keep your plate full.
Siah
