A Love as Restless as the Wind novel

---- Chapter 15 Tessa watched in alarm as Munchie, the mischievous kitten, knocked over a bucket of paint. She quickly scooped the kitten up and gave its head a gentle bop with a soft, mock fist. She said, "You're disrupting the great artist's creativity!" Munchie let out a defiant meow, and just like that, the two were bickering like old friends. Edison set down his brush and watched them, a tender smile playing at the corners of his lips.

The once quiet and empty studio was suddenly filled with life. Tessa placed Munchie outside the studio door and let out a long breath before crouching down to organize the scattered buckets of paint. "T've got it," Edison said, kneeling down beside her to help. Suddenly, both of their hands landed on the same paint bucket. Tessa's face flushed red instantly. She pulled her hand back quickly, but his long, slender fingers pressed down on hers before she could move.

Years of painting had left a fine callus on Edison's fingertips , and she could feel every ridge as they pressed against her wrist. ---- "E-Edison..."' she stammered . She tried to yank her hand away, but he suddenly tightened his grip, interlocking their fingers in one fluid, unyielding motion. "You-" She flinched, startled, only to be pulled directly into his arms. The paints they'd just finished sorting scattered across the floor with a loud clatter.

"Don't move," he whispered, burying his face into the crook of her neck. His warm breath against her skin made her shiver. Their chests were pressed tightly together , and they could feel each other's racing heartbeat like a drumbeat echoing between them. "Edison, what are you doing?" "Tessa... After all this time, do you still not understand how I feel about you?" He nuzzled against her neck like a cat, leaving his scent behind.

nyo "Don't give me that line about how you've been divorced," he cut her off, suddenly lifting her to straddle his lap. His hair brushed her ear, making her squirm from the tickling sensation. "You've said that to me numerous times since you moved in. Is that your way of trying to push me away? ---- " He bit her shoulder lightly , like he was letting out his frustration. "You know I'm not giving up. You've fallen for me, too, haven't you?" "Edison...

Love isn't a game..." She bit her lip and hesitated for a long moment before continuing, "I've been hurt before. That's the only reason I understand this now. I don't want to end up hurting you too..." "You won't," he said firmly. "You won't hurt me." "Edison..." "Tessa, can't you accept me?" He suddenly let go, and those earnest eyes of his met hers head-on.

"You know, some people say that they want to 'take in a stray cat', but then when the cat actually shows up, they don't want it anymore..." For a second, she could almost see a pair of pointed ears poking out from his hair, drooping in disappointment. "Some people barge into your life like they belong there, but then act like leaving is no big deal..." His voice was heavy with emotion, and his hand slowly started to slip away from hers. "I bet you'll say you're moving out tomorrow. Even if I show up at the cafe, you'll pretend not to see me, like I'm just air." Edison's voice dropped lower as he started to push