His Slave

36. Goodbye

The rest of the party blurs together. We have cake and they make me open my presents. Jewelry and clothing, and a few books. This is too much. The gifts are too much and for a moment I think about declining them. But that would be rude, so I manage a thank you instead.

I keep trying to get over to James but every time I try, my friends keep stopping me, bombarding me with questions, or exclaiming how lucky I am to get to work in such an exquisite place.

I know I should be happy to get to talk to Toby and Adelaide and the others. And maybe I'm being a little ungrateful, but if I'm being honest, I'm overwhelmed by all the attention. And tired. I'm so tired. I hardly slept last night and right now I just want to slip upstairs and curl up in James' arms and go to sleep.

When I catch Elias gathering the dirty dishes I decide to help him. We take all the dishes into the kitchen, setting them in the sink to be washed later.

"Thanks for helping me," he says, a little awkwardly as he turns to me.

I smile at him. "It's no trouble," I reply, waving him off.

He furrows his eyebrows. "But it's your birthday," he protests. "Aren't you having a good time?"

I grimace. "I... don't really like all the attention," I admit with a nervous laugh.

Elias nods, smiling back at me. "Yeah I have to admit I was kind of surprised when Anna told me James wanted to throw a birthday party for you," he says, his expression turning serious.

"He really cares about you, Erin," he says earnestly.

I let out a heavy sigh. "Everybody keeps saying that as if I'm oblivious to his affection," I remark, grimacing at him. I might be a little slow sometimes but I'm getting tired of people treating me like I'm an idiot.

Elias clears his throat, uncomfortable. "Right. I'll go get the rest," he tells me before leaving the kitchen.

I lean back against the counter, taking in a deep breath, grateful to be alone for a few minutes.

"God, if Daniel tried to stop me one more time I was going to punch him out."

Startled, I turn to find James entering the kitchen and relief floods through me.

I smile at him, pushing off the counter. "That bad?" I ask, pretending to wince as I step over to him.

"Every time I was about to walk away to come find you, he'd grab my arm and start up again, telling me about his trip to Costa Rica last summer," he replies, shaking his head as he runs his fingers through his hair.

So, he's spent the party trying to get to me too. The realization makes my heart swell.

"You didn't want to hear about his trip to Costa Rica?" I ask him curiously.

James narrows his eyes, his lips drawn into a thin, irritated line. "I was there!" He snaps, making me laugh.

"Drunk?" I confirm.

James smirks. "Completely wasted," he replies.

I shake my head. "Anna kept forcing me to learn stupid dances," I reply, rolling my eyes. I decide not to mention my conversation with Mr. Brewer to him.

We share a laugh. "Sounds like everyone conspired to keep us apart all evening," he jests.

"It seems they did," I agree with a shrug.

Then, his demeanor changes from nonchalant and playful to dark and possessive all at once.

"I don't like being kept away from you," James hisses desperately, his tone low and dangerous and filled with desire. His words send heat rushing through my core.