Charleston Past Midnight by Christine Edwards Page A

walls going back up. She says in measured tones. “I’ve waited a lifetime to reach my goal of becoming a physician, and now that that goal is in sight, no one—not you or some arrogant ancient dickhead, or anyone else—will ever veer me off course. Do you understand, Severin?”
    She is so unbelievably hot when she gets angry. I want to pin her down and command her little body to cleave to me, but I won’t stand for her speaking to me like that.
    “You need to learn to curb that sharp little pink tongue of yours, ma belle fleur . It will inevitably lead you into even bigger trouble if you are not careful.”
    She huffs and flops back on the bed. “We’ll see about that,” she mumbles. “It’s seriously been a long day, and I’m completely wiped.”
    With my index finger I brush a gleaming strand away from her eyes. “Sleep, beauty, for nothing will harm you while you’re here with me.”
    She sighs quietly and drapes her arm across my chest. I watch her eyes slide closed and inside of ten seconds her breathing is deep and even. She’s well on her way to dreamland. I wanted to discuss much more with her tonight because I feel that we didn’t even nick the surface of the iceberg that is on a collision course with her future.
    Staring up at the smoke-gray and wood-inlaid ceiling I rack my mind as to how I’m going to curtail the danger that’s gunning for her with the power a category five hurricane. I already have inexplicably deep feelings for this woman and I won’t let him annihilate her, which is what would happen if he tried to rein her in. She is too headstrong and would be even more so if she turns. No, her wild beauty could never be harnessed. Being controlled would destroy her. I won’t let that happen to her as it did to Katerina.

 
    Chapter Ten
    Sixteen Years Earlier
    Westin, West Virginia
    “C an you believe that I’ve been invited to my very first play date? I’m so excited, Brant! Are you sure this dress looks all right? It ain’t fancy or nothin’ but it’s the best I got. Man, can you believe the size of this house? Wow ….”
    My brother shakes his head at me while fighting a grin. “Yeah, well that’s because it’s a funeral home, silly. They’re always big and fancy.”
    His eyes narrow and he slows his stride as we climb the tall steps leading up to the grand white house on the hill.
    When we reach the top, he turns to me, still holding my hand and asks, “You sure that these are nice girls, Calla? I mean, I know they’re your classmates and all, but ya gotta wonder why they never played with you before now, don’t cha?”
    I don’t want to admit it, but he’s right. Every recess I skip rope on my own and watch the pretty girls with the shining bows in their hair playing all sorts of fun games together. They never look my way or talk to me and I’m fine with that. When I get too lonely, I go pick flowers from the small patch of grass by the bus lot—well, they’re more like weeds, but I imagine that they are beautiful pink posies. When Marlene asked me to come to her house on Saturday morning for a girls only play date I was so excited that I could barely answer her.
    I look up into my big brother’s eyes, which are filled with concern. “Maybe they just realized that I’m fun, Brant. Go on now. I’m a big girl.”
    “All right, Calla. I’m headed over to the field to play baseball and I’ll be back at lunchtime to walk you home. Don’t you go nowhere till I come for you, all right?”
    “Okay, Brant. See ya.”
    Nearly bouncing in my worn pink cowgirl boots, I ring the doorbell.
    I hear footsteps racing to the door. They’re happy to see me!
    The tall wood and etched glass door swings wide and Marlene, Dana, and Jeannie grin at me.
    Suddenly I feel shy, knowing that I don’t look fancy like they do. I look down at the ground and then back up through my lashes and give a small, silent wave.
    “Well, come on, silly, come in! We’ve been waiting for you.