Shadows (5 page)

"Your eyes, Theron, your eyes." I have no idea
what possessed me to let that drool come out of my mouth, but it
happened. He chuckles and I feel myself get angry. Not wanting to
be laughed at, I shoot him a dirty look.

"Eve, don't get angry. You're not the first
person to mention my eyes. It happens a lot. It's called
heterochromia. I was born with my eyes two different colors. It
happens to people more than you think. Look, I just want to help
you. What can I do?" He tries to push the one stubborn lock of hair
back, but it doesn't listen. I don't want it to. I have no idea
why, but I reach up and twirl it around my fingers.

Feeling Theron freeze, I pull my hand back and
look back into his gorgeous eyes.

"I don't like to be laughed at. I've been
laughed at a lot, and I don't like the feeling. I wasn't trying to
insult you. I like them. Your eyes, I mean, I like them a lot." My
face blushes with my omission. I wish I had a filter I could
install in my brain right now because it is obviously not working.
Hearing Theron sigh, I'm sure I'm coming across wrong. I know he
wants me gone. Well, at least I know the other person on the phone
wants me gone. I don't want to go back to the apartment. I could go
to my parents. They would come get me.

"Beautiful, where did you go? You keep leaving
me here." He's leaning back on his legs and his feet are tucked
under him. It must be exhausting trying to deal with someone who's
been hurt so badly, let alone someone you don’t know.

"I'm here with you. Is that the problem? I can
go. I'll call my parents and arrange a ride. It's fine. I'm sorry
you have gone to so much trouble for me." Pushing the blanket off
me, I plant my feet firmly on the floor. Surely, I can stand. I
just need the will to do it.

"No, sit. You aren’t going anywhere. At least
not until I know for sure you're okay. I want to make sure wherever
you go, someone is there. You shouldn’t be alone." He grabs my
hands, but I won't look at him. I feel his fingers lift my chin.
His hands are soft and warm just like his eyes. "Eve, look at me. I
want to help you. I just need to know just the basics and I’ll let
you go back to sleep. Your last name, where your parents live so I
can get you to them, and what kind of food you like to eat. We will
just start with those."

"Davidson is my last name. My parents live in
Porter by the lake. I need coffee with cream and two sugars,
please." He doesn't let go of my chin. I don’t want him to. His
touch is so comforting. Licking my lips, I feel his thumb rub
across my bottom one. I shiver as my whole body reacts to him. His
lips slightly part and I so badly want to lick them. I want to
taste him. Softly shaking my head, I pull back from him. My
thoughts are all over the place right now.

Theron smiles at me, and I'm sure it is mostly
from pity. He stands and saunters towards the kitchen. I turn my
head to follow him. His body is so incredibly sexy. His pants are
hanging so perfectly off of him. I can't help but ogle his form as
I watch him move about the kitchen opening cabinets and moving
things around.

"Oh, and Eve, the next time you lick your lips
like that at me, I won't hold back. No matter where we are or what
is happening, I will kiss you. I will consume every bit of your
sexy mouth, and mark those lips as mine. We clear?"

What? I'm so glad he still has his back to me.
My mouth is hanging open and I'm completely caught off guard. Mark
me? Who says that and why was it so incredibly hot? I clear my
throat. "Um, we're clear." I'm not sure what to do or say. I have
the sudden urge to move around since a girl can only squeeze her
thighs together so tight.

"Well, I'm glad we got that cleared up and out
of the way. Here’s your coffee. Oh, and thank you for the
compliment on my eyes. I'm going to take a shower. I'll be back in
a bit to check on you."

Finishing my coffee, I start to burrow back
under the blankets when I hear a chirping sound coming from my
purse. I reach over and grab it off the ottoman. Pulling out my
phone, I unlock it. Seventeen missed text messages, seven missed
phone calls, and only three voicemails. I take a deep breath and
play the first voicemail.

It's from Kayla. "Hey, Eve. I'm with Paul. I
stopped by our place and grabbed some more clothes. I had a few
over at his place, but I knew I would need more. You weren't there.
I called your mom and you weren't there either. Where are you? You
have me worried. Call me" I hit delete. I'll text her back, when
I'm done checking my messages.

I play the next message. "Eve, its Mom. I'm
worried about you sweetie. Dad broke the news to me. He said your
boyfriend Theron called us. I know dad would have rather have heard
it from you, but I understand you were probably upset. I didn't
even know you had a boyfriend, honey. I don’t know. I guess I just
always pictured you settling down with Matt. Oh, honey, I'm sorry.
I'm not even thinking. Please, just call us back. We love you." I
press delete. My boyfriend? Where does she get that he's my
boyfriend? And Matt? She pictured me with Matt. I start crying
again. I can't do this. I feel like I can't breathe. How do people
live with this kind of gutting pain? Taking a deep breath, I play
the next message.

Shit, it's from my brother. "So, this sucks.
I'm so sorry, Eve. Listen, I've been up most of the night. I
cleared my schedule and I bought a morning flight at eleven my
time. I should be there tomorrow as long as everything goes as
planned. Shit, I guess I mean tonight. It's already two in the
morning here. I'm going to be staying at mom’s house. Who’s this
guy Eve? I know he's not your boyfriend, you would have told me. We
may not see each other, but we talk enough. I hope you know what
you are doing. I don’t feel safe with this guy you hardly know
taking care of you and making decisions for you. I spoke to mom and
she's convinced he's your boyfriend. I don’t know, kid. I just
don't know. Text me later. I'll probably be midflight by the time
you get this. Get some rest and I'll see you as soon as I can. Love
you, butthead."

I delete his message. How am I supposed to
explain Theron? I scroll through my other text messages. Most of
them are from mutual friends of Matt's and mine. I respond to
Anne's text and let her know I'll inform her with any new info I
get. Thankfully Anne let Sharon know I'll be out the office today
and next week. I text Kayla and let her know I'm okay, I had a
break down after she left the hospital, and Theron is going to get
me to my mom's sometime later. I leave out the details of where I
am. I know she's going to figure it out, but I try to avoid it.
Texting my mom and Robert, I let them know I'm okay and I'll be
there later. When later, I'm not exactly sure. Curling back up into
the couch, I pull the blanket over me. I wish I could mentally turn
on the fireplace. It was so comforting earlier. Falling asleep as I
imagine flames dancing in the fireplace, I hope this fog I am in
lifts.

Feeling the couch dip, I sit up. Theron is
sitting at the end of the couch. He's clean and dressed, casually
wearing a gray sweater and some blue jeans. I attempt a smile and
he returns a lopsided one. I'm sure I look like a hot mess. Running
my hand over my bun, I notice most of my hair has fallen out of it.
Great, just great. I need to freshen up at least.

"So the bathroom is down the hall I take
it?"

"There is a half bath in the hallway, but each
bedroom has its own bath. First door on your left is the spare
bedroom. You'll find towels and soap already in there for you. I'm
sure you didn't want to smell like a guy, so I borrowed some of my
gram's soaps. Don't worry, she doesn't mind. I also laid out one of
my t-shirts on the bed in case you want to change your clothes. I
thought my pants might be too long for you." Theron smiles at me. I
nod my thanks as I stand. It takes me a second to gain my balance,
but I'm okay.

The bedroom is light grey with white trim.
There's a queen size bed in the middle with a white duvet on it.
It's adorned with way too many pillows. There's a small table
beside it and a dresser across from it. Grabbing his t-shirt off
the bed, I walk in the bathroom. It has a double vanity with light
colored granite countertops. The shower is huge. It could
definitely hold at least three people with room to move around. I
lock the door behind me and strip down. I fold my clothes as neatly
as possible laying them on the sink. It takes me a minute to figure
out how to work this shower. I'm not sure I got it right, but there
is a steady stream of water coming out of the ceiling. Stepping in,
I close the glass door and let the hot water pour over me. I feel
like I'm standing under a waterfall. I love this shower.

Wrapping my hair and body up in towels, I
notice the comb and toothbrush on the sink. Has he thought of
everything? I quickly get dressed and start combing my long hair.
Days like this when my hair is full of knots, I always contemplate
cutting it, but I never do. I take a look at myself in the mirror.
My eyes are red and puffy, making the paleness of my face stand out
even more. I look exhausted.

There’s an older woman sitting at the island
in the kitchen. She has shoulder length silver hair, beautifully
tanned skin and looks incredibly fit for her age. She looks up at
me as I walk in, giving me the world's kindest smile. I wouldn’t be
surprised if she smelled like cookies.

"It's true. You are so very beautiful. Would
you like a coffee my dear?"

"Yes, please, it’s my favorite addiction."
Pulling out a barstool, I make myself comfortable. I hear the front
door close and I know it's Theron without looking. I can feel that
buzzing sensation under my skin again. Standing behind me, he leans
over my shoulder and gently places a kiss on my right
cheek.

"I see you have met my gram. Evelyn Davidson,
please meet Isa Bianchi. This is her guest house we are staying in.
She's one of my favorite people."

"My dear sweet, Theron. One of your favorites?
Well, that’s just shit. I am your favorite."

I choke on my coffee as I take a drink. I
can’t believe she just said that.

"Now, see what you made me do. I made your
very beautiful girlfriend choke on her coffee. That's coffee abuse,
Theron."

"Please, call me Eve and I couldn't agree
more." Even though I feel like I'm dying inside, I can't help but
smile at her. Patting my hand, she turns to face Theron who is now
making himself a cup of coffee.

"You bring me home a beautiful girl and she
loves coffee? Oh, Theron I hope you plan on keeping her, because
I'm not sure I can let her go. You never bring girls you date to
meet me." Turning, she heads for the front door. "Well, I must be
off. The new gardener is coming by and I need to make sure I have
the right sunglasses on."

"Gram, how old is this new
gardener?"

"Oh, I don't know. I suppose it was on his
application. He's old enough to vote and old enough to drink, which
makes him old enough to cut the grass in cut off shorts." Looking
at me she raises her eyebrows suggestively. I giggle. I think I
love her.

"So, why the sunglasses?" I look at Theron. He
rolls his eyes as he takes a drink of his coffee. Now, I have to
know.

"Well, honey, how else am I supposed to hide
where I'm looking? I might be seventy one, but I feel thirty. Eye
candy is eye candy. It's made to be seen and so I shall see it
through my very dark sunglasses. I don’t want him to feel like a
piece of meat. I just want to work him like one." Laughing she
walks out the door. My mouth is hanging open once again. Yep, I
adore that woman.

Theron softly laughs shaking his head, "You
had to ask. I'm sorry. She doesn’t have a sense of boundaries and
will tell you every thought that enters her head, no matter how
inappropriate."

"Oh, I don't mind. She seems wonderful." I
relax on the barstool taking another sip of my coffee. She
definitely has a way of looking at things. "So Bianchi? Your dad's
side or your mom's?"

"My dad's. My mom passed away when I was
fourteen from cancer. Her last name was Anderson before she married
my dad."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Insert foot into mouth.
Feeling like an ass, I look straight into my coffee. I can't meet
his eyes. "So you're Italian?"

"Yes, half. My mother was American. I'm not
exactly sure what, but I think European decent would best describe
it."

"Theron Bianchi…how long have you lived here?
Your gram looks like she's quite comfortable here."

"Actually it's Theron Rowe. When my
grandfather died, my gram went back to her maiden name. She claims
she wanted to find her roots. I think it's because she wanted to
put distance between her and my father. This house was her summer
home, but now it's her main residence."

My eyebrows shoot up. "As in Rowe
Incorporated?" I know that corporation. They buy smaller
businesses, take what they want, and liquidate the rest after only
a few years of ownership. Theron doesn’t respond to me. He looks
hurt by my question and turns to walk away.

"Theron, wait. Please, don't go…I really don't
want to be alone." It's a plea. He knows it and I know it, however,
it's a truthful plea. The idea of being alone makes the walls of
room close in on me. I set my coffee down and try to scoot off the
barstool. Of course, my gracefulness betrays me, and I fall flat on
my ass. I'm so embarrassed, I must be at least ten shades of red.
Tears sting my eyes, but I don't cry. Instead, I start hysterically
laughing. I have no idea why, but it feels good. I must be losing
my mind. Opening my eyes, I find Theron standing over me with the
most confused look I have ever seen on a person.