Fallen by Laury Falter Page B

momentarily distracted.
    Regaining my composure, I asked, “Are you going to answer me?”
    “I wasn’t sure how.”
    “The truth always helps,” I suggested.
    “No…that’s not what I mean…” He seemed to struggle for the words to explain. “I’m …I’m not sure how I do it.”
    It was clear h e was as frust rated as me . I gave him time, glancing around my room and noting that I hadn’t picked up a single stitch of clothing in what looked to be a week. I made a movement to begin straightening up , and make my room presentable , when he began to speak.
    “Typically, I don’t feel you. Most of the time there is…nothing. Then, something happens. It’s e ither a slow build up or…or an intensely quick response , but suddenly I’m overwhelmed with a feeling that I can only attribute to the sensation of panic .”
    Oddly, I was able to discern that he just uncannily described every instance of fear that I was beginning to sense these last few days. I nodded, asking him to go on, and waited.
    His eyes dropped to the floor , flitt ing back and forth , as if they would reveal some understanding of what he experienced .
    “Then I have an uncontrollable need to find you, to protect you. ” His eyes were usually so certain , but now , so confused , rising back up to meet mine. In a rush of words, making me think he was slightly embarrassed to announce them, he declared , “I can think of nothing else then until I see that you are safe.”
    “But you came tonight…even though I wasn’t fearful, or in any danger . ”
    “Right, I did,” h e said , still perplexed. “Tonight was different. I… I felt a… yearning. From you.”
    The realization of those words spread through me like hot liquid, and now, i t was my eyes that dropped to the floor, avoiding his. I could feel the heat creep up over my cheeks and across my forehead . I had never been more mortified in all my life.
    “It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he assured me, though I detected humor beneath his words.
    Yet , it was something to be ashamed of . He had no control over the feelings that pestered him when it pertained to dealing with me – he’d just made that clear - whereas I did have control . I had no excuse.
    I realized he was waiting patiently for my reply , watching me with his intense blue-green eyes.
    “I have more questions,” I whispered, my head still down, wishing the flush would fade faster .
    He stepped forward, tucking his finger under my chin and gently lifting it so I was forced to look up. A shock ran through my body when he touched me and intensified when our eyes met . “ I don’t think any less of you for asking me to come here.” He exuded a tenderness that made his words unquestionably sincere.
    I gave him an awkward smile, intended to be an unspoken thanks for pacifying my ego. He really could be chivalrous , when he put forth the effort.
    But then , he dropped his hand and stepped back against the dresser again, adding playfully, “It’s really not your fault. You can’t help yourself when it comes to me.”
    I sneer ed at him , but still laughed. “Funny … . ”
    “Not really. I rather enjoy it.”
    I couldn’t be certain , whether he meant what he said or he was still teasing , but I decided it was safer to change the subject anyways.
    “I did call you here for a reason … . ”
    “ Yes, y ou said you have questions.” A smile played on his lips. “Shoot.”
    I sat up on the foot of the bed before beginning . I needed to see his reactions , and that position gave me a better vantage point. My flushing was finally starting to diminish , thankfully.
    “You’re not from around here, are you?” I asked, starting with an easy one.
    “ I’m close enough .”
    “Where?”
    “Close enough.” There was no arrogant grin accompanying what appeared to be teasing banter. Instead, his face was firmly set , undeter red .
    I sighed. “You agreed to answer my questions.”
    “I did and I will. But