Guardian of the Shadows ~Closed

[cnuveau]

Even though he knew early on that Jo was wearing a wig he still couldn't help but notice how different she looked without it as he spoke. Perhaps it was her intent when she developed the disguise but without it, he found her far more attractive.

He wasn't at all surprised that seemed agreeable to the terms he had laid out. Given her situation it was both a lucrative offer and also helped to solve her more pressing issue of finding a safe harbor to avoid whatever it was she was facing.

When she began to explain exactly what it was she was dealing with, Edward listened intently to not only what she was saying but the emotions that it drew out of her. Now able to sense her emotions, the terror she felt from the situation was visceral for him. It gave him a greater appreciation for the same sort of terror he'd caused others all those years ago and made him more regretful of how he conducted himself before he began to settle.

Edward gasped lightly when she pulled her hair up to reveal the scars on her neck then again when she removed her hoodie to show the rest. He ran his fingers gingerly along the long scars that marred her otherwise flawless skin as the anger within him built. "If anything, I welcome the idea of him coming for you while I'm around. I'd take enormous pleasure in paying him back in kind." he said before leaning in to press his lips tenderly to one of the cars on her shoulder.

"I also have little concern about the connections of his father. I've navigated those situations before and I'm not without resources myself." he continued as he leaned back away from her. "Nothing I've heard her changes my mind. If anything, it makes me realize we have something in common." Standing from the sofa, Edward slowly untied his robe then dropped it from his shoulders and turned his back to her revealing his own set of scars. "I've been in my own share of scrapes and have made it through. I'm sure we'll both make it through this as well."

 

[Perplexia]

The kiss that he had placed lightly over her scar caused the same reaction as it had before. For a moment she thought she would lose her balance and topple on top of him. Still she listened to him speak

"I've been in my own share of scrapes and have made it through. I'm sure we'll both make it through this as well."

Even though she knew when the book was done they'd go their separate ways she found herself hanging on to the word 'we'll'. As if they were a team that could take on the world. She'd never thought of a life like that before. With someone by her side, that wanted nothing from her except to help. A line she had once heard from her parents played in her mind Accept a gift that is freely given with no strings.'. All the gifts Jake had given her had been tossed back at her with a slithered tongue as she'd refused his physical advances. Her naivety had her try to console and reason with him. That wasn't love. What he did, no matter how many times he had claimed it was not love.

"I appreciate your acceptance of my limitations and need to remain hidden" she said softly to him trying to regain her composure. She pulled the hoodie back on, looking at the scars herself made her ill, there was no telling what it would do to another. "I'm sure you've figured out that Jo James is my nom de plume. It's fine that name is listed as a writer. Just no photos." she clarified from an earlier statement he made. "I will need the WI-Fi network and password so i can send off the review. I'm sure in a day or so i'll need to go do another somewhere else." Lily trembled slightly at the thought of having to go out in public again.

Shaking it off she added. "I'm sure you'd like your lawyers to have a contract drawn up regarding the agreement we've agreed upon. Just let me know when its ready to sign, and when you'd like to begin."

 

[cnuveau]

After showing her his own scars Edward sat down beside her again not bothering to re-tie his robe which left his tone chest largely exposed. "Of course. I have no doubts you'll be able to handle both." he replied before providing her the Wi-Fi details she required to send out her review. "I guess I should have asked to read the review to make sure it's favorable before giving you that huh?" he added with a light hearted laugh before picking up his glass of wine again and taking a sip.

Though he'd readily agreed to her condition of no monkey business, having her on the sofa next to him without her disguise was making it significantly harder not to ponder breaking that promise. Though his first instinct was to protect her, that instinct was quickly being overcome by another far less innocent desire. He knew, how ever, that acting on that desire might lightly send her fleeing the first chance she got.

In an effort to distract himself from his growing desires Edward stood from the sofa and motioned toward the patio just beyond the glass. "The pool his heated so you'll find it comfortable year round and your free to use it whenever you'd like. Same goes for the rest of the house but I ask that you respect any locked doors you may come across." he said as he began to pace the floor trying to think of what else she might need to know. "During the day there is a housekeeper who'd be more than willing to help you with anything you need. Is there anything else you'd like to know before we retire for the evening?"