Chapter 89: Don’t Leave
(Arata)
My heart forgot to beat at his words. Did he really mean that?
Or was he just trying to make me feel better and forget the emotional turmoil I was facing?
I could never tell with this man.
Whatever it was, my tears did cease and I tried to genuinely smile.
"Not everyone seems to believe that," I quietly said and leaned back into the sofa. Karsten’s arm was behind me; it clutched mine, letting me feel his warmth.
He emitted heat like a heater but I didn’t mind. My turmoiled heart needed it; the feathery brush of his fingers against my arm had a lullaby-like effect.
Bringing my legs up I pulled them closer to my chest while Karsten had his long ones spread out. It seemed to be becoming a norm to sit like this on my sofa.
My greedy heart was bringing down all its defences and just sponging the care and affection he offered in those moments. I was still lost in the feeling of his soothing touch when he asked.
"Did you eat something?"
I shook my head. We had brought food on the way back, but now all my appetite was gone, and even the thought of food made me want to retch.