The flames in the hearth died down as he put in another log, the flames licked at it tenderly as if testing the bouquet. With confirmation made in whatever way flames made such decisions the light came back stronger. Patrick might have known the answer of heat, and fuel suitable for burning. He perhaps understood the need for air, if not oxygen itself but truth told he didn?t think about it at all. He sat in that comfortable leather chair with his feet propped up. The chair wasn?t the only comfort in the room, but it was sparsely decorated.
Patrick?s elbow was pressed into the plush arm, head tilted to the side as three fingers stroked his lips. Normally they were sensitive to the touch, but his buzz had those lips near numb. The flames held his bleary eyes; he pushed himself deep into them. The faint crackles were not enough to drive out the silence of the house, and the flickers of the hearth only served to remind him of a certain red head.
He had hurt the man tonight, so why didn?t he feel satisfied? It was her again?it always seemed to be her. How long had he been fixated this way? He didn?t know, though he could see the beginnings when her ex-fianc? Riley McClancy had left her alone and damaged. Patrick gave a snort at the thought, that was a long time ago which brought the question why had he done nothing until now? He had told her there was supposed to be more time, but if that were so would he have bothered at all?
Patrick jerked his head eyes closing against the last question. Those three fingers scrubbed at the white silver beard. Slurred words found their way to his lips. ?Known all?long she?deserved better?n me?tha?swhy. Jus?tain? thinkin she found it.? She had been so happy before, so in love to be crushed like beer nut and cast away with the shell. Fingers on both hands clenched into fists, teeth clenched as he swallowed. He wasn?t going to watch her go through that again, through years of anger and mistrust. She was prickly now, back then she was unapproachable. The man who did that deserved what would come his way. Perhaps it was time he understood that. The grate went up over the fireplace as Patrick prepared to leave. He took his heavy cloak and considered the weapons in their racks. Somewhere in that haze he knew he wouldn?t be able to handle either properly flailed a hand at them and walked out the door.
His steps put him on a path toward the docks. If he knew anything it would be where to find the man he was looking for?eventually.
Patrick?s elbow was pressed into the plush arm, head tilted to the side as three fingers stroked his lips. Normally they were sensitive to the touch, but his buzz had those lips near numb. The flames held his bleary eyes; he pushed himself deep into them. The faint crackles were not enough to drive out the silence of the house, and the flickers of the hearth only served to remind him of a certain red head.
He had hurt the man tonight, so why didn?t he feel satisfied? It was her again?it always seemed to be her. How long had he been fixated this way? He didn?t know, though he could see the beginnings when her ex-fianc? Riley McClancy had left her alone and damaged. Patrick gave a snort at the thought, that was a long time ago which brought the question why had he done nothing until now? He had told her there was supposed to be more time, but if that were so would he have bothered at all?
Patrick jerked his head eyes closing against the last question. Those three fingers scrubbed at the white silver beard. Slurred words found their way to his lips. ?Known all?long she?deserved better?n me?tha?swhy. Jus?tain? thinkin she found it.? She had been so happy before, so in love to be crushed like beer nut and cast away with the shell. Fingers on both hands clenched into fists, teeth clenched as he swallowed. He wasn?t going to watch her go through that again, through years of anger and mistrust. She was prickly now, back then she was unapproachable. The man who did that deserved what would come his way. Perhaps it was time he understood that. The grate went up over the fireplace as Patrick prepared to leave. He took his heavy cloak and considered the weapons in their racks. Somewhere in that haze he knew he wouldn?t be able to handle either properly flailed a hand at them and walked out the door.
His steps put him on a path toward the docks. If he knew anything it would be where to find the man he was looking for?eventually.