Eleos (Book two in The Empaths series)

Chapter Eleven

When Lucy opened her eyes, it took her a moment to remember where she was. Eleos, she thought, and she smiled, recollecting exactly what had happened last night. Sun was streaming in through her balcony doors, one of which was now partially open, and a warm breeze drifted across the room.

Through the sheer curtains, Lucy could see Tristan just beyond. He was leaning against the balcony railing, holding a mug in one hand while he pushed his hair out of his face with the other. He was wearing only a pair of loose sweat pants – his top half completely bare, and the muscles across his back stretched and moved as he shifted his stance. Lucy watched him with a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach. She could recall every last detail of the night before as though it were a movie playing back in her mind.

She had retreated to her bedroom after her bath, suddenly very aware that she and Tristan were alone in the house, and it had taken every last ounce of her courage to walk out of that bedroom and down the stairs to where he was sitting, in front of the fire. He still looked like he was embarrassed about what had happened in the bathroom – quietly berating himself.

Lucy took a long, deep breath at the door before she walked in and sat down on the edge of the coffee table in front of him.

"Is everything alright?" she asked. "You look worried."

Tristan shook his head. "I'm fine," he replied, pushing his hair from his face. He was nervous, she could tell. As always, his hair flopped right back into place when he let it go.

She smiled and took his hand in hers. "You don't need to be embarrassed about before," she said, tilting her head to look into his eyes.

Tristan scrunched them shut. "Oh god," he mumbled, dropping his head. "I really was hoping you hadn't noticed that."

Lucy giggled. "I notice everything. It's kind of who we are, remember?"

He looked up and half-smiled at her. "I know."

He played with her fingers for a moment before going on. "And I should apologise for making you feel..."

"Attractive, desired... loved?" Lucy asked, cutting him off. "You don't need to apologise, Tristan. It's perfectly normal to look. We've been together long enough now that I'd probably be a little offended if you didn't look, if I'm being completely honest."

"Really?" he asked, chuckling despite his nerves.

"Of course," Lucy replied with a scoff. "I mean, if the situation was reversed, I know I'd be looking." She finished with a shrug, internally impressed with her sudden sense of confidence.

Tristan laughed. "Who are you and what have you done with Lucy Owens?"

Lucy laughed with him. She quickly moved from the coffee table to sit on the couch beside him. "I'm still me, I'm just seeing things differently today." She reached over and put her hand on the side of his face, rubbing his cheek with her thumb. "We've been through so much together, and we've seen so many amazing things recently, that my perspective has changed a little, I guess." She stared at him for a second, seeing him so clearly now, before continuing. "I realised today, just how much I care about you, and how much having you in my life has made it better, in every way possible. I couldn't bear to think of you not being here with me."

He smiled at her and took her hand in both of his. He held it to his lips before he answered. "I feel exactly the same. I couldn't imagine my life without you."

Lucy's heart leapt, and she had to take a breath to steady it.

She was laughing with giddy joy when Tristan took her face in his big hands and said, "I am so crazy in love with you, Lucy, and I will always be here for you, no matter what. I hope you know that?"