Honor: a novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

reached for my hand. “I am grateful you show me such trust though.”  
    I was at a loss for words and just stared at his beautiful face. I was certain, at that moment, there was no turning back. I had fallen for this amazing man.
    Once we reached his house, I understood why he had chosen to buy it. The house was indeed older, but it gave it a certain charm new houses lacked. The porch wrapped around to the back, as did the driveway.  
    “Osric, your house is impressive. I can see why you bought it.”  
    He helped me from the car, and as we walked up to the back porch I turned to see his view of the river. It was like something out of a travel brochure. “Let me show you the inside,” he said as he opened the back door for me. We walked into a kitchen with tall dark cabinets. It was by far the nicest kitchen I had ever set foot in.  
    “Did you do all this?” I motioned to the cabinets.  
    “I did. The kitchen was in the worst shape out of everything in the house.”  
    I followed him into a hallway that led to a sitting room. This room looked to be untouched and had tools throughout. “I do most of my work out of here, so I haven’t begun working in this room yet.” He started down the hallway with me close behind. The next room was a bathroom that looked to be bigger than my kitchen. There was marble tile and a huge claw foot tub.
    “I can see why you wanted to show me this place, it’s beautiful.”  
    He reached for my hand and led me to a doorway that had a plastic covering over it. “This is what I wanted to show you. I haven’t made as much progress as I would have liked just yet, but I thought you would like it,” he said as he pulled back the plastic so I could walk through.  
    There were shelves from ceiling to floor all around the room. Each shelf had intricate designs etched at the top and bottom. In the middle of the room was a grand window that looked out over the river. “You’re building a library!” I exclaimed. “This is a perfect room for it too,” I assured him. “You are very talented Osric.” I began to grow aware that maybe I was too excited because he was staring at me intently.
    “You really like it?” he asked.  
    “Yes, this room is incredible.”  
    He was still staring at me. I began to feel uncomfortable for the first time since I had met him. I moved to look out the window as he gently reached for my arm. He turned me to face him and placed his hands on both sides of my face. My stomach fluttered with nervousness and I felt weak in the knees as he lightly rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb. His lips softly brushed up against mine and then I lost all control. My arms reached up around his neck and I pulled him toward me. His muscular arms wrapped around me and our kiss intensified. As quickly as it had started, it ended. He pulled away. The look on his face seemed torn.  
    I felt like I had done something wrong. “I am sorry. I don’t usually…” I exclaimed.  
    He ran his large hands through his hair and turned to look out the window. “I shouldn’t have done that Honor. I get wrapped up with you and forget…” he stopped talking.
    I wondered what he was going to say. I reached for his shoulder and he stepped away. “You forget what?” I asked.
    “It’s nothing, I am sorry. I don’t know what it is about you, but I am drawn to you. I have never felt this way before. I can’t even put it into words.” He sat down on the floor and leaned back against a shelf.  
    I couldn’t believe what this gorgeous man was telling me. I sat down across from him and reached for his hand like he had done several times with me. “I feel the same way about you, if it makes you feel any better? Or worse?” I trailed off.  
    He looked over at me with sadness in his eyes. I felt like there was something more, but he said nothing. He took his hand out of mine and reached for me; pulling me into his lap. He wrapped his arms around me, and I rested my head against