CHAPTER 46: MEETING HUBBY'S FRIENDS II
After breakfast, Diana retreated to their room to shower and also expecting to find James, but he wasn't there. A pang of disappointment stabbed at her, though she couldn't explain why. "Good thing, he is the last person i want to see" she muttered, the bitterness a mask for the pang of longing. She was expecting him to come find her earlier but he didn't. But why did the thought of him seeking her out spark a flicker of hope?
She dressed quickly after her shower, choosing a pair of jean shorts and a crop top that spoke more of naughtiness than casualness, a stark contrast to her usual office attire. She applied powder to her face and retreated to her office, a nagging hope persisting that James would come seeking her out. It was a silent plea for his presence hovering in the air and in her mind.
Lost in preparations for the "ember months," the approaching fall, and her Monday speech, she barely noticed time slip away. A knock on the door startled her. Before she could respond, it swung open, revealing James. Their eyes met, unspoken emotions crackling between them and a storm brewing beneath the surface.
He swept his gaze over her, lingering a beat too long, scanning her attire. Well she was dressed hot, he thought, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before his gaze snapped back up and regaining his composure, "It's past three" he announced, his voice raspy. We leave in two hours."
Diana's brows shot up. Glancing at her phone, she was shocked to see the time. "I...had no idea," she stammered. "I'll rush and get ready," she said, the words tumbling out.
James remained silent, his expression unreadable. After a beat, he turned to leave, then paused at the doorway. "Diana?"
"Yes" Diana responded when she saw him hesitating.
She looked at him, anticipation warring with apprehension. She was expecting an apology or explanation. But he hesitated, seemed to struggle with words, then finally spoke. "Your clothes arrived. I had the maids sort them into your closet."
A curt nod was her only response.
"Would you like to have lunch with me? Nicodemus and the maids prepared something. He offered to bring it here to you but i asked him to leave it to me. I thought you might prefer we eat together"
Diana's heart ached. Was this his attempt at reconciliation? Or just a show? "I appreciate the thought, but i decline eating lunch with you. I'll eat here alone," she interrupted, her voice firm.
James simply nodded, turning to leave. Then, he stopped, shut the door behind him and walked further into the room, sitting directly on the sofa. "Nicodemus, bring lunch for two upstairs," he instructed on the phone, ignoring Diana's surprised frown.
She watched him settle on the sofa, bewildered by his actions. Had the man gone crazy?. "What do you think you are doing James?" she demanded, her voice tight.
His gaze met hers, a flicker of emotion crossing his face before it shuttered closed. "Just trying to eat with my wife," he replied, his tone devoid of warmth.
"But i just said i did not want to eat with you", Diana protested.
"You did say that, but i didn't. Its you i want to eat with".
Diana exhaled, frustration bubbling. "Suit yourself then."
He sat on the sofa, a dark figure against the bright afternoon.
She went back to her work as James watched her from behind. Why did she look so tempting today or did she do it on purpose? He was finding it very hard to sit still, worst of all he was finding it hard to control himself. Just as he was about to make a move on her, Nicodemus knocked.
"Come in" Diana said from inside the office.
Nicodemus walked in with a few maids carrying their lunch. She made space on her table for them to drop it. The maids and Nicodemus bowed and left. Diana dropped her work and went to sit with him. The meal progressed in tense silence, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife, the distance between them wider than ever.
She shoved the empty plates aside when they were through eating. As she rose to continue working, James's hand shot out, catching her wrist. His grip tightened, pulling her back against his chest. The warmth of his body sent shivers down her spine, a stark contrast to the icy tension in the air.
"Are you avoiding me, wife?" he murmured into her ear, his voice husky with a dangerous edge. The playful bite he nipped at her earlobe sent a jolt through her, both arousal and apprehension warring within.
Diana shivered. The tremor wasn't just from his touch; it was the question, the implication. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.
Diana struggled against his hold, surprised by his sudden strength. "Let me go, James," she demanded, her voice trembling. "I need to finish up my work before we leave."
"Do you really want me to let you go?" His voice was low, a dangerous edge to it.
The question hung heavy, laced with a possessiveness that felt more like a threat than a promise. Diana closed her eyes, battling the conflicting emotions that warred within her.
She swallowed, fear prickling her skin. "If I don't finish my work, we won't be ready to leave." Her voice sounded small, even to her own ears.