Chapter 0029
Once I was certain she was fast asleep, I got up and set the book aside. Pressing a soft kiss to her temple, I whispered, “Sweet
dreams, my little one.”
Leaving her room, I headed back to my own, where the daunting binder Elijah had given me lay open on the desk. Fifty more pages of names, faces, and alliances stared back at me. We had made great progress today, but there was still so much left to
learn, and I had to make sure that my memory was perfect by the time the gala came up.
I wouldn’t be sleeping much anyway tonight, I figured. So, with a sigh, I settled into the chair and resumed
my
y work
Hours passed as I tried to commit the details to memory. My eyes grew bleary, the names, faces, and information on the page.
starting to swim before me. Hours passed, and still I didn’t make much progress.
Rubbing my temples, I realized I needed a break. My throat was dry, and the clock read half past midnight. Grabbing my empty
glass, I decided to get some more water.
The house was blissfully quiet as I made my way downstairs to the kitchen, the wooden floors cool beneath my bare feet. Flicking
on the light, I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw a figure standing by the counter.
“Goddess above!” I gasped, my hand flying to my chest.
Elijah turned to face me, equally startled by the sudden light. “Agnes?”
“What are you doing here?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his gaze. “This is my house…”
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. Of course it was his house. And of course he had every right to be in his own kitchen in the middle. of the night. But what threw me off was the fact that he was standing there shirtless, his toned physique illuminated under the.
warm light.
“I
“I… I didn’t expect anyone to be here,” I stammered, quickly turning away.
“You might want to fill that before you head back,” Elijah suddenly said with a soft chuckle before I could go.
I froze, my face reddening even more as I looked down at the empty glass in my hand. “Right,” I mumbled, feeling even more foolish. I stepped toward the sink but hesitated, suddenly hyper–aware of Elijah’s proximity. I could practically feel the warmth
radiating off his shirtless torso.
He noticed my hesitation. “Allow me.” Taking the glass from my hand, his fingers brushed lightly against mine, sending a subtle
jolt up my arm.
I watched as he filled the glass, the sound of running water filling the silence between us. Handing it back to me, his eyes met
mine. “Here you go.”
“I
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
1/2
+15 BONUS
An awkward silence settled over the room as I took the glass. I took a sip of water, hoping it would help cool the warmth I felt
creeping up my neck.
Elijah cleared his throat. “About last night…”
olu. “Yes?”
I looked up sharply. “Yes?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I wanted to apologize.”
“Apologize?” I echoed, surprised.
“Yes. I shouldn’t have kissed you without… resolving things with Olivia first. It was disrespectful to you.”
I shook my head. “No, I should be the one apologizing, I was impulsive and I put you in an awkward position.”
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