He stood at the edge of the room, his figure casting long shadows in the twilight. His hair had grown from when we had last seen each other, and he was now taller than her. The gaze he focused so intently out the window remained there, not making eye contact with the blonde heiress.
Finally, she took a risk and broke the silence. "Would you like something to drink?" she asked, sitting at the small table near the bed. The man grunted what sounded to her like a no, so she surrendered and endured the silence once more.
The next time it was him who spoke. "Lie," he whispered so lowly that she almost didn't catch it. In the blink of an eye he was standing next to her, staring down at her as intently as he had done with the window. Her hands she kept folded under the table began to tremble.
"You are the only one for me," he said shifting so he stood directly behind her, wrapping his arms around her so his hands rested above her chest. She closed her eyes momentarily, knowing that only pain would come from this.
"I've never wanted anyone else," she said, playing along to the game she knew so well. She felt his hands tense against the bare skin below the nape of her neck. Still upset, she continued. "I've never had anyone else and never will."
He slowly removed his arms, the care he took evident. He replaced them at the top of the chair, holding the seat so tightly she could feel the wood crack against her neck. "I enjoy your company."
Lifting her arms out from beneath the table, she raised her arms in the air and was barely able to wrap her arms around his waist. "As I enjoy yours." She ran her fingers over the fabric that covered his back, his hair twined around her fingers.
He promptly grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her over the back of the chair. One arm supported her by the crook of her knees while the other held her by the shoulders.
He stared down at her, taking in the tremble of her lips and the way her eyes sparkled with moisture. Readjusting her, he set her down on her feet in front of him, removing his arms from her legs and shoulders so he could hold her by the waist. He traced one hand up her back, stopping at her neck. His eyes met hers, blue meeting red.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, slowly pulling herself closer to him. He watched her close her eyes and lift her lips to his. At first he remained still, feeling her lips against his for the first time in years. He then pulled her tighter to him, opening his mouth against hers to once again know her.
She gasped when he pulled her down.
"I love you." The other stared back, shock on their face.
"I hate you."