Chapter 3
“Thank you,” Celise said. “That was all I needed to hear.”
Wind watched her return to the armchair and pick up the bag before throwing it over her shoulder. With fast and upset steps, she headed for the door.
He gazed at Diane. His hands began to tremble as fear filled him. It looked like he wouldn’t have a relationship with Celise after all. She’d left the room and was leaving, taking his chance for survival with her.
Diane nodded, telling him with unspoken words to go after Celise.
Wind ran after her.
She was almost at her car when he reached her.
“Please, Celise. Wait.”
She ignored him and opened the car door. She threw her bag on the passenger seat.
He grabbed her arm just before she managed to get inside. With a few swift moves, he closed the door, whirled her around to face him, and pushed her against the car, locking her between his arms. Adrenaline pumped in his body, making him breathe heavily.
Wind’s heart clenched from the hurt in her eyes. It was all his doing, but it hadn’t been his intention. He didn’t want to hurt Celise. She was dear to him, but he didn’t want to lie to her either. He didn’t love her. He couldn’t love her. He was bound to Diane. It was impossible for him to feel anything for her but friendship.
But, he needed her. Wind was afraid of what would happen once Diane died, and it was bound to happen, soon. He didn’t want to be taken to MedAct to be bound to a stranger, and he didn’t want to become one of the Fighters. He somehow had to convince Celise that she was his best option.
The thought of becoming hers made him shudder, but he pushed the feeling aside. It was just his bond objecting. It told him Diane was his bound one and he should stay with her. That he, under no circumstances, should deepen his relationship with Celise.
“Please listen to me,” he said. “I understand how you feel. Believe me, I do, but give me a chance. Let me prove to you I can do this.”
Celise snorted. “You’re not doing this because you care about me or because you want to be with me. You’re doing this to save yourself.”
Wind held his breath. She was right, and that hurt. “Then help me get past this.”
They looked at each other in silence.
He placed his hand on her arm. The warmth of her skin grazed his palm.
Wind tried to imagine what it’d be like to touch her, to caress her the way he’d caressed Diane so many times. He imagined Celise naked in his bed with passion in her eyes. Saw himself leaning over her, his hands exploring her body, but as soon as the image entered his mind, his bond went crazy.
His stomach twisted, nausea washed over him. Wind groaned and backed away. For a split second, he almost threw up.
Surprise filled him. He’d never expected the bond to react like that from a simple thought. He’d never thought of another woman in an intimate way before. Never been interested, never needed to, but realization swept over him. To become Celise’s would be more difficult than he’d ever anticipated.
He’d deal with it. Had no choice.
But first, he had to convince her.
Thankfully, the nausea lasted only for a short while. Wind exhaled and straightened as the agony faded. He raised his gaze and looked right in the eyes of a worried Celise.
She seemed just as surprised by his reaction as he was.
“What just happened?” she asked with wide eyes.
Wind cleared his throat. “I ... um ... thought about you, and my bond didn’t like it.”
Celise blinked, her eyes going slightly wider. “You mean, you imagined us—”A blush decorated her sweet cheeks.
His lips twitched. He liked that color on her. “Yes, I did. It was just a simple thought of you naked in my arms, and my bond instantly protested.”
She remained quiet for a few seconds, studying him. “I’ve never seen a cyborg react like this before.”
“That’s probably because cyborgs never imagine other women in their arms. The few times I’ve kissed you on the cheek was never an intimate act.” He took a deep breath.
She crossed her arms. “So how exactly are you expecting this to work?”
Wind tensed. “I don’t know.”
Celise sighed and lowered her head. “I love you too much to let you die, you know that, don’t you?”
He nodded, not sure where she was going with this.
“But you’re choosing me for the wrong reason, Wind. What if MedAct can find you a better bound one? Hasn’t that thought crossed your mind? We’re nothing alike. I’m nothing like Diane.” She shut her eyes. “Would you even be happy with me?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
She looked like she needed a hug, but she also needed someone who listened and understood. She needed him to be that person, but he couldn’t.
Just the thought of Diane in his arms made his body respond. He’d always been there for her and she’d always been there for him. He doubted he’d ever have anything like that with Celise. With her, he expected complications, and yet, he was willing to give it a chance. “Don’t give up on me. I might not have answers now, and I have no idea how to proceed, but I want to try. I want to try with you.”
She scowled. “To live, not to be with me.”
Frustration awakened within him. “I can’t help what I feel. You know how the bond works. You’re asking for the impossible right now, but believe me when I say I care about you. You’re my friend, and yes, we’re different, but we’ve always been able to get along. If you just give us time, I believe we can make this work.” He couldn’t believe he was saying all that when just minutes before she’d arrived, he’d assumed the opposite.
Celise finally looked at him but didn’t say anything.
“Jade Silva is coming by tomorrow. I hope she’ll be able to give us some answers. I’d like you to be there.”
She winced. “Why?”
Wind swallowed. “Because before she leaves, I must tell her how I wish to proceed. My bond must be transferred to someone else before Diane dies. I was hoping to tell Jade you wish to take Diane’s place, but if you won’t, we will go to MedAct, and stay there until the bond is transferred to ... someone.” The thought made him shiver.
Silence lingered between them once more.
He watched her, waiting for her answer. He’d never paid much attention to Celise’s looks before, but he did now even if his bond protested. At least, it wasn’t painful this time, just uncomfortable.
Her light blonde hair was put into a ponytail. Only a few strands hung free, and he liked looking at her sweet and doll-like appearance. Her heart-shaped face and green eyes made him see the innocence she radiated.
If she wanted, she could create a cyborg of her own. She’d passed MedAct’s tests without a fuss, but she’d never applied. Her love for him stood in the way, and Wind suspected she’d only try to create a cyborg just like him, and that wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted him, not a copy of him. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to the newborn cyborg.
“So what do you say, Celise? Will you come by tomorrow at noon?”
She remained silent, and the doubt in her eyes made him tense. For a few short seconds, he held his breath, just waiting for her to say something - anything.
The underlying sadness in her expression showed him the truth.
He was going to lose her too.
“I love you so much it hurts,” Celise finally said, “but I can’t bind you to me and spend the rest of my life knowing you chose me to save yourself, or because you didn’t want to be with a stranger. If you want me to show up tomorrow, I need you to give me something to go on. And I need it now.”
Wind stood stunned. She might as well have asked him to bring down the moon. His mind was blank, but his body acted on its own. His heart pounded when he placed his palms on her cheeks. Her skin was smooth and warm, but the intimate touch made his bond protest anew. It didn’t like what he was planning, but he had to do it. Had to make Celise understand he could see beyond the bond.
When she’d kissed him in his study, he hadn’t been prepared, but he was prepared now.
He swallowed and took a step closer. Nausea hit him again and his head begun to spin, but he tried to ignore it.
Celise didn’t move. She just kept watching him. Waiting ... but her hands trembled.
Wind said a silent prayer, hoping his bond would understand. He leaned closer and picked up a gentle scent of vanilla coming from her. It made him smile. Diane used vanilla perfume too sometimes.
He tilted his head, slowly moving into place. Then he pressed his lips against hers.
Celise gasped.
Just like last time, her lips were soft and warm, but this time he noticed she had a tasteless balm on. It didn’t bother him because Diane used that as well. Wind wrapped his arms around her and pressed her closer to his chest.
His breath mingled with hers as he opened her mouth with his, deepening the kiss, but ignoring the growing agony wasn’t easy. His stubbornness kept him from pulling away, despite his bond screaming for him to let go.
She moaned and wrapped her arms around him. Celise responded to his kiss in a way he hadn’t expected. At first, she was stiff, unsure, but it didn’t take long before her hands ended up on his body, caressing him, stroking his hair. It was a passionate whisper of her hunger for him, of the love she’d pushed aside for so many years. It was all coming to the surface, and the further she went, the fiercer the agony became.
When she grabbed the top of his sweatpants, his bond attacked him.
Wind jerked away and let out a scream as his head was filled with sharp agony from every direction. The nausea he’d felt before was nothing compare to now. He doubled over, almost unable to remain standing, but somehow, managed not to fall.
Slowly, the pain subsided.
After almost a minute, he was able to straighten his back and exhale. He felt bruised, exhausted. This wasn’t something he wanted to experience again anytime soon, but something told him it would happen sooner than later.
He met Celise’s glazed eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and passion was written all over her face, but there was guilt as well. She bit her lip and clenched her fists, avoiding his gaze.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Wind took a deep breath, relaxing. “Don’t worry about it.”
She shook her head and grimaced. “I should’ve never asked this of you.”
“You had every right.”
“Are you all right?”
“No, but I’ll be soon. My bond didn’t like me touching you.”
Celise nodded. “I figured, but I’m grateful you did. I don’t know how we’re ever going to do this if kissing me gives you such discomfort.”
Hope awakened within him. “You mean you’re willing to do this?”
“I’m willing to think about it. You gave me what I asked for, even if it hurt you. That says a lot.” She got into her car.
There was nothing more Wind could do to keep her there, but the smile she gave him before she closed the door and drove away kept his optimism alive.