Chapter 52: Afraid of the dark?

Callahan’s lips trailed from her earlobe, to her jawline, her chin, barely grazing her skin.

And when he reached her lips, he did not kiss her. His face was inches away, his lips hovering above hers as he met her gaze.

Sienna gulped, her heart racing so fast that she heard the sound in her ears.

There was something incomprehensible swirling in the pair of dark eyes. The closer he came, the more she could see the hints of blue in them.

"Say that you don’t feel it,’’ his words caressed her lips like a forbidden whisper, "You have a chance to prove it right now."

Sienna gulped involuntarily, her fingers curling around the comforter, "I don’t know what you are talking about."

Sienna said it with as much conviction as she could manage, but the words sounded strangely fragile in the darkness.

Callahan held her gaze for another moment before he lowered his gaze, his face only inches from hers.

The moonlight slipping through the curtains caught the sharp line of his cheekbone, leaving the rest of his expression shadowed and unreadable.

Then, without another word, he began to pull away.

Something inside her panicked at the sudden distance. Before she could think better of it, Sienna leaned across the pillow between them and kissed him.

It was barely more than a brush of her lips against his. And the instant she realized what she’d done, she started to retreat.

But suddenly, a strong hand caught her gently at the waist, and yanked her forward.

Callahan’s lips curled slightly in almost a devious smile before he captured her lips again.

Sienna’s breath caught as his lips settled over hers, slow at first, as though he were testing whether she would pull away again. She didn’t. Her fingers instinctively caught in the front of his shirt, and that tiny surrender seemed to undo whatever restraint he had left.

He shifted closer, the pillow barrier crumpling beneath them as he drew her toward him, "Sienna..." The way he said her name against her lips made her pulse jump.

Callahan’s arm slipped around her waist, pulling her onto his lap in one smooth movement.

Sienna gave a startled breath, her hands finding his shoulders to steady herself, but the man did not wait for her to catch her breath before he captured her lips again.

He held her securely against him as his lips moved from hers to her cheek and back again.

Sienna tilted her head instinctively, chasing the warmth of his mouth when he pulled away, and the small movement seemed to undo the last of his composure.

In the next moment, Sienna was pinned to the bed under him. She could feel his warmth and fragrance enveloping her. But away from the moonlight, she could no longer see his face.

Suddenly, a hint of cold crept under her skin and her body froze. Her fingers instinctively dug in Callahan’s shoulder.

The second it happened, Callahan sensed the change in her.

"Butterfly?" Callahan’s voice seemed to disappear in the darkness.

There was no response from her.

The moment Callahan turned the bedside lights on and turned to look at Sienna, he felt his heart clench painfully.

Sienna’s face was covered in tears as she laid on the bed staring at the ceiling, her eyes were dazed as her lips slowly moved but no matter how much time passed, not a single word came out of her mouth.

Callahan pulled her up from the bed and held her gently in his arms, calling out to her in a voice that was barely audible.

Nobody knew how much time had passed before Sienna’s incoherent mumbles broke the silence in the room, "I am sorry... I am sorry..."

"Shhh..." Callahan held her firmly this time, "It’s fine. I am here."

...

The next morning, Sienna woke up with a splitting headache. She clutched her hair but it only increased the pain.

Just as she moved to get out of the bed, she felt a weight on her body. A strong arm was wrapped around her waist. It took her a second to realize that she could feel a strong chest pressing against her back.

"Awake?" Callahan’s hoarse voice entered her ears.

For a moment, Sienna stilled on the bed, "Last night, it was... I am just afraid of the dark."

When Callahan did not respond, she thought he had let it out of his mind already.

But just as she moved to sit, the man locked his arm tighter around her waist, pulling her back into his chest, "Since when?" he questioned.

Sienna hesitated briefly, "It’s been a long time. Maybe after mother..." she trailed off, letting the silence fill the gaps.

"Did I scare you last night? I didn’t mean to. But I... I was a little drunk and then...."

Callahan released her. As the arm around waist disappeared, so did all the warmth that had enveloped her. For a second, she felt a chill under her skin.

But in the next moment, she was hoisted up the bed effortlessly and pulled in a strong embrace.

Within a second, her senses were overpowered by his scent.

"You will never scare me, butterfly," Callahan’s voice was low, barely audible. It was unclear whether he was talking to her or himself, "You can show me your worst demons and I will kiss you for them."

...

Qing Grand.

"Ma’am, is there something that’s upsetting you?" Kira’s secretary, Julie, suddenly asked while organizing the files on the office desk.

"Upsetting me? No, I am quite happy," Kira smiled, "Lately, dad has been seeing my sis in a new light after the charity gala. It looks like past conflicts can be resolved."

"It’s not my place to say this but that was your place to shine and recover your reputation after the media incident. How could Miss Sienna..."

"She is my sister," Kira frowned at Julie, "She is a Qing. No matter who wins, the honor goes to the Qing family. And that’s how my dad thinks too."

"But..."

"Did you invite that person over?" Kira asked suddenly.

Julie nodded.

At this moment, Kira’s phone started ringing on the office desk. Julie leaned over to check the phone and hurriedly said, "Ma’am, it’s a call from Mr. Hawke."