Safe in his arms

  "If I can't have you my love... I'll destroy you."
Barnabas looked serious and pulled back, leaving quickly.
Angelique blinked and looked around her destroyed office. Everything around her now witnessed that Barnabas still felt something for her. If not love, then at least desire. And Angelique if someone knew that desire was one of the most powerful things in world.
 She touched her lips and recalled memories of what was just happened.
Yes, she did love every passing minute when Barnabas was in her office with her, but she still missed something more. She wanted to feel that gentle warmth of his embrace like he used to hold her in his arms. She wanted to have that silent, peaceful moment to just stop and relax against his chest, where she was safe and cared.
  Without noticing, she fell into her own memories.

 ... Angelique was polishing silver forks, knifes and spoons in kitchen very late one night. She had been working all day without any break, and she was looking forward to get into her room, change nicer clothes and go to sleep.
 "Bouchard!" She heard old Johnson calling her.
She sighed, "Yes? I'm still here."
Johnson came to kitchen, "Still polishing?"
"What it looks like? Are you blind already?"
"Shut your mouth Bouchard!" Johnson hissed, taking hold of her hair.
Angelique tried to make him let go and accidentally drop few spoons to the floor.
"Now you have to wash them again. And make sure this kitchen is perfectly cleaned when-"
"Hands off of her Johnson." Calm voice came from doorway.
Johnson looked over his shoulder and quickly let go of Angelique.
"Master Barnabas, I swear I-"
"Enough Johnson." Barnabas said. He was perfectly calm, very business like but still clearly unpleased with what he had just seen.
He turned to look at Angelique who was now trying to gather all she had dropped.
"Miss Bouchard, you may leave this duty to Mr.Johnson. I am in need of your services."
Angelique looked up to him, "I... Master Barnabas, with all respect, I promised you father-"
"I know." Barnabas nodded shortly, "I have spoken to him. You are commanded to come with me."
"Of course... As you wish"
Barnabas looked at the old man, "You finish work here."
Angelique hold back her laughter when she looked at Johnsons expression as Barnabas lead her out of the room.
 When they got to Barnabas's room, Angelique couldn't help but laugh softly for what just happened. Though she quickly covered her mouth and calmed down.
Barnabas smiled to her, "I missed your laughter."
Angelique felt her cheeks blushing slightly and looked down. "I have missed you."
Barnabas came to her and placed his finger under her chin, making her look up into his eyes. "I have been terribly busy lately, but I am never too busy so I would not think of you."
Angelique's heart started beat faster. This was one of those moments when she got totally fascinated by him, unable to resist his charms and she simply fell in love with him even more.
Barnabas could easily see through her in these kind of situations. Her heart was melted so easily for him. He smiled and pulled her closer, studying her eyes.
"You must be exhausted." He said.
"No... Not really."
"Angelique... Your eyes can hardly stay open. You must relax, sleep well through the night."
"But I-"
"Shh, my dearest. We need no words. Only each other."
Angelique smiled and nodded.
They undressed and lay down on Barnabas's bed.
Angelique loved to sleep in his room, besides that he was there with her, his bed was softer than hers, and room much warmer. She felt his arm embracing her against his chest. She snuggle against him and fell asleep.
   They were not slept long when Barnabas woke up for her restless moves and voiceless cries. He gently placed his hand to her cheek, caressing her face.
"Angelique... Open your eyes. It is only a dream. Wake up my dear."
She suddenly sit up, looking around. "Where is it?"
"Where is what? Angelique you were dreaming... Come here." Barnabas answered pulling her back lay down and hold her in his arms.
He kissed her forehead and waited for while so she calmed down.
"What was this terrible dream about?"
"Just nasty memory... Nothing else"
"About what?"
"About time when we were much younger."
"It must have been very terrible for you."
"Yes... "
Feeling a tear dropping on his chest, he hold her bit tighter and whispered to her ear: "Speak to me my dearest. I shall make those awful memories leave you be."
Angelique's whole body was shaking now, tears fall from her eyes like waterfall as she told her childhood terrors to him. How her brother was kidnapped, how her father was killed, how her mother ended up selling her to Collins family.
  Barnabas didn't loosen his hold of her even once. He hold her against his chest, letting her cry her pain out.
 "What has happened, has made you who you are Angelique. None of those terrible things should not have happen to you. You deserved better, but you still survived. And what a wonderful woman you have become. You are like a angel. Strong and beautiful."
They didn't sleep anymore but only hold each other, gently whispering loving words to each other. Still Angelique could recall that when su rise and they got up, they both were as happy as they could....

  Standing up from couch, Angelique took her jacket and left back home, leaving the office to cleaners to worry about. She took small mirror from her pocket and checked was her make-up alright, wiping one little tear from her cheek. She tried to smile to herself but put quickly the mirror back to her pocket when it was proven to be too hard right now and left to her car.