The Lost Queen

Chapter 13. Unexplainable feelings

Kayla

I didn’t know when I had enough courage to take Ace’s hand, but after that I felt much better and lighter. He looked so vulnerable and lost that my heart ached, and I wanted to take away his pain which was evident in his eyes. I even forgot why we were here and when Ace’s eyes locked on mine, we stared intently at each other. My emotions were raw and new, and I didn’t know what to do with them.

I let go his hand and turned my eyes to the street. People walked through the café engrossed in their lives and looked so normal and comforting.

“I’m sorry Kayla.” My head snapped back when I heard the hoarse Ace's voice. His eyes were full of guilt, but I didn’t understand what was happening.

“For what?”

“I was lost in sorrowful memories and for a moment I forgot that I’m here with you.” His smile was weak, and a chill went down my spine. “Tell me what my brother did. I hope he is not responsible for the blood on your blouse?”

Instantly I felt ashamed of the need to tell him about my struggles. Even if my harasser was his brother, I felt weak and small, because I wanted to confide in him. I was weak because today I needed someone else to solve my problem, but yesterday I was so sure about my independence. It was pathetic and I was a true jokester.

My mind was all over the place and when I remembered that I hadn’t answered I felt shame slowly creeping up my neck. I glanced quickly at Ace and found a curious smile playing on his lips. I could still feel light tingling on my skin when our hands touched, and my cheeks reddened.

“I… I think it was a bad idea.” I stuttered. “I’m not feeling comfortable talking about it.” Finally, I managed to admit it.

“What did he do, Kayla? Did he hurt you in some way?”

“He tried.” My whisper was way too quiet, but Ace’s eyes got wide, and I was surprised when I saw the gold in his glance turning almost black. “I had some bruise on my arm and he squeezed too tightly, that’s when my arm started bleeding.”

Ace was breathing heavily, and I didn’t know if that was because of my accusations or he was mad at his brother. I didn’t want to know. Maybe I need to leave?

“What else did Kade do?” I flinched, hearing a throaty growl. It was almost the same as mine when I tried to get rid of his brother. After a minute, I registered that I finally had a name for my harasser. Somehow, that name suited him and now he wasn’t a stranger anymore.

“Kade?” I blinked a few times after pronouncing the name out loud. Ace dumbfoundedly scrutinized my face and finally managed to nod.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t even know your brother’s name.” I covered up my face with my palms and felt the blush creeping up my cheeks.

“Hey, hey.” Ace’s touch was so soft I felt a shiver running along his fingers on my skin. I opened my eyes slowly and saw my palm in his hand. “That’s the problem, Kayla. You don’t know my brother’s name and his behaviour was inexcusable, so please tell me everything that happened between you two.”

For a second I was full of doubt, but then I started explaining everything from the first encounter and how it made me uncomfortable. My voice was a little shaky when I stuttered about today’s incident, but I told him every small detail and his stalking in the girls’ bathroom and even added an incident with the unknown guy who tried to capture me against my will.

While I was talking, I avoided Ace’s gaze because it was too heavy, and I wasn’t strong enough to hold it. My fingers cupped the lukewarm cup which was still full, but even the thought of a small sip was making me nauseous. My feelings were so complex I didn’t know how to act. When I took my hand away for the second time, he didn’t try to touch me, but I saw a longing gaze in his eyes and a small smile crept back on to my face.

Something unexplainable was happening, like an illusion with magic and joy. Never in my life I wanted so much to touch another person, but with Ace everything looked easier. Was I becoming crazy? I didn’t know him and saw him twice, so how could I feel this safety when I was in his company?

When I finished talking, Ace stared furiously at me, but somehow I could feel that it wasn’t directed at me. I didn’t even feel it when fresh tears welled in my eyes, but quickly I wiped them out and concentrated my gaze on the man in front of me.

Gosh, he was handsome but not in a soft way adorable, but roughly attractive. His dark hair was a little bit curly and messy, and I wanted to brush my fingers through it, just to feel its softness. His eyes shone like two golden stones and the sight was magical.

I felt so hot that I wanted to jump on him and put my hands in his hair, lips on his mouth and just kiss him passionately, but when I snapped out of a strange daze I found an amused grin on Ace's face.

“Are you feeling better now?” His voice was smooth like silk and a pleasurable shiver ran down my body.

“I do. Thanks for listening.” I nodded, looking at the window and gloomy clouds. Any moment, the sky could break through, and rain will flood the streets. Sometimes rain was the answer to every prayer that you could muster. It’s cleansing in a way that you don’t need an explanation, don’t need a reason to believe in its healing experience.

“I will talk with Kade about everything, and I will make sure that he will leave you alone. If he still bothers you, just give me a call and I will try again, just with different methods.” Ace smirked at me and pulled out his phone from his suit jacket.

“Why are you taking care of him? Aren’t your parents concerned about his behaviour?” I asked curiously. For a second, Ace silently gaped at me and I felt uncomfortable about asking, but then he smiled sadly, and I understood immediately. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay. They died a long time ago.” Ace's eyes were full of sorrow, and I felt bad for bringing that up.

“My parents are dead too.” I declared, emotionless, and the man’s eyes in front of me widened. “I was always on the move. This time it’s my fifth family and I hope it will be the last.“ I managed to drink a few sips of cold coffee and checked the time. “Anyway, I have to go now, but thanks for your help and your listening. It means a lot to me.”

After I stood up, a loud thunder shook the sky and lightning struck right after. Rain started pouring and I felt uneasiness in my stomach. I will come home wet like a dog. I slumped back into my seat and hopelessly looked at Ace. He smiled at me softly and leaned into his chair. His black shirt strained across his muscular chest and my eyes travelled down from his face. Ace chuckled amused and my cheeks blushed.

I was acting like a teenager! Like an inexperienced and shy schoolgirl! Well, I was inexperienced, but I never considered myself shy.

„Don’t worry, I will drive you home.” Ace huskily reassured me, and I raised my eyebrows.

“You don’t have to do it. I will wait for it.” Once again I was captivated by gorgeous eyes and gold floating inside the orbs. It seriously looked like it wasn’t a consistent colour. His gaze hid so many emotions that when I could see a small glimpse, I was mesmerised and felt kind of drunk. Small sparks danced on my skin, and I already felt like I was lost in the golden ocean without an opportunity to reach a safe shore.

“It’s a shame that I can do so little, Kayla. Let me drive you home safely.” His eyes were full of sincerity, and I couldn’t decline it. Even if I wanted, my words didn’t leave my mouth and I only managed to nod. “I would like to… repay you somehow, for every moment when my brother harassed you, but I…”

“It’s not your fault Ace.” I started by shaking my head. “I don’t need anything, it’s just… I want to finish school in peace. I have less than four months and I would like to do it without your brother’s influence. That’s everything that I need.”

Ace nodded firmly but didn’t look away and I wasn’t strong enough to turn away at first. Somehow, I felt that I wouldn’t see Ace again and because of that I felt much more sad than I should. All this meeting had to be about his brother’s behaviour, not about our connection, which was raw and unfamiliar. Even if I wanted to get something more, my freedom was more important and if I had feelings for this man, I would be trapped in this town or I would leave, and my heart would break into a thousand pieces. I didn’t want either of those things, that’s why I needed to leave, no matter that rain was pouring, and I couldn’t see a thing.

The most important thing was to guard my heart from this alluring man who somehow managed to get a piece of me without knowing that.