"Greyson Rose … you, my dear, are right on time," his low voice hummed out, and I felt the nervous feeling in my stomach awaken. I didn't realize how long it had been since I heard the deep melodic rumble of his voice until I felt my heart clench. This was a horrible idea, and judging from the look on Stefan's face, this was exactly what he wanted.
Well, it didn't matter anymore, I was here and now I needed to give this fight everything I had. "How dare you!"
His smirk softened, but only slightly. "You look incredible, might I say. Listen, can I grab you anything to drink? My staff is supposed to offer it to visitors, but frankly-" he paused as his smile grew wickedly. "You have already managed to terrify them."
My fingers curled around the waist of my shirt. I told myself it was a move I did out of fury, but honestly it was to keep myself in control. Stefan had always been a good looking guy, but now he was filled out in all the right places, and it was especially noticeable in his suit sleeves. And apparently my fingers had a mind of their own, yearning to touch what was severely off limits.
"Don't start with me, Stefan! You have absolutely no right to pay my bills or check up on me!"
Stefan cocked his head to the side and looked towards the ceiling in question. For a minute he said nothing, just moved his legs on his desk to rock his chair back and forth.
"As I recall, Greyson, you walked into traffic, almost got hit, and fell down hard because of me."
My head was shaking so hard back and forth I was getting dizzy.
"You arrogant son of a bitch! None of that happened because of you," I said with air quotes so he didn't think I was agreeing with him. "I was walking, became blinded by the sun and fell backwards! That is it! You have absolutely no right to do anything for me!"
Stefan let out a low chuckle and removed his feet from the desk. Anxiety settled in as he stood, and suddenly I was terrified that he would come over to me. He smoothed the front of his shirt, looked at a piece of paper on his desk and spoke up.
"If you want to stand by that excuse you go right ahead, but that doesn't mean I don't know the truth, Greyson Rose." He looked up from his shirt and held my gaze captive. As much as I knew I should, I just couldn't turn away from him. "You were as affected by me as I was by you."
My cheeks reddened and my brows furrowed in hopeful confusion. "You were affected by me?" My timid voice completely gave my rapidly beating heart away.
This man was not supposed to say these things to me and screw around with my emotions even more.
Stefan's head bobbed with a nod as he slowly began walking towards me. His movements reminded me of a jungle cat seeking its prey. He had me in his sights, and I knew I had to run, but my legs were locked in place.
"Of course I was, Greyson Rose. My driver was taking me and the head of a company I have been trying to get on board with my security system from our business lunch. This man is stubborn and set in his ways, and I was changing his mind. We stopped at that red light and I looked out the window, feeling rather smug I might add, when I saw you." His movements stopped directly in front of me.
I had spent the last six years without a single word of contact from Stefan Harrison, and now we were standing inches apart. The smell of cologne and mint surrounded me, but it was that very distinct smell that belonged to just him; that was what was making me weaken under his gaze. It was this scent that covered his pillow and clothes that I used to love so much. When he was gone, I hugged his pillow close and breathed him in. It was more than just a smell-it was my comfort and my safety.
Stefan had been my protector, and for all these years I tried convincing myself that what I remembered was an inaccurate memory. That our love was never as strong as I imagined, but right now I knew it was only a way to protect my heart because Stefan was my soul.
I watched his hand rise from his side; slowly, as if testing the waters, he lifted the tips of his fingers to my forehead. Our eyes locked while he carefully took hold of the piece of my hair that lay across my face. My eyes struggled to stay open by the sheer sensation of his touch. Part of me wanted to commit this moment to my memories. The other part longed to make it go away.
He brushed the hair behind my ear, caressing my skin as he went, sending chills straight to my core.
"There you were walking, and at first I could hardly believe what I was seeing. I stared while you slowly passed me by, and I had to get a closer look. I ignored everything the man was saying and got out of the car. That's when you saw me. It took everything in me not to go to you. I saw you fall and I lurched to go after you, but the man pulled me back into the car. I knew I had to do something. I would never be able to move forward if I constantly wondered what came of that fall."