Chapter 8

#Chapter 8

Warren

Longing. That's the only word in the entire world that can describe what I felt the second I caught the glimpse of the girl who's been sneaking into my dreams for years. Like a magic spell, she has ruled my mind for almost a decade, and Even though so many seasons have passed, nothing or no one has managed to expel her from my system.

Like a drug, her traces linger in my blood, enhancing my addiction to her.

The one person I can't have in my life no matter how hard I try. Yet I burn for her brighter than any fire in the world.

Beautiful. That's how Evelyn looked when I saw her walking in the street wearing a white sleeveless top that left her smooth honey-tone arms out in the open. The thin cloth hugged her curves softly like a lover, and the slightly deep neckline exposed the birthmark a few centimeters above her cleavage. The very birthmark that has always fascinated me due to its unusual location.

Strolling alone in the evening while eating ice cream is how I saw Evelyn for the first time in ten years.

Not once I thought I'd meet her so casually. Not that I had thought I'd get to see her face ever again in my life.

In my mind, our crossing paths was never possible.

After what happened between us, I felt like the undefined forces of the universe would do everything in their power to lure her away from me. That I'd never even catch a blur of her, let alone get a full picture of the woman she's grown into.

For so many years I visualized how she'd look: her face, her hair, her body, practically every inch of her. Because I knew I wouldn't have the luxury of ever seeing her again with my own eyes.

Today when I saw her for real, I realized that my imagination didn't do justice to the actual sight of her. She was far beyond my theories.

Evelyn looked so fucking beautiful and soft that my heart ached in my chest, and pain swam through me begging me to get near her. And I did. I couldn't stay away.

Evelyn Melgren, the girl I fell in love with ten years ago, still makes my heart beat faster than my daily treadmill run.

The very thought of her stimulates a festival of emotions inside of me. Fireworks, butterflies, heat, or whatever the fuck these things are called, I experience them. And with so much intensity that sometimes I have to lean next to a surface and let my heart burn in desire of wanting someone I'd never have the possibility of being with. That's how much I ignite for her.

I wasn't surprised when I saw her munching on her favorite. Treating herself to ice cream is what she used to do.

It startles me that even after years, some things haven't changed. One of them being me melting inside at seeing her standing so close to me.

The fucking things she does to me and has no idea about.

Her once frizzy brown hair is now silky and tamed. The way it was straight from the head and bundled into curls at the ends is something that she still hasn't changed.

I've always loved her hair. I clearly remember how she used to fuss about her hair being so unmanageable, but now she seems to have no problem with it.

"Sir we've arrived." Tristan's curt announcement tugs me away from my thoughts, which have been consumed by her since she walked away from me.

Tristan is sitting in the passenger seat, composed and vigilant. He's an ex-Navy SEAL, trained and experienced in combat, shooting, and other pursuits. But the thing that made me hire him is his solemn attitude and his perception of his surroundings. His eyes catch unusual movements before the person can even act. It took me a week to study him, and I gave him the job three years ago. He's one of my best men, if not the best man.

But right now I'm pissed at him.

"I want to speak to you both." The two men turn their heads toward me in acknowledgment.

Aiden is a skilled bodyguard I hired from the best protection-providing agency. Tristan mentioned him to me, and I didn't think twice about giving Aiden the job. Two years have passed, and he's never let me down once.

"Next time either one of you touches that woman, I won't hesitate to shoot you on spot. She is off-limits. I don't care if she puts a fucking bullet through me, no one will touch her or speak to her. Understand?" A nod is all I need to leave the car.

Taking the private elevator to my penthouse, I examine the area that Evelyn hit.

Even after the long silent car ride I still can't comprehend what happened. She fucking punched me —which I deserved, but I never saw it coming.

In the magnitude of possibilities, her fist colliding with my jaw never appeared. But fuck she landed a strong punch. For a second my whole head rang with vibrations and I almost saw black dots blinking in front of my eyes.

In the mirror, a bruise reflects back and I hiss when I caress it. God knows what everyone will think when I show up at the office in the morning.

With a chiming ping the doors open, and an elegant foyer spreads out into a giant living room. On the side is the pristine kitchen overlooking the night skyline of Seattle. I paid a hefty amount just to enjoy this view. And indeed every penny was well spent.

"I was about to call you." Connor enters the kitchen as I remove my jacket and take an ice pack out of the freezer.

"What's the ice for?" I turn my head and show him the bruise which earns me a chuckle.

"Fuck man. Who hit you?" I press the ice pack to my jaw and grit my teeth at the sudden cold sensation.

"Evelyn," I murmur, embarrassed.

"What the fuck? She's here in Seattle? And you went to see her?" Annoyance buzzes through me at his loud voice.

"Lower your voice. And no, I didn't go to see her. I saw her on the sidewalk eating ice cream." And looking happy. All that I've ever wanted her to be.

"Did you talk to her?" I nod my head, grimacing as the whole conversation replays in my mind.

"She wants nothing to do with me." Connor takes the stool beside me.

"And she proved her point by punching you." When his lips tilt in a smile I want to murder him for finding amusement in my misery.

"It's not like that."

"Alright, how is it then?" Taking two beers from the refrigerator he unscrews them and puts one in front of me. I take a huge sip.

"I asked her to dinner, and she answered me with a fucking punch. I didn't think she'd be this mad at me. It's been ten years after all."

Connor's laughter echoes throughout the otherwise silent penthouse. "Oh my God, this is hilarious. I always knew you were business-smart and not girl-smart. Man, how did you even find the courage to ask her out?"