DeadSouls: Awakening by M Damon Baker

Author:M Damon Baker [Baker, M Damon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Still wary as I accompanied her inside, I paused for a moment when we reached the open floor, but Karyina didn’t hesitate to take hold of my arm. Gingerly draping my hand around her waist, I was careful to avoid placing my fingers anywhere near the tiny sliver of exposed skin on her side. Thoroughly amused by my obvious reluctance, Karyina smirked, effortlessly following along as I guided her through the opening maneuvers of a simple four-step dance. Despite my attempted restraint, Karyina’s warmth permeated the smooth silk, and the sheer fabric slid over her body like a second skin, pulling my hand over the gentle curves of her hip with every subtle motion. Ignoring the incredible awkwardness of the situation, I picked up the pace to match the tempo of the subsequent song—even adding a few tiny flourishes here and there— yet Karyina didn’t miss a single beat as she matched me step-for-step.

“I’m not teaching you a damn thing,” I remarked when the music faded away and the band paused for a break.

“Let’s find somewhere to talk,” she replied, taking advantage of our proximity to wind her left arm around my elbow.

Working our way around the other guests, Karyina shepherded me to a vacant table tucked away in a dimly lit corner. Taking a cue from the change in her demeanor, I pulled out a chair, offering Karyina a seat before finding one myself. Shifting from side to side, she faltered, her confidence visibly waning at the pivotal moment.

“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?” Karyina muttered, her stare firmly pinned to the stark, white tablecloth.

A glint of understanding finally dawned on me while her typically steadfast exterior crumbled away before my eyes, leaving behind an almost unfamiliar woman filled with hesitancy and doubt. Even though she averted her gaze, I saw the reflection of something I recognized in Karyina’s eyes, a feeling we shared, although its origins were nearly the polar opposites of each other. I’d come to care for and then love Karyina, even if it was from a distance, but my overwhelming sense of guilt forced me to bury those emotions deep inside, concerned that letting them out would only magnify the mistakes I’d already made. Much to my surprise, Amanda had been correct. Karyina shared at least a portion of those feelings, but she was obviously struggling to reconcile them with the loathing and resentment she’d been harboring for so long.

Reaching out with one arm, I offered my hand instead. “The words don’t really matter.”

Karyina said nothing as she laced her fingers between mine, the silence only lending an even greater significance to the simple gesture. Several heartbeats passed before she looked up again, glancing at me with an expression I never thought I’d see in her eyes—not quite love or even devotion, but something very close.

Karyina’s voice dropped into an almost imploring whisper. “We have to take this slowly. I barely know who I am sometimes, let alone what I really want.

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