جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

I couldn’t look away.My breathing began to quicken. We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to.He knew.And I knew too.The desire he was fighting was the same one consuming me.He was the first to move. One step forward and then he stopped. As if he were fighting himself. Fighting what he wanted to do.I lifted myself slightly without breaking the connection between us. I needed to feel his touch against my skin. I didn’t know why. I was nervous, and suddenly the library felt far too small for the two of us.I swallowed, my throat dry.His eyes followed the movement.That was when he couldn’t take it anymore. He crossed the distance between us in long strides. Almost instinctively, I stood at the exact moment he reached me. His arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me toward him.Our bodies collided.I inhaled sharply in surprise.And he lost himself. A low groan escaped from deep in his throat.In one quick but gentle movement, his right hand moved behind my neck and pulled me closer, hi

Regret and hurt hit me seconds after the words left my mouth and he said nothing.I stood there, frozen between the door and him, while Leonard now looked like a statue. When he realized how uncomfortable the situation had become, he gently set me down and tried to compose himself, clearing his throat and running a hand through his hair.I don’t think I had ever felt so embarrassed in my life.I stepped away from him, suddenly feeling the cold against my body where his warmth had been only moments before.Leonard opened the door again and, without looking at me, simply said,“Good night, then. Sleep well.”And he left, closing the door behind him.It was a sleepless night filled with tossing and turning, cold sweats, hurt, and discomfort.I analyzed every pro and con of Leonard, just as I did with every difficult decision in my life. I also analyzed his behavior toward me. Even though I wasn’t a behavioral analyst, I had always been very observant. I knew when people approached me out

“Hello. You probably weren’t expecting a message from the person you were supposed to go on a date with. Or maybe Claire has already told you. I just wanted to know if you’re doing okay. No pressure to reply, of course.Take care,Erik”Erik.Nice name.And such a polite message.Claire had been right. He only wanted to be courteous. I stretched out on the bed, phone in hand, and decided to reply.“Hi, Erik. This is Blair, the woman from your supposed date. First of all, I’m sorry I can’t make it, but I don’t know how much ‘Miss Claire’ has told you. Unfortunately, it really isn’t possible for me to attend the date she arranged.However, judging by your message alone, I hope we might have another opportunity in the future.Take care,Blair”Was I any good at this?No.But I had never claimed to be.I sent the message anyway and refused to think about him any further.As I locked my phone, I heard voices outside.It was them.My door wasn’t closed, and even though I wasn’t trying to lis

Before I could answer, Leonard entered the library, coming quickly down the stairs.Susan and I continued looking at each other, almost as though we had silently agreed that this conversation would remain between us.“Blair?”He looked at Susan.“I’m sorry for interrupting. I tried to wait a little longer, but I couldn’t. Blair, I really need to talk to you.”His voice carried something I couldn’t quite identify.Anger.Desperation.“Why is this chair here? This isn’t a chair for you to sit in.”Susan tried to argue, but I didn’t even hear her response.Leonard’s tone contained something between desperation and anger, but I was numb after everything that had happened.I had already stood up from the uncomfortable chair and was walking toward the glass doors leading to the balcony.“Blair?”“Where are you going?”I stopped.“Leonard!”I turned slightly.I knew Susan would stop him from coming after me.I raised one hand and waved lightly, asking him to let me go.And, at the same time,

I went down the stairs far too quickly, my heart pounding so hard that I could hear it in my ears.“Blair?”I stopped at the entrance to the library.“I'm sorry, Susan, for interrupting. I tried to wait a little longer, but I couldn't.”My eyes immediately found Blair.“Blair, I really need to talk to you.”Then I noticed the chair.“Why is this chair here? This isn't a chair for you to sit in.”She was sitting on one of the kitchen chairs.I was going to have a word with Anthony about this ridiculous oversight.Susan was saying something, but I wasn't listening.My eyes were fixed on Blair.She didn't look well.She looked…Defeated.She stood and began walking toward the balcony doors.What the hell was happening?“Blair, where are you going?”She stopped.“Leonard!”I started moving toward her.But Susan grabbed my arm and stopped me.Blair raised one hand and waved.She was leaving.I looked at Susan, waiting for an explanation.She was still holding my arm.I pulled her hands away