Novel Storm
32
Elena shook her head. There was no way she was going to let herself be stuck with him in his car for two hours. Not again. While she was mad at him and desperately wanted to punch him, her body still reacted to his presence like a fucking magnet. She still noticed him and the way he kept staring at her…. Oh God. “I don’t think that’s going to be possible, Lexi,” she said,
“Yeah, no way,” Emily added,
“I’m sure that Chandler and I will be able to act civil for your wedding. We are adults and we can handle ourselves without having to make up or ride together in his car,”
Lexi shook her head, “My wedding, my rules,” she said, “You guys are riding together and I want you to be friends again by the time we arrive, got it? Even if you don’t want to be friends, find a common ground,”
“I’m fine with that,” said Chandler, much to Elena’s discomfort and Emily’s irritation.
Emily poked a finger in his direction, “I don’t care if she forgives you, Chandler,” she said, “You do not deserve her,”
Chandler nodded. He deserved that.
Daniel wrapped an arm around Emily’s waist and squeezed lovingly, “Elena can take care of herself honey,” he whispered in her ear,
Charlotte groaned, “Urghh… Are we going to start this journey or not?”
“We sure are,” said Elijah, “Let’s get in,”
Everyone began to load their luggage into the car boot, but Elena stood still, hating this decision with all her heart. Soon, everyone else were in their various cars as assigned by Lexi and only Chandler and Elena remained standing outside. Elena stood with her hand tightly holding on to her luggage, and she even gripped it tighter as Chandler approached her. It was quite funny, because there was no way a successful business owner like Chandler was going to steal her possessions… Or maybe she was just trying to stop herself from smacking him in the head.
Chandler stopped in front of her, “Elena…” He began softly,
“I’m not getting in your car with you… Not now…. Not ever again,”
He nodded, “Okay…. So what are you going to do? Not attend the wedding?”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Elena gave his question some thought, “No…. There are other modes of transport… That I could use,” she replied, but she didn’t sound very sure of herself and the expression on her face almost made him laugh. He held back as this wasn’t the right time, but she already saw the smirk on his face, “I’m sorry, is there something funny?”
Chandler shook his head, “Hell no,” he reached out for her before she could pull away and took her hand in his. She tried to struggle but he wouldn’t let her so she gave up, “I’m sorry, Elena,” he said, “I’ve wanted to say this to you for a while now…. I’m sorry. When I asked you out, the last time thing I wanted to do was hurt you. You gave me a chance, and somehow I managed to screw it up and I’ll always regret it,”
Elena stared at him and fought the tears that threatened to fall, “It’s been like three weeks, Chandler,” she told him, “It took you that long to say this?”
Chandler opened his mouth to say something but Elijah pressed his car horn and his head shot out from the window, “Hey…. Come on you two. We don’t have all day!”
Chandler ignored him. His attention and eyes remained glued on Elena. Her hands remained in his, and he looked down at it. It looked even smaller wrapped in his… Soft… tender… It looked like it belonged there… And even in their messed up situation, he could still feel his body drawn to hers. He wanted to hug her. Wanted to protect her from getting hurt again, but this wasn’t the time, “I’d do anything to go back in time and do everything differently,” he told her, “and I wanted to reach out these past weeks, but I was worried that you wouldn’t want to talk to me. I was scared-”
She looked up at him now, her eyes searching his face as if trying to read it…. To see if he was telling her the truth, and he didn’t try to hide his feelings. He left himself bare, hoping she’d see right through him and believe him, so he pressed and dared to move an inch closer to her. Thankfully she didn’t move away or try to fight him this time,
“I thought about you all the time,” he said, almost in a whisper, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you because I missed you…. Even when I was at work, or alone at home, I wished everything had played out differently because if it had, then maybe you’d be home with me.” He breathed deeply, “But I screwed up and if you don’t give me another chance, I will understand, but for now, please get into the car, Elena…. Please,”
Elena wanted to resist. Oh how badly she wanted to fight him, but he was ruining everything she’d planned to say to him with his words, the damn look in his eyes and she suspected that he’d moved so damn close to her on purpose. His perfume and scent of his after shave were clearly messing with her judgement, because despite everything, she found herself nodding, “Fine,” she said, “Let’s get this over with-” she poked a finger in his chest and regretted the move immediately, because once she had her hand on him, all she wanted to do was flatten her palm and feel the muscle underneath… Maybe go a little higher…
It was insane the way her thoughts had drifted so suddenly, and he didn’t even have to make much effort. Clearly it didn’t matter how angry she was at him. She still wanted him, and the anger seemed to fuel that want even more. She dropped her hands suddenly as if he were made of hot coal, but he’d seen her hesitate and judging by the way his eyes suddenly darkened, she knew he knew exactly what she’d been thinking.
“-But I haven’t forgiven you, Chandler Kendrick,” she concluded her sentence with some effort,
He raised both hands, “Understood,” he said. He did not expect her to forgive him easily, but he didn’t plan to stop trying either. It meant he was going to have to chase her, and as messed up as it sounded, he did enjoy the chase.