Tarnished Love by Bianca Borell
CHLOE
I wake up before him and watch him as he sleeps. I trace the straight line of his nose, those shaped eyebrows, his curled eyelashes. He does things to me no one ever has, and against my better judgement I gave in to him. His lashes flutter open, and my heart speeds up, the passion rippling between us, and I gulp. He pushes me onto my back and slides between my thighs, kissing me. I come with his name on my lips.
His fine ass peeks at me as he steps inside the open shower. He eyes me from over his shoulder and jerks his chin, inviting me in. I would have gone to him anyway, but he deprived me of any rational thought for a few moments.
This has a trace of domesticity even though I have no idea if it feels like this, serenity mixed with contentment. But as I blow dry my hair, and he styles his, it’s another image that has me opening to him.
“How long will it be this time?”
“One week.”
His eyebrows knit together, and he says, “It’s my sister’s birthday.”
“I thought she doesn’t want anyone except family for her birthday.” Damien never brought me on that date.
“Yes, but you’re important to me.” Him and his words. Don’t give in heart, wait a little longer, he is still in the trial period. Yes, right, a small voice answers.
“I can’t postpone it.”
“It matters more to me that you would have come. Your job is important, there will be other events.”
“Filip, your family and even the rest of the world believes Damien and I are together or were, but you know the truth, right?” I turn to him and lock my hands around his neck.
“And that would be?”
“Filip.”
“Do you even know the complete truth?”
“Now you’re just an idiot,” I huff and dart into the bedroom, pulling my jeans up. He leans on the doorframe.
“What did or better yet did not happen between Damien and me is in the past.”
“What if I fuck up and you jump right back into his arms?” Now he just wants to infuriate me.
“We never even kissed, Filip.” Surprise flickers in the gold and green of his eyes. I turn on my heel, but he wraps his hands around me, caging me in.
“I am sorry,” he says and dips and kisses my shoulder. At least he can apologize. That must count for something.
“Let’s go. I don’t want to miss my flight.”
We spend the drive with him trying to make idle conversation.
“What is your favorite band?”
“Mumford and Sons.”
“Mine too,” he grins.
“Did you see them live?”
“Not yet.”
“I’ll take you.”
I tilt my head to hide my smile. I like that he tries, but it also melts my anger away. Is this normal?
“Your favorite color?”
“Blue.”
“Blue?”
“Yes, blue. Surprised?”
“I expected some color I never heard of but sounds like what the ultra-rich would answer.”
He scoffs, and it amuses me. It riles him up, strangely it doesn’t intimidate me as much as in the past. When we’re together, I even forget. It never lasts, but it’s a good sign.
“Will I ever meet this roommate of yours? Does she even exist?”
I roll my eyes at him and at the next red light I put my phone in his face to show him the picture we took on Saint Patrick’s Day.
“Ogled her enough?” Amusement transforms his face while I feel my skin heat.
“Jealous?”
“Ugh,” I groan and storm to get my luggage. I am not, not at all.
“Chloe?”
“Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”
“You so are.” I have no idea how to react because it’s true, until now I haven’t experienced this dreadful, sneaky feeling. He cups my face and kisses me, whispering through lips touching, “Even though it is flattering, you have no reason to be. She’s pretty, you’re beautiful.” I open my eyes to catch his. “Chloe, I don’t even see other women. I peeked at her for one second, the rest I looked at you. I don’t even think I will recognize her if I see her again.” I smile, and he smiles right back at me, and my heart soaks him in. I bash my head against his chest, and now he chuckles.
“I like it.”
“So you do it on purpose.” He peppers my lips with kisses, ending my rant.
“Shut up. What kind of idiotic man would I be to make my girlfriend feel insecure? Even I know that.”
“Good.”
I lean my head on his arm. I never had this.
“My mom hates me. She blames me for ruining her career.”
“Then she doesn’t deserve you.”
“I have no idea why I just told you that.”
“Because it hurts you, and we love them regardless and that’s the problem, isn’t it? We want their approval.” He kisses my forehead, and the more I glimpse behind Filip’s facade, the more I love what I see. For two people who hide behind the veil of appearance, we peel the other bare.
“What about your dad?”
“He summons me whenever he remembers he has a daughter, never alone though.”
“I am sorry.”
“I am sorry I still try with both of them.”
“I don’t think I want to meet them.”
“My mom would love you. You’re rich.”
“Have you any idea how relieved I am you don’t care.”
“Oh, I care just . . .”
“I know, but hey, we’re the best cliché.”
“Yes, that we are.” We grin.
At airport security, I kiss him one more time. I’ll miss him. I wave goodbye to him, and my cell rings.
“Hi, Damien.”
“Call if there is something you need.” He has always called when I’m leaving for a shoot to let me know he’s there if I need him.
“I have to tell you something when I come back.”
“I don’t like surprises. Tell me now.” His voice rings with impatience.
“No, when I come back. And change your mind, please, Damien.”
“I would marry you instead.”
“I have an ounce of morality and when I will marry it will be out of love.”
“Love is overrated.”
“So stubborn. Bye. I have to catch my flight. Love you.”
“Take care.”
We hang up, and when I take my seat, I open a message and smile. Filip sent me a photo of him pouting with the caption “already missing you.” I press my phone to my heart, a smile parting my lips. This will work out, it will.
