She slid over to make more room for him on the bench. I automatically moved over as well, and he slid over to sit close beside me, holding both of my hands again.
“Eden,” he said softly. Then he just stared into my eyes, his thumbs caressing my skin. It was as if we were the only two people in the world.
Kelly got up and went to the bar, muttering, “I’ll just give you two a minute.”
Under any other circumstances, I would have grabbed her hand and told her not to leave me with a strange man. But Eric wasn’t a stranger. He was odd. He was completely fixated on me. He made my stomach feel pink and sparkly. He was definitely the one Nana warned me about. And he just appeared out of nowhere.
“Please,” he said softly. “If there’s another man, break my heart now. Make it clean. It would be a mercy killing.”
I shook my head quickly, my hair falling slightly into my face. “No,” I whispered. “There’s nobody else.”
He raised one hand, tucking back my hair, trailing his fingertips behind my ear. Then slowly down my neck. I had to press my lips together to hold back a whimper. He was so gorgeous that my eyes didn’t know quite where to settle on his face. But those eyes were like magnets, drawing me back again and again.
“Are you leaving the country?” he said gently. “You have an internship in Italy, and you don’t want to start something just before you leave?”
I tried to smile. “I’m so sorry, Eric, I just can’t.”
He finally took his fingers from my neck, holding his thumb near his lips. “She knows that if she doesn’t give me some reason that it’s going to eat away at me forever.” Looking at his hand, he nodded. “I’m sure she knows that. I’m not sure if she knows that she’s the sweetest, most beautiful, most fascinating woman I’ve ever met.”
Giggles bubbled out of me uncontrollably.
“Maybe she’s scared,” he continued, nodding. “Maybe she knows that I’m positively head over heels for her, and it’s a bit overwhelming.” He held his thumb higher as if to listen, then nodded. “Okay, I’ll ask.”
Cocking his head, his eyes locked with mine and I felt like I was falling. “I know we slept together really fast, but that’s not normal for me either. Eden, couldn’t we just go on a few innocent dates? That way you’ll get to know me, and know that I’m a very nice guy.” His grin flashed a bit of his perfect teeth. “I have references.”
My body was pulling forward. I needed to kiss him so badly that my lips were parting. My head was beginning to tilt. I couldn’t let this happen. He was so sweet to me, and it felt like he’d be so good for me in every way. If I kissed him one more time it would all be over. There must be a way to–
“Two reasons,” I squeaked, quickly leaning back just a heartbeat before he kissed me.
His eyes tightened, but he nodded. “Okay. Tell me.”
“Crumpets,” I muttered, looking down at his shoulder. I just couldn’t meet his eyes.
“You can’t date me because of odd British breakfast food?” His chuckle was forced. It was still adorable.
“That’s just my non-cursing,” I nearly whispered.
His hand darted out to run his thumb along my cheekbone, making me shiver. “I’ve heard you curse,” he said softly. “It was the sexiest, most incredible time of my life.”
I tried to lean back further, and he brought his hand back to hold mine again. “I’ll behave. Tell me.” His tone was very slightly demanding, and I hated how arousing that was.
I closed my eyes. I couldn’t confess this while he was looking at me. “I gave a man my heart,” I breathed, feeling him lean in to hear me. “He... hurt me so badly. I can’t–”
“Oh, Eden, I’m so sorry,” he said gently. “If it’s too soon, I’ll wait.”
I could feel myself trembling, but felt I needed to spit out the other part.
“And...” My throat started to close as I felt the tears coming. It was too insane, but maybe he had a right to know. I didn’t want to hurt him, but he was right. Better to make a clean break. He gave my hands a tiny shake of encouragement.
“My Nana sometimes blurts out strange sayings. Sort of like a prophecy or a curse,” I said. “Everything she’s ever said in her whispery tone has come true. Anyone who doesn’t heed her warnings ends up hurt in some way.”
“Okay,” he said. “What does that have to do with me?”
I swallowed hard. “She warned me about you specifically.” Jumping up, I grabbed my purse and slid out the far side of the bench, looking for Kelly. “I have to go.”
Racing for the door, he caught me on the sidewalk, grabbing my wrist, but releasing me instantly. “Please,” he begged. “You have to tell me what she said.”
Looking up at him through a blur of tears, I whispered, “She said, ‘Never get in bed with the devil. He lives for darkness and fire’.”