Chapter Twelve: Elijah & Colette

I stare at her. The words that just left her mouth replaying in my head. She changed the way she looked, her little disguise, to seem more matched to me for this party. I didn't even want to come to it. But the opportunity to get close to her was too good to pass up.

"We should head back out into the party before someone decides they need the bathroom."

I don't know what else to say. Perhaps a thank you for the extra amount of effort and consideration she put into tonight would have been a good response. She quickly checks herself in the mirror and touches up her lipstick that I had smudged around her lips. Her perfect, plump lips. When were ready, I check the coast is clear before taking her hand, intertwining my fingers with hers and lead her back out to the dancefloor by the pool.

"Let's dance. Maybe after that we can leave."

The tension between us is so thick It could be cut with a knife. I spin her round under my arm as we join the countless other bodies moving on the temporary dance space. Her face almost seems euphoric as she glows with happiness, throwing her head back and singing while her hands lock behind my neck.

"I haven't told you yet. But you look absolutely breathtaking."

"Thank you."

I lifts my arm again, twirling her beneath it.

"Not a single man has taken his eyes off you since we arrived. I'm lucky that I'm the one who gets to hold you like this."

I pull her into me abruptly, her hand landing on my chest as I place mine on the small of her back."Let's grab some pizza after this."

"Pizza?" she raise her brows in surprise.

"Yes. Pizza, back at my place."

I watch her, swallow hard.

"Felix?"

"Yes, Lettie?"

She takes a deep breath, her eyes flickering between my eyes and lips. Before I can make my move, someone bumps into my back, hard, and in a moment that seemed to move slowly, Lettie slips from my arms and plummets straight into the cold water of the swimming pool.

Colette.

I feel weightless, my mind going dark. Something warm presses against my lips. Hot air fills my lungs, then another. My chest gargles. Eyes fly open, I cough, water spewing from my mouth as I'm turned onto my side. I am spluttering, and my vision becomes less blurred. A blanket is placed around me as a familiar voice orders people to stay back.

"Im here Lettie. Look at me."

"Felix," I croak, turning my head to see his face painted with worry. His once perfectly styled hair now dripping wetdown his face. His shirt clings to his chest, outlining every muscle of his hard torso.

"The paramedics are here," another man stands over us, a heavy scowl on his brow.

"I'm fine."

"You were out for two minutes Lettie. You are not fine."

There's shuffling and clanging around me as medics clear the area.

"Sir you need to move back."

The warmth of Felix's arms leaves me as he makes space for a woman in green to check me over.

"Whats your name, lovely?"

I cough to clear my throat.

"Lettie."

"Alright Lettie. We're going to get you into the bed and moved to the ambulance. Your husband can ride with us if you wish."

"Husband?" I say slowly.

She says something about blood as I'm carefully out onto a stretcher, then a trolley.

"I'llfollow up in the car."

"Alison. Call Alison."

"I will." he holds my hand, pulling it gently to his lips and kissing my knuckles. My body relaxes, my lids feeling heavy.

"Stay awake, Lettie."