by B C Morgan
“No, you are not getting rid of me that easily. You want me gone then fine, but I will wait for you in the waiting room,” she drops a kiss on my cheek before walking out of the room.
The door opens five minutes later and I don’t look around but the hairs on the back of my neck start to rise and I can feel it all the way down to my toes, my luck has run out and I know before he sits behind his desk that it’s Cole.
“Luna, what happened?” He looks concerned as he reads over my file.
“I w-was in a d-dance class and landed awkwardly, my ankle has been h-h-hurting ever since. I can’t stand on it,” I say, as he comes to stand beside me and help me out of the chair.
“Let’s get you on the table so I can get a look at it,” he lifts me on the table and his fingers make light work of my loose work out trousers as he slides the leg up to my knee.
My breath falters as he makes contact with my skin but it soon changes from anxious to pain, when he touches my ankle.
“It’s okay, nothing to worry about. It’s just a light sprain, I’ll wrap it up, make sure to keep off it for the next few days, ice it often and you’ll be back on your feet in no time. Have you got anyone to help you back to your room? I can give you a pair of crutches and some pain killers, but I’d feel better if you have someone with you to help navigate the stairs.”
“Umm yeah, I have a friend in the waiting room,” I say, feeling confused. I mean I expected him to be professional, but not this much.
“Okay then, I’ll get you fixed up and then I’ll get your friend for you,” he gives me a smile before returning to his desk.
“Umm, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean? Sorry was there something else you wanted to discuss?” He asks, tilting his head to the side as he looks at me.
“No I guess not,” why is this hurting, didn’t I decide that I couldn’t be with him? I know I haven’t told him that yet, so surely this should make it easier.
“Very well, give me a few minutes to get you the meds and crutches and then you’ll be good to go,” he walks past and I should let him, but my body isn’t listening to sense as my hand springs out and wraps around his wrist.
He looks down at my hand but he doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t even look at me.
“I was going to tell you not to wait for me,” I whisper and I watch his jaw work as he grinds his teeth together.
“I had figured that one out already, thanks for driving the point home. Now if you could let go of me, I’d rather not prolong this.”
“Hang on a minute, why are you being like this?”
“Because you can’t decide something like that and then want me to be okay Luna, it hurts,” his voice rises and my hand falls limp against the bed. “I can’t help who I’m related to, I just didn’t think you would judge me for it,” I can see genuine pain in his eyes and I don’t like it.
Sliding my legs off the bed until they are dangling over the edge. My mind is screaming at me not to touch him again but my hand still slides to his face and although he jerks to the side, he doesn’t stop me or move away completely.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, although I feel like I should. I decided this because it wouldn’t be fair to ask you to wait when I won’t be in here waiting for you and I know you said you would be okay with that but I won’t be. I’d feel like I’m betraying you Cole and I’m trying to treat this as a business arrangement but I can’t guarantee that I can keep emotions out of this completely. What if I start to feel something for one of the guys? How is that fair to you?” My words are coming out rushed and I’m expecting a lot of reactions from him, but not a smile. Not the megawatt smile that always lights me up and steals my breath at the same time.
“Really, that’s the reason you were going to say no. Damn Luna then there’s still a chance,” he holds my face between both hands and I want to get lost in the look in his eyes and the happiness radiating from him, but I know I can’t. It’s an illusion and I can’t let myself believe in it.
“Cole it’s a pipe dream, it can’t work. Do you know how much it would kill me knowing that you were kissing, touching another girl? I can’t do that to you, and what if what we feel is just a fantasy? I can’t make you wait for something like that.”
“That’s the thing Luna, I’m not counting on a fantasy or a dream. I know what I feel and I know that I want you and if that means I wait for three years then I will. I don’t care what you have to do to survive this place, I know what it means to be here and I’m resigned to my fate. As long as you’re mine at the end of it, I will wait for you. I know you’re worth it,” he’s so close and I could kiss him so easily and fall into him.
He’s so sure about this, can I really do it? Just dive in and say fuck the consequences, I think I can but first I have to know.
“Why would your family have made me say no?”
He pulls away and starts to pace before he turns back to me and his mouth loses the smile and pulls down the edges.
“I thought you would have figured it out by now,” yeah I’m getting that feeling too, I guess this is what I get for being preoccupied and having too many things jumbling about in my mind. “Luna, I’m a Harkwright.”
18
Oh What A Masquerade
“Luna, I’m a Harkwright.”
Those words won’t stop swimming around my head, he’s left the room to get my things as I sit here and just let it sink in. I mean, I know this shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Aeron had said that he had been in the Academy, I guess I just never really put two and two together, whenever I did I came up with ten and just presumed he meant as a doctor or something.
I just, he’s Cole Stevenson. If he’s a Harkwright then why does he hide it or am I the only one who doesn’t know? The door opens and he comes in with his eyes downcast as he props the crutches next to me and puts the meds on the table.
“I don’t understand, how are you a Harkwright? Your last name is Stevenson.”
“I was born a Harkwright and I attended this Academy six years ago, I hated every minute of it. I was only here because I wanted to use its name to make it as a doctor, but it wasn’t worth it and I wasn’t willing to sell my soul to get it,” he grimaces as he looks at me. “That isn’t anything against you, but this Academy isn’t easy for every Harkwright man either. I couldn’t do the shit that was expected of me, using girls left, right and center or just being a dick in general. The worst part though was watching the girls getting beaten and used, and not being able to do anything to help them. I left after the first year, renounced my surname and went to Notre Dame University off my own merits. My decision left me disowned by my mother but I haven’t regretted a single minute of it.”
He’s looking at me but I can see the fear in his eyes, that I won’t want anything to do with him now that I know the truth.
“Cole no matter what, when I leave here I will leave free. No matter what happens I will never marry a Harkwright or be with one voluntarily. When I leave, I’ll leave the Harkwrights in my rear-view mirror and I won’t look back, not once,” he turns away from me and because of my stupid ankle, I can’t stop him. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re a Stevenson, hey.”
He spins around and I can’t help the smile that is on my face or the laugh that turns to a gasp as he descends upon me and claims my mouth with his own. He steps between my legs but he doesn’t try to get too close, he’s a perfect gentleman. Even though his mouth is devouring me and I wish it never had to end but I can’t stay in here forever.
“Cole, wait for me and I’ll be yours. I trust you, please don’t hurt me,” I hate that it sounds as though I’m begging but I can’t help it.
“I promise you Luna, I won’t break your trust. I will not hurt you,” he kisses me once more before breaking away, then he helps me to use the crutches, and sends me on my way.
“One last thing, why do you work here?” I ask, before he opens the door and he smiles as he gently shak
es his head.
“That’s a story for another time, I’m here every two months. try to stay safe until I get back,” one last chaste kiss before I’m hobbling away and it feels as though I’m leaving my heart behind.
Daria laid down the law and I’m stuck in my room ‘to rest’ until the masquerade. It’s ridiculous but she doesn’t want me to miss yet another party I swear, being under house arrest is driving me insane this time. I’m missing out on valuable cooking time and I have a presentation to do with Maddox and we still have a few minor details to iron out. It’s ridiculous. It’s only Friday so I still have a whole day to get through, but at least Daria is going to come here to get ready for tomorrow night, so I can’t complain too much. A little sure, but not a lot.
She’s apparently coming round later to have a pamper night, and I haven’t got the heart to tell her no. Hey, who knows it may be fun. I hobble over to my love seat and put my ankle up on a pillow before shoving an ice pack over it. When a knock sounds at my door, I know there’s no way I can make it over there, crutches are evil, just saying. So, I can either ignore the door or tell whoever it is to come in. Daria would have just walked in by now.
“Come in.”
My eyes open wider as someone pushes the door open and it reveals an awkward looking Maddox.
“Hi, I heard about your ankle and I thought you’d be worried about the assignment so I thought we could finish it off together and then I can present it for the both of us in an hour. I’ll make sure the tutor knows it was a joint effort,” he’s rubbing the back of his neck and it just adds to his cute, boy next door charm.
“You are an angel Maddox, I would love that thank you. I am beyond bored,” I say with a light chuckle and he doesn’t waste anymore time on getting everything set up and we get stuck in.
Forty minutes later and we have a completed presentation and a fairly decent business plan for running a bakery which is crazy, I may even use some of it for my own if I ever get to that part.
“I couldn’t have done this without you, thank you Luna.”
“Hey of course, team effort all the way. I will gladly work with you any day,” I say and his returning smile is blinding.
“I’ll leave you to it, but I can stop by later to let you know how it went… if you want?” I wish he had more confidence, because this guy could be amazing, but then again who am I to talk.
“I would love that,” I reply sweetly, tucking my hair behind my ears and completely ignoring the fact I just did it for Maddox.
Even though he has to be my favorite Harkwright because he’s different from all of them and I love it. He makes everything bearable and makes them all appear more human and less untouchable. If he and Cole exist then clearly, I have to stop judging them by their name and more by their actions themselves.
He leaves me to it and I sit watching Netflix for the next couple of hours, reruns of shows I used to watch with Poppy before she was hospitalized. The next time my door goes I don’t even think about shouting out, “come in.”
I have to rub my eyes a few times when Liam walks in and I can’t understand what he’s doing here. We already said our goodbyes so it would be easier, so why is he ruining the plan?
“Hey, can you stop glaring at me already? I heard about what happened and I wanted to make sure you were okay. I also wanted to make sure the story of you landing awkwardly was true, because I’m having a hard time believing it,” he says, marching over and hovering over me.
“Ask Daria, she was there.”
“She was in front with her back to you when it happened, not a reliable source now, is she?” He looks annoyed but it’s not my job to make him happy.
“I landed awkwardly and I am clumsy, just because I tripped over someone’s foot does not automatically make them responsible. So, don’t even bother trying to ask me who it was, because it doesn’t matter. There wasn’t a knife involved so I’m fine with it,” okay, I may be getting more annoyed than I thought I would. This shouldn’t bother me, so why does it?
Probably because more and more people seem to have me in their sights and I don’t know how much longer I can go without garnering a more severe injury. Maybe I should spend some more time in the gym, I already know how to punch and make it count but it wouldn’t hurt to build up my strength. I’m just not sure the gym is the right fit for me. Okay, I need to focus before Liam freaks out too much.
“I’m okay and I’ll still be okay when you leave. I’m a big girl and I can look after myself,” I say, running my hand across his face and I don’t miss the way he leans into my touch.
“What about when the Prince returns, are you ready for that? He seems to have a weird obsession with you,” he points out and I wish people would stop talking about fucking Emmet.
“I can handle him okay, more than likely he’ll come back, see the other girls and forget all about me,” I’m not lying but I don’t believe it. Shit, does that mean I am lying? I shake my head to get myself back on track.
“What if he doesn’t, what if he returns and wants you more than ever?” His tone is so serious, and there’s a strange lilt to it that I can’t quite put my finger on. It reminds me of something or someone, I’m not sure.
“I’m not scared of Emmet, he’s just a person and I told you before I’m not going to judge him on rumors or his name alone. I can’t say that I’m going to like him or anything, but I recently decided that not every Harkwright deserves my animosity. He deserves the same treatment and nothing you can say will change my mind.”
“I’ve heard rumors of what he’s done to the girls he chooses for a week or two, aren’t you even curious?” He seems so bewildered.
“Nope not even a little bit, I’ll make my own mind up about the big bad Prince,” I laugh before he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his arms.
I won’t kiss him, but I can’t resist a quick hold. Why did he have to come and see me? I’m going to end up feeling all confused again. I always do when I’m around him, liking and wanting him but at the same time something screams at me not to get too close and to never give in. Sometimes I really hate my inner voice.
“Luna, can I kiss you. Just one last kiss,” his eyes are scorching me and I’m going to say no, I should… no I have to say no.
“Okay,” for fuck’s sake I think my alter ego will go on strike if I don’t start listening to her soon.
His mouth is on mine in an instant, it’s slow, just a brush of lips until he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and gently bites down. I can feel my toes curl as he deepens it further, tilting his head and holding the back of mine. His tongue exploring and twisting around mine, before he pulls away and just stares into my eyes.
“You’re the kind of girl who could have anyone she wants, a guy could really fall for you.”
“A girl could really fall for you too,” I breathe my eyes tracing every inch of his face, mapping it in my mind.
Given enough time, I really could have fallen for Liam, in a different place, time and life. I think I would have been happy with him. It just isn’t meant to be, a part of me wants to be honest with him and tell him about Cole but all it will do is cause pain and I don’t want that. The moment he leaves, I know I’ll never see him again and although I’m resigned to it, I’m still hurting just a little bit.
He leaves not long after and Maddox stops by to let me know that our assignment went brilliantly.
“Thanks for stopping by to let me know, I hate that I couldn’t be there to present it with you,” I grumble and he smiles gently at me from the doorway, refusing to come in even though I invited him to.
“It’s okay, you can’t help being hurt and I’d rather you rest than cause yourself more pain. Anyway, I just thought I’d stop in and let you know that it went well and drop off today’s lesson plan so you don’t feel as though you’re missing out,” he places the papers on my sideboard before looking down at the ground.
“You don’t have to rush off, you know, you’re
more than welcome to stay for a while.”
“Thank you, but I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he gives me a quick wave before walking out the door and I don’t miss the way his eyes stray to something just out of my sight. I watch as he quickly nods his head before closing the door and leaving me alone.
The day of the masquerade has arrived and Daria has been here for the last ten minutes pretty much fawning over my dress the entire time. I’m not even exaggerating, I think she’d wear it if she could.
“So Tucker took you dress shopping, what was it like with the big ogre?” She asks with a laugh and I’m not sure how to answer the question.
“It was okay, there were three dresses to pick from and this was my favorite, I almost went for a pale blue ball gown but this just stole the spotlight the minute I got it on. As for Tucker, he’s really not that bad, I’m glad it was him and not Shane. He probably would have murdered me and got the driver to dump my body somewhere,” my words make me shiver and the scary thing, Daria doesn’t even argue with me or say that I’m over reacting.
“You didn’t even get to pick your own dress, that sucks.”
“Not really, I hate shopping and until I came here most of my clothes came from thrift stores or hand-me-downs from my sister. Not that her style really suited me, but it’s the thought that counts,” I say, feeling bad for even slightly knocking her style.
“Have you ever met your birth mom?” She asks and I like that she didn’t say real mom, because it isn’t always blood that makes a family and my mom is my real one.
“I imagine I did once upon a time but she died when I was two so I won’t get to now and my dad is an unknown entity. There’s never been a name on the birth certificate,” I feel weird talking about this and I think I need to change the subject before we get any deeper into it all.
“I’m sorry Lu, that’s gotta suck. Anyway let’s get your hair and make up done so you’re all ready for the masquerade. Oh and before you argue, I am doing your make up I don’t care if you’re wearing a mask,” eh what’s the point in arguing with her over something like this. At least we’re not talking about the adoption anymore.