Chapter 15
Tessa watched in alarm as Munchie, the mischievous kitten, knocked over a bucket of paint. She quickly scooped the kitten up and gave its head a gentle bop with a soft, mock list. She said, “You’re disrupting the great artist’s creativity!”
Munchie leto a defiant men, and just like that, the two were bickering like old friends
Edison set down his brand watched them, a tender svile playing at the comers of his lips.
The ce quiet and empty studio was suddenly filled with life,
Tessa placed Munchie outside the studio door and let out a long breath before crouching down to organize the scattered buckets of paint
T’w got it.” Edison said, kneeling down beside her to help, Suddenly, both of their hands landed on the same paint bucket.
Tessa’s face flushed red instantly. She pulled her hand back quickly, but his long, slender fingers pressed down on hers before she could move. Years of painting had left a tine callus on Edison’s fingertips, and she could feel every ridge as they pressed against her wist,
“E–Edison.” she stammered. She tried to wank het hand away, but he suddenly tightened his grip, interlocking their fingers in one flood, unyielding motion.
“You” She flinched, startled, only to be pulled directly into his arms.
The paints they’d just finished sorting scattered acres the floor with a loud clatter
“Don’t move,” he whispered, burying his face into the crook of her neck. His warm breath against her skin made her shiver
Their chests were pressed tightly together, and they could teel each other’s racing heartbeat like a drumbeat echoing between them.
Edison, what are you doing?”
Tessa. After all this time, do you still not understand how I feel about you?” He nuzzled against her neck like a cac, leaving his scent behind.
7-
“Don’t give me that line about how you’ve been divorced,” he cut her off, suddenly lifting her to straddle his lap. His hair brushed her ear, making her squirm from the ticking sensation
“You’ve said that to me mumerous times since you moved in. Is that your way of trying to push me away?” He bit her shoulder lightly, like he was letting out his frustration
You know I’m not giving You’ve fallen for me, too, haven’t you?”
“Edison. Love isn’t a game.” She bit her Ep and hesitated for a long moment before thing. I’ve been hurt before. That’s the only reason I understand this now. I don’t want to end up hurting you too.
“You won’t,” he said fimnly, “You won’t hurt me.”
“Tessi, can’t you accept me?” He suddenly let go, and those eamest eyes of has met hen bead–on. “You know, some people say that they want to take in a stray cat ‘, but then when the cat actually shows up, they don’t want it anymore,
Bora second, slut could almost see a pair of polisted ears polding out from his hair, drooping la disappointment.
“Some people barge into your life like they belong there, but then act like leaving is no big deal…
His voice was heary with emotion, and his hand slowly started to slip away from hers.”1 bet you’ll say you’re moving our tomorrow. Even III show up at the cade
you‘ pretend not to see me,
Edison’s voice dropped lowel as he started to push her away. “Just pretend I was jolding. From now on, we’ll just—”
“Who says I don’t want the cat? I do.”
He froze. Then, he looked up and saw Tessa smiling gently as she wrapped her lingers tightly around his, like she was calming a startled kitten. She softly ran her hand down his back. Her voice was warm against his eas, pulling at something deep inside him.
“You’ve already come to my doorstep. How could I possibly send you away?”
He stared at her,ving, then suddenly kissed her hand.
As they melted into each other, menured against her mouth, “Then, will you abandon the cat and take away its home?”
Breathless, she Lightened her as around his neck. “I will now.
Before she could even finish her thought, he kissed her again. His torth graced her lips as if he were branding her with his mack
Meanwhile, at the Jones residence, Tania was kneeling on the ground, her face red and swollen, streaked with blood.
Two bodyguards stood over her, slapping her across the face again and again with no mercy.
si, Isabelle hadn’t calmed down. She shouted in fury, “How dare you lie to the Joneses!”
Cuford stepped heavily into the room. At the sight of him, Isabelle rushed forward “Clifford Where’s Tessa? Did she forgive you?”
clidbod’s face was grim as he shook his head
opo. This is all my fault.. She must hate me now! Isabelle turned and slapped Tania so hard that the latter fell to the ground.
“You filthy bitch! You thought you could trap the jos amily?”
clined stared coldly at the woman sobbing on the floor. His assistant swords echoed in his mind, causing rage and hatred to roll in his chest. He roared, ” So get in here and get rid of her baby!”
Tania looked up, stunned. Her eyes welled with tears “Chiloed, nol Please don’t! I’ll die!
But he just looked down at her with a pair of eyes devoid of the gentleness they once beld, “Oh, come on. Isn’t this what you love? Playing the victim? Miscantages?
“Mr. Grey’s already given the word. You and the baby are both in our hands now His eyes were as cold as ice. “Take her out of here and get rid of that baby.”
Chamar 16
Chapter 16
