turn bad, you have to let me go. Don't be a hero. Don't try to save me. Don't try to fight Jim. Just let me go."
My joy evaporates. I don't like the sound of that. Not at all. The more time I spend with her, the more I don't want to let her go. But if that's her condition for staying, then I'll have to agree to it. I just have to hope that things won't come to that, or that if they do, I can be strong enough to protect her. The only reason she doesn't want me to be a hero is because she doesn't think I can pull it off. But if I can, then she'll be safe.
"Okay," I answer.
"Promise?"
I let out a breath. "If I know I can't protect you, I promise I'll let you go."
Triss says nothing as she drills me with her gaze. What? Was what I said not enough? Then finally, she lies down.
"Okay."
So she's staying? I could almost kiss her. I want to kiss her, I realize as I stare at her full lips. They're slightly parted, a strand of auburn hair caught in the corner. Not just that. I want to climb on top of her, pin her wrists above her, lift her long denim skirt up to her waist and bury myself inside her right here and now. Over and over.
The realization takes me by surprise. When did I become such a lust-driven savage?
Triss turns her head to meet my gaze. I look away.
"Why are you staring at me?" she asks. "I don't have dirt on my face, do I?"
"No."
"Then what? Do I have a bug in my hair?"
"No," I answer, looking just to make sure.
She sits up and does the same. I frown.
"You know I would have told you if there was."
"Then why were you staring at me?" Triss demands.
"No reason," I answer.
She pouts. "Oh, really?"
She gets up and tries to push me into the water but I dodge. She falls into the pond instead. It's shallow, so she doesn't go under, but she's drenched from head to toe. She crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me as water from her hair trickles down her face.
Uh-oh. I've really made her mad now.
"Here." I offer her my hand. "Let me help - "
The next thing I know I'm falling into the pond. I manage to turn so that I don't fall into the water face first, but I still make a splash. Like Triss, I end up drenched all the way to my underwear.
Well, I guess I needed a splash of cold water anyway.
"Still think I need help?" Triss gives me a mischievous grin.
She wants to play, does she?
"Oh, you will..." I give her my own sly smile. "When I'm done with you."
I scoop water in my hands and splash it on her face. She wipes it off.
"Why, you..."
In the next instant, water splashes on me. I retaliate. At first, Triss curses, but then she screams and laughs. I, too, find myself laughing.
I may not remember any fun memories from my past, but this right here - I don't think I'll ever forget it.
~
"Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?" I ask Triss as I glance towards the back seat of the truck after parking it in the driveway.
"I don't think so," she answers as she steps out of the vehicle. "I..."
She stops talking suddenly and as I look forward, I realize why. There's a dark-haired woman standing on the front porch of the house in a pink dress and black stockings. A purple scarf wraps around her neck. I recognize it all too well.
"Maggie," I greet her after getting out of the truck. "Didn't anyone tell you not to wear a scarf in summer?"
"Since when have I ever done what other people tell me to?" she replies as she walks towards me. "Besides, this isn't that thick and I happen to like the style. The person who gave it to me has excellent fashion sense."
She means me. Excellent fashion sense? I doubt that. I just picked it because I know she likes purple.
She wraps her arms around me in a hug. "How are you?"
"Good." I pat her back before pulling away.
"I heard Otto roughed you up at Paul's wedding." She checks my face.
"You mean the wedding you didn't attend?"
"I didn't because I couldn't. I had a report to finish. Didn't Ned tell you?"
"He did," I answer. "Too bad you missed it."
"The wedding or Otto beating you