Buttons and Grace (Buttons 6)

“I think it’s because he loves Pearl.” I patted the carrots dry then cut them into thin slices. “Can’t put a price on that.”

His back was to me. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll find someone else. There’re a lot of talented chefs around here.” He placed everything inside then grabbed the carrots I prepared. He tossed those inside too then set the lid on top. “That’ll be ready in a few hours.” He exited the kitchen and entered the living room. “I’m gonna shower.” Before I could catch up to him again, he was gone.

I didn’t like the wall between us.

I didn’t like the way he pushed me away.

We seemed to be going back in time, to when we hardly knew each other.

But I knew him now.

* * *

We had dinner at the table, but Cane didn’t look at me. His eyes were focused on his food or the view outside the window. It was dark because the sun was gone so there wasn’t much to see, but he preferred to look at the landscape instead of me.

There was no intimacy anymore.

We hadn’t had sex since I returned from Tristan’s because I needed more time. Now I was properly healed. The scars over my heart and behind my eyelids would be there forever, but I didn’t think about them when Cane was with me. I didn’t feel like a victim at all—only a survivor. Maybe if we were together again, we could have that connection I missed. Or maybe he would stay distant anyway. “I feel so bad for Crow. He looks terrible.”

“You should have seen him a few days ago.” Cane opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass. After taking a sniff, he took a drink. His jaw tensed, and his eyes narrowed in repulsion before he set it down again.

“You don’t like red wine?”

“I don’t like wine—period.”

“Then why are you drinking it?”

“Crow and I are going to be partners in his wine business, so I’m going to have to force myself to like it.”

“That’s exciting. When is that going to start?”

“When he’s back on his feet. He’ll need at least a few weeks.”

“Pearl seems like she’s doing well.”

“She’s just happy he’s home and alive. I know he looks bad, but that’s nothing he can’t get over. If she’d let him, he’d probably be moving around the house and going to work.”

“Doesn’t like to sit still?”

“No. Neither of us does.”

“I picked up on that.” I grabbed the bottle and poured myself a glass. I swirled it around before I took a sip. I was expecting something dry and bland based on his reaction, but it was sultry and smooth. “This is good.”

“You have better taste than I do.”

“Wine is an acquired taste. It can be bold and delicious. It’ll take some time to get used to. I know you prefer strong liquor.”

“Crow does too, but he seems to like it.”

“Give it time.”

Cane still hadn’t looked at me. I knew it wasn’t because of my captivity with Tristan. It was because of the divider he placed between us, the barrier that was present day and night.

I didn’t like this. “Cane?”

“Hmm?” He took another bite of food, his eyes down.

I lost my appetite even though I hadn’t eaten much that day. “We need to talk about this…”

“Talk about what?” He raised his head and looked me in the eye—for the first time that evening. His eyes were devoid of emotion, and he seemed indifferent, as if he was really over that awkward conversation we had.

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“You’ll need to spell it out for me, sweetheart. I can’t read your mind…as I learned the hard way.”

Sweetheart? Can’t read my mind? “I know things have been different between us because of that dinner we had.” I didn’t need to specify further than that. I was certain we were both on the same page. “I don’t want it to be this way.”

“That makes no sense.” He dropped his fork onto the plate. “Because this is exactly how you want it to be. You don’t love me, and that’s fine. This is how two people act when they don’t love each other. You expect me to kiss the ground you walk on? I already risked my life and my brother’s life to save you. I’ve given you enough, and I’m not giving you any more.” He left the table and abandoned his food. “You can’t have it both ways, Adelina. I’m not some idiot stuck under your thumb.” He stormed out of the kitchen, his rage filling every inch of the room.

“Cane.”

He didn’t stop.

I went after him and caught up to him in the living room. “It’s not like that, Cane.”

“You used me.” He turned around, his thick arms shaking by his sides. “You used me, and you know it.”

“No, I didn’t. You know I would never do something like that.”