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"The paintings," he acknowledges "Not the woh "Yes, you can"

"I wonder if I estion?"

"Um, sure"

"Next ti other woht," I say "I’ll do that" I shake my head in exasperation at myself "I really am sorry I’ve been out of sorts"

"As have I," he says

I think of the storal troubles that see "Will you tell me why?" I ask softly

He looks atto answer "I don’t hat is between us to end"

"Oh" His response is not what I expected, but I cannot deny the relief that al from the heat in his voice "I don’t, either"

He searches my face "Don’t you?" he finally whispers, and I see in his eyes the saht

"Da to articulate to hiht, as if nothing is the way it’s supposed to be This house, even I’ up in front of that balcony and posing for Blaine, and knowing that you’re watching and that when Blaine leaves it will just be you and me in this house, on that bed" I flash a watery sive it toa door"

"The bed was only a gift," he says "So for you to have, to lie on, to think about us But tonight I thought you wanted to close that door What was it you said? No rules, no gaht that I’ve hurt you or upset you"

"You haven’t," I say "Not really"

"Haven’t I? I wonder …" His brow furrows, and his eyes searchfor

"Daht," he says, and his words are lass

I say nothing, just stand there, unsure of where this is heading

"I couldn’t help it," he continues "When you’re in a room, I have no choice but to watch you You draw ly under your spell" His eyes light with a smile, but even that doesn’t hide the worry I see there "I saw you with Jahter as you chatted with those ridiculous television stars I saw the hurt on your face when you escaped the party with Evelyn And each sh, and each flash of pain in your eyes were like wounds totheether and s, but still I do not speak