Chapter 38

Genesis  He kissed me like a man dying of thirst — and maybe he was, maybe it was my blood. Was it wrong to hope it was my smile? Maybe even my dress?  I played with the beautiful silk fabric, waiting for Ethan to acknowledge the kissing — or at least part of what Cassius had alluded to.  When the silence stretched the entire ride home, disappointment stabbed me in the chest.  We reached the house.  He pulled the car up to the massive gate; it opened.  Still nothing.  He turned off the car and reached for the door when I blurted, "Do you hate me?"  His hand froze on the car door; in fact, his entire body froze. My heart picked up speed. I knew he could hear it, but there was nothing I could do about the effect he had on me.  "No…" His voice was low, almost a growl. "I could never hate you."  "I'm sorry…" Tears stung the back of my eyes. "…for whatever I did. I'm sorry you were forced to protect me when you didn't want to."  "You