Page 41 of Scarlet Embrace

“Yes, just like you requested,” she told me. “And you are paying me quite well for that.”

Yes, I really didn’t care about the money, but over the night, I had decided that for both our sakes, it was best to let her go. Ending things with Elena was the best option for the two of us.

“Yeah. I think it’s time to bring an end to everything,” I told her.

She paused, looking at me. A wide variety of emotions played on her face. First confusion, then acceptance, then neutral.

“Did I do something to displease you?” she finally asked.

You are driving me crazy.

“No,” I answered.

“Do you hate me?” she asked.

“Far from it,” I said, looking away.

“Then why are you ending our relationship?”

“Because it’s the best option for both of us,” I struggled to say those words.

“Says who? How dare you decide what’s best for me?” She asked with anger.

Tears were dripping down her eyes, and my heart broke watching her cry. I hated the fact that I was responsible for her tears. I brought my hands to wipe them away, but I stopped myself. Doing that would only confuse her.

“I never pegged you as a coward, you know,” Elena said as she got up to her feet.

“Coward?” I asked, not sure what she meant by that.

“Yes. You pretend to be brave and macho, but you are scared to admit your feelings. I guess it’s best things end this way, as I don’t want to be with a man who can’t admit how he truly feels.”

Her words felt like a slap on my face, and I stared at her for a few seconds. This wasn’t how I wanted this whole thing to go, but she was making it difficult for me.

“Elena, I think you are confused about why I’m ending things,” I started.

“Then explain it to me,” she said, her hands on her hips.

She was angry. I could tell.

“I can’t risk pulling you into my world,” I got onto my feet. “The more time I spend with you, the more I crave your presence, and I’m not the only one. Ever since that kiss, I’ve been unable to get you out of my mind. I want to hold you right next to me, but doing that will only put you in danger, and I can’t afford that.”

“Because?”

“Because my enemies will go after you since you’d be my biggest weakness,” I said as I tried to close the distance between us. I held her hands in mine and looked into hers. I wiped her tears this time. “I want you in every sense of the word, Elena, and if we cross that line, there’s no going back.”

She looked at me as I slowly rubbed my thumb against her lower lips. All I wanted was to taste those lips again. To savor the sweet taste that only she could give me. Elena wasn’t resisting my touch, and I knew she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. I leaned in for a kiss and our lips met.

At first, it was a slow kiss, gentle yet speaking volumes of our desire for each other. Soon, we both became overwhelmed with passion, and we kissed each other hard. I broke off the kiss with my forehead against hers.

“Are you sure you’re not going to regret this?” I asked her.

“Maybe. But I know I’m going to regret it if I leave,” she answered.

For me, that was all the answer I needed, and I kissed her again, knowing that this woman was now mine and mine alone.

CHAPTER 18: ELENA

ANSWERS