Chapter 8 (Rose Petals)
Nancy had brought up a tray full of food, moist garlic bread, piping hot grilled chicken seasoned with squash, Zucchini and various spices Candice couldn’t seem to name. Of course she only watched as Nathan took bite after bite. He moaned and looked up at Nancy with a heavy lids.
“This is amazing.” he cried happily and was the very cause of the warm smile on Nancy’s face.
“I hear you’re a chef.” Nancy turned towards her and Candice smiled just like she would at any of her critics. Small but sweet, warm but sharp; she didn’t fool around when it came to food or her art of cooking it. In her dark days food was the only thing she had control over. The only thing that comforted her when Anthony lay awake too shook up from his attack to sleep. Candice shut off her dark memories in a small box in her mind and concentrated on Nancy’s clear zealous eyes.
“Hardly. I just started out.” she answered with as much honesty as possible. She looked over at Nathan who was indulging his taste buds in mind altering food. She had to admit; it smelled amazing.
“And went straight catering one of London’s biggest events?” Nancy questioned with a perk of her brow. Candice shifted underneath her gaze. She couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable under Nancy’s questioning gaze. Then Leeza came to mind. Her ecstatic friend always held on to her before a major event and told her that everyone is ignorant when it comes to food. That she had to be a teacher ; and teach-Teachers don’t get nervous she had added and gave her a tight hug. Although the words weren’t as wise as Leeza sought them to be; Candice understood as Nancy lifted both her brows waiting for her answer.
“It was luck. Even though I know I am fully capable of handling grand event such as these- I never expected for an opportunity to land in the palms of my hands so fast.” Candice told her the truth.
She had been flabbergasted when her phone rang and the head chef ordered her to come meet him instantly. She had a polka dotted dress in the most vibrant of colors; yellow and she didn‘t care to change out of it as she ran to work. She had smiled and couldn’t help but hug Nicholas. He nodded at her and winced covering his eyes.
“Next time try not to dress like a highlighter” he grinned and left her joyous and fulfilled. This was exactly the opportunity she needed to gain respect in the industry of hounds. She wanted to be known and like people say. Be careful what you wish for. Now she was all over the news and running for her life with a man she hardly knew. Candice didn’t know where her life was going but she couldn’t think of it at the moment.
“Luck eh?” Nancy questioned her with a sharp tone causing Nathan to look up from his plate. He could feel the air becoming tense around them and noticed the territorial look on Nancy’s face. She was clearly inspecting Candice. Judging by the way Candice stiffened besides him ; Nancy was driving her patience.
“What exactly are you implying Nancy?” Candice asked shocking Nathan. He thought of her to be shy, quite and soft as rose petals but she surprised him with the direct question. No one ever questioned Nancy. Not even him. No one dared to test her. Everyone knew Nancy was sweet as honey but her temper was just as spicy. Except of course Candice. The woman he just had sex with. Minutes ago they were breathless ,naked and fondled each other in various embraces and now they sat side by side fully clothes as if nothing had happened. Some how he felt at ease; that Candice wouldn’t look too deep into the situation. They were just grown adult driven by lust and that was that. Simple.
Candice watched eagerly waiting for Nancy’s reply. She could see Nancy’s expression shifting as the room became more tensed. There was so much Candice could hold in. She shared a bed with a man who she only knew was royal and had hands of a god. She wanted to moan and do nothing but to kiss him again but he had just sat there, motion less as Nancy displayed the food in front of him. He was rigid, detached and highly aware of his body. He shifted away from her when her fingers brushed his knees. She had bent down to pick up her bra and he flinched at her touch as if she was poisonous and that had hurt. More than she would have liked it to.
“Don’t mind me darling; I always investigate who Nathan associates with. It’s nothing personal.” she added with a flick of a hand. Candice didn’t know whether to seek comfort in the small gesture or find it offensive; so she just turned towards the small window and stared at the bed of flowers. She wanted to go outside and feel the fresh air. She wasn’t someone who liked being cooped up in a room. She went out to jog every morning and welcomed the fresh aromas; that’s where she found her inspiration to cook. Every day she took a path near supermarkets then around the Square to smell the complexities of those high franchised restaurants. Candice always came back home with a fresh mind and ingredients that made even her mouth water.
“If you don’t mind I’m going to go outside.” she turned to Nathan who was staring dumb founded at her. She tensed and her hand went to her cheek.
“What?” she asked “Is there something on my face?” she asked. Nathan turned away with out answering the question and stood up. He took Nancy into his arm and hugged her.
Candice didn’t see Nathan as the family type. He was a exciting man who took what he wanted and never once looked back at the broken hearts. That’s who he was; or atleast that’s what the tabloids made of him. Knowing most of the gossip was false she couldn’t picture Nathan showing any kind of physical emotion towards his brothers. She assumed he was naturally detached but that still didn’t make her feel any better. She was still insulted and at that moment she had to get out of the room. It was as if the walls were closing in on her and the short distance that stretched out between her and Nathan began to strangle her. She tried very hard to not feel the pain but she couldn’t help it. Candice felt -well she used. She closed her eyes and moved away as Nathan sat back down besides her.
“I’m going outside.” she commented rather than asked. Nathan drew in a sharp breath and exhaled running his hands through his brown toppled hair as if she had asked him to donate one of his organs.
The grim look on his face vexed her and she hardly ever felt annoyed. She stood up from her spot ; irritation shown clearly on her face. She pulled back her hair into a low pony tail and rubbed her face clear of sleep. She couldn’t sit next to the man let alone sleep besides him.
“You haven’t even eaten yet.” he finally said.
“Oh. I just thought I get out of your hair.” she said composing herself before she lost it. He stared at her; for too long. She fidgeted wanting very much to tear his eyes out of his sockets. She stopped -Where had the emotion come from? This wasn’t her. Nor did she involve in casual sex like she just had done. Maybe god was punishing her for being so careless.
“You should eat” he stood up towering over her. Candice suddenly felt small but she did a hell of a job not showing it.
“I told you- I don’t eat when I don’t know who made it.” she answered reminding him of the first time they had the conversation which was only hours ago.
“Nancy made it” he commented picking up the plate. The food had already gone cold and he picked at it with the silver fork until one of the peas fell to the ground.
“I know but I don’t know her-” Candice explained frustrated. What part of her phobia did he not get? Did he enjoy insulting her or was he just that ignorant?
“You have sex with random men but can’t eat food made by strangers” he said and as soon as he said he wished he hadn’t. He saw the hurt in her face and then anger flare between warm lips.
“Candice-” he started but she held up her hand. “I didn’t mean it like that.” he finished.
“No; it’s clear what you meant.” she said anger bubbling up inside her. First he seduced her then he acted as if she was a complete stranger and now he was pointing fingers at her for being what- a whore? “I’m not a whore that I sleep with every attractive man I see Nathan. That might be your cup of tea but not mine” she said turning around to face the window. She heard a low growl and the next thing she knew she was pinned against a wall locked between two strong arms.
She tried to push him away but he stayed put. He was stronger than her ; that was pretty much clear but she had to try. His tenebrous eyes looked down at her and she felt as if his body was going to eat her whole but she stood up straight trying her very best not to show any kind of fear, But that didn’t stop her body from reacting- He stood close too close for her to breath and not take in his addicting scent. So she held her breath but that wasn’t enough. She had to get out of his hold ; he just wouldn’t budge. That’s when she looked up to him and sighed. His face had become harsh, dangerous and his eyes seemed ominous- and-and he had never looked so appealing. She held in the urge to touch him but it was hard knowing that he was staring at her lips and at any moment they would be back where they started. Her heart latched on to her brain and screamed to turn and run away.
“Let me go.” she said trying to maneuver out of his hold but she failed. “Nathan” she stopped as closed in on her.
“Did I say something wrong? ” he tried maintained his frustration but even he couldn’t calm himself after the accusation she made. Yes he changed girlfriends like his clothes but that gave her no right to question him. If it wasn’t for her he wouldn’t be in this mess. She was just like the rest; seducing a rich man while all the time ruining his life. He had left the casual sex life behind him and focused on more valuable things in life but as all good things must come to an end; Candice showed up. He grunted and pulled her up against his chest. She gasped and he grinned viciously aware how her body reacted to him.
“What are you doing?” she asked pushing him away but he only brought her closer. Her breath got caught in her throat as he leaned down slowly. She wanted to pull away but her body was frozen. His touch ;she reminded herself-was magical. Still Candice put effort into making her self dignified and despised anything that made her seem small or threatened her to lose self respect. Right now she feared that she just might give in into that devilish grin. Candice stiffened and told her self over and over again. She was strong.
“Nathan leave me” it didn’t come out like she had planned. It was more of a sigh, a plea but it was something.
“It hurts to hear the truth doesn’t it? Am I lieing? Have you not just slept with a strange man?” he questioned again. It didn’t seem as if he was concerned. No; he seemed quite the opposite. He was insulting her; making her feel inferior ; something she didn’t like. Giving up she sighed and looked away from his burning eyes.
“I don’t need to explain myself to you” she spoke through clenched teeth.
“Maybe it’s not strange men you like it’s the money-” Her hand met his cheek and the sound erupted through the room like a bullet. He didn’t move for quite some time and neither did she. Her hand tingled from the contact and she stared up at his frozen features.
“Excuse me” she hissed trying to keep the tears inside but that one tear wouldn’t hold and it slid down her cheek slowly. She pushed back the hurt and moved aorund him.
He stood in place unable to figure out what had happened. He should feel insulted and furious instead he felt guilty; ashamed. He had just accused Candice of being a whore; she was far from it. To make matters worse he slapped her with another accusation of being a gold digger. He sighed raking his long fingers through his hair. She didn’t deserve that while he deserved every bit of that slap. He saw the tear run down her soft cheek and he was the cause of it. His heart felt heavy with guilt and lament. What had he done?
Nathan bit his tongue thinking of ways to set things right. Of course an apology would be in order but what he did- a simple sorry wasn’t going to cut it. Nathan gazed out the window and watched as Candice walked along the sidewalk blending in with the red roses. Nathan dropped his head into his hands and sought out a way to apologize to her. He wouldn’t be surprise if she slapped him again. It had only been a two days since he’d known her but he knew her enough to know that she was a self made woman. Candice didn’t rely on others to do her work. She was an independent woman driven by emotions. She seemed delicate but had stood up to him; to Nathan Balfour. Then her eyes filled up with water and he cursed himself as he pictured that one tear rolling down her face. He cursed under his breath; he couldn’t stand tears. He hated his father for making his mother cry day and night and ,now at the moment he despised himself for acting so crude. This was one of the aspects he hoped not to inherit from his father. He felt disgusted for putting Candice in the situation and it wasn’t all her fault they were there in Nancy’s small apartment trying to hide from the world. He kissed her first she just acted like any other woman would in the arms of a man she found attractive. He sighed and slipped into his shoes. He had a lot of apologizing to do and the sooner he started the better.
Candice sauntered through thick grass and let the fragrance of roses swarm her. The cool air hit her making her heated body rest. She could still feel her hand tingle from striking Nathan. Her hands had raised without her consent. It was a reflex and even though it felt good to shut him up; it shouldn’t have happened. Candice was better than that. She always maintained her temper but she felt abused, used and insulted . Being treated like a third class whore wasn’t what she wanted to feel like after mind blowing sex. Candice snorted unattractively and laughed at herself. What did she expect? He was going to kiss her and tell her everything will be alright? She was asking for it. Why did she even expect something from someone like Nathan Balfour. Ruined by money, and spoiled to the core by his parents- that man wouldn’t know manners if it bit him in the arse. She picked up one of the lilies and smelled them. She twirled the flower in her hands and breathed in the fresh scent of wet grass. It would rain soon but she didn’t care. Rain would drown out her tears and then she could clear her mind after the whole emotional whirlwind passed.
It was just sex. She repeated for the hundredth time. Still she shouldn’t have been treated like that. It was her fault for not thinking it through. She had known Nathan used women and she had dated plenty of men that went under the same criteria; and still she went with it. Candice closed her eyes cursing under her breath and looked up at the gray sky. That was her life; gray and bland and before Nathan Balfour came into her life it was perfect. She missed the boring days and would do anything to forget and go back as if nothing happened; but would she want to forget the way his touch made her shudder with pleasure or the way his eyes darkened with lust at the sight of her parted lips. No she liked the feeling but his words had stung far more. She decided that no amount of passionate sex would ever come before her dignity.
“Candice” his voice melted through her and she turned to see him standing several feet away from her. She didn’t like the way it affected her ands he wished thunder would strike and his voice would wash away with the cleansed rain drops.
He came forth and she inched back. He stopped a foot away form her and glanced at her with a pain struck expression. If he thought that that would make her feel sorry for him then he was out of his mind.
“Candice please.” he begged and she stopped frowning. “I shouldn’t have said those things” he started but Candice wanted to stay mad at him. She didn’t want the anger to die. If it did it would be replaced by wild hunger and she couldn’t stand to be humiliated again. She closed herself completely and just stared into his eyes which had melted into a soft brown.
“No; you shouldn’t have said those things. But you did.” she answered closing her eyes. Don’t cry ;she thought and opened to see Nathan was only inches away from her. Standing still she refused to be seduced.
“I know and I would do anything to take them back.” he said looking straight at her. He choked on the next sentence and Candice straightened up a bit more. Was he trying to apologize to her? She watched him observing the way he clenched his hands into fists and the way his teeth gritted against the inside of his mouth.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Candice I’m-” the thunder struck a tree several yards away from them and drowned out the noise of the people. The sky grew darker and Candice flinched as the thunder struck again hitting nothing in particular. Then like magic rain drops toppled over their heads washing out the dirt from the grass making the bright colors pop against the bland back drop of the sky.
“What are you two doing outside? Come in!” Agatha screamed from the shop entrance. Candice looked up at Nathan and then rushed inside covering her head with her hands. Nathan followed reluctantly keeping up with her with out any effort. He had to apologize one way or another.