AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Because you're creeping around and scaring the heck out of me," I snap, glaring at him. "Look, I'm not sure how you know my name or what you're playing at, but this is messed up. You're messed up."
"Oh, angel, you know no idea how messed up I really am.” He leans in, invading my space, and I swear I can feel his body heat. “I'm also a man—a man who is deeply, irrevocably attracted to you.”
I stare at him. He stares back, his gaze unflinching and sincere. Flustered and not sure what else to do, I sigh, pick up my mug, and drink my tea like I've been told. Satisfied, the stranger crosses his arms and leans against the counter, watching me.
"Finish that and I'll give you something despite my better judgment."
"I don't want anything," I mumble, and he laughs darkly.
The tone in his voice has me shivering. I'm torn because I should be scared, but I'm not. If he wanted to hurt me, he would have by now. Slowly, I finish the tea and set the cup down. I don't know if it's the drop-off after the adrenaline rush or the tea itself, but I do feel more relaxed.
Unthinking, I take the honey-coated spoon and slip it into my mouth.
"Good girl."
I pull the utensil out and open my mouth to speak. The words die in my throat as I realize his gaze has dipped down, and his eyes focus on the motion of my lips, his expression darkening. I can feel a single sticky drop on my bottom lip,
"Here, let me."
In a second, he rounds the counter. He's in my space once more, and I'm frozen, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. His thumb brushes over my lip, wiping away a stray dollop of honey, and then he slides it into his mouth and sucks.
"Sweet," he murmurs.
"Who are you?" My voice shakes as I ask the question for what feels like the millionth time, and so are my hands.
He hesitates, his eyes never leaving my face. Then, slowly, his head dips, and his lips graze over mine. A bolt of heat spears through me, and I gasp.
His tongue is hot and aggressive, tangling with mine. I open up, letting him claim me, and the whole world dissolves. All there is, is the feel of his hands in my hair, his lips on mine.
It feels so good. So right, and I know that I shouldn't be doing this. I don't even know his name.
But the attraction, the chemistry is too powerful. It's pulling me under, and I'm drowning. My hands grip his shirt, and I press myself against his broad chest, craving the feeling of his body against mine. And in that moment, the realization hits me. I'm not afraid of this man. I'm not even afraid of the fact that he's clearly obsessed with me. What I'm afraid of is missing out on this. Whatever this is.
I can't think. Can't reason. All I know is that this feels good. Too good, and as he deepens the kiss, his hands are everywhere. Then, as quickly as it began, he pulls away, looking like it's taken all his willpower to do so.
"Let me get you home." He takes a step back, his breath ragged, and his eyes burning. I'm shaking, the desire and the confusion too much, and he sighs, taking my hand. "You're not ready for this, but you will be."
Gingerly, I touch my tingling lips. "Ready for what?"
He just smiles and leads me out of the cafe. "Where is your car, angel?"
"Still parked behind the theater."
"Good." He squeezes my hand. "I'll drive you."
We get into his car, and the silence between us is heavy. He drives with one hand, the other still holding mine. We don't speak, but his touch is gentle and reassuring, and the ride goes by quickly.
“I have to ask, Alina. Where did you come from?”
His deep voice rumbling in the dark of the car catches me off guard. “I, um, I’m new in town.”
He flexes his hands on the steering wheel. “You move here alone?”
“Yes and no.” I don’t even know why I’m telling him all of this, but the words keep coming. “I don’t have any family left back in Indiana where I lived before, so I came to stay with my dad.”
I see the dark stranger stiffen in his seat. “Your dad lives with you?”
Don’t say anything! the more logical part of me screams, but still I keep talking. “Yes, but he’s … Well, he’s not in town. I barely know him, really. He left when I was five.”
