Ellie was curled up in the bed, her back to him as he entered. * * * He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
He came over, looking quite unhappy before slipping into the bed and hugging her gently. *** "You're here."
She woke slowly, feeling his arms around her waist and his chest pressed against her back. Her hands brushed his for a moment and she felt the familiar curve of his fingers. After a moment, she spoke. "You know it meant something to me. You have to know that." * * * "Like the soup, I am here, yes."
He buried his face in the curve of her neck. "I know, Bean. I didn't mean what I said." *** She seemed delighted at the conversation, folding her hands happily.
He could smell her shampoo; orange blossom and vanilla. Her hand came up to cup the side of his jaw, her head turning as she rested her forehead against his hair. "What did you mean, then?" she asked, her voice soft. "You said a lot of things in such a short time..." * * * He squinted before standing, going over to the woodpile and picking up a few logs for the fire. "Would you like some more?" he asked, dropping them into the flames.
He was quiet. "I don't want it to end." *** She folded her legs. "No, thank you. It was lovely, though."
She exhaled, her fingers pacing through his. “I don’t either, Xav, but... I don’t have any options here.” *** “It couldn’t have been that lovely if you won’t have seconds.”
She frowned, turning to look at him. “Like what?” she asked almost desperately, her brows furrowed. “How could I get out of this? I mean, Xav... this is all still new, you know? You don’t even love me right now. We could still not get too hurt by this.” *** “You’ve broken my actual heart this time, Starlight.”
She frowned, cupping his jaw in her hands. “I was so happy with you,” she said sorrowfully. “I just wanted to be happy for a little while.” *** “My mama told me that if people aren’t scraping the bottom of the bowl, you’ve failed.”
He closed his eyes. "I want that for us." *** "You've certainly not failed, Burke," she said, looking out of the window at the chilly, winter night. "I should probably head home, soon."
Her frown deeper and she rested her head in the curve of his neck. “There can be no ‘us’, Xav...” *** “I’ll walk you,” he said, standing up. “Or you can stay here for the night.”
"I want that, Ellie.. I want an Us." *** She looked up at him. "You don't have to do that. I knew what I was getting myself into."
She evidently weakened, pulling back to look at him. “I do too, but...” *** “It’s too cold out there, Ms. Scarlet. You’ll freeze to death.”
He took her hand. "I care for you.. I don't want to lose you." *** She seemed hesitant. "Okay.. I'll stay if it makes you feel any better."
She sighed a little, watching him. "Xav... this is becoming way harder than it has to be. I mean, my father made it very clear that unless I can find a suitor in the equal standing, then I have to marry who he has assigned me to." * * * He nodded, gesturing to the cot as he began clearing the dishes. "You can take the bed."
He pursed his lips. "What would equal standing be?" *** She frowned. "That's where I draw the line. I'll be fine on the couch."
She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes. “A prince, I think. It needs to be equal to a prince.” *** “What couch?” he replied, going over and sitting in his chair. “I fall asleep here most nights anyway.”
