In the Dark by Lila Rose Read Online Free PDF Page A

felt in his; the warmth and tenderness gave me… emotions I wasn't used to feeling.
    Emotions that scared me.
    Just friends, just friends.
    "I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable," he uttered. "It's only that I wish you wouldn't look away. I like your eyes, Leila. My father once told me that if you refused to meet someone's gaze, they would think they're superior to you, they would see you fear them. I don't believe that with you."
    "Look. It's nothing." I clenched my hands into fists.
    All of it was alien to me. I didn't know how to act or what to say. God, even how to look. I was used to averting my unwanted gaze because of the way it made people feel. And now… now I had someone telling me it was a sign of weakness.
    I couldn't let it continue.
    It wasn't in my nature.
    After a deep breath, I looked up to meet Isaac's gaze.
    His smile and the look of pride in his eyes gave me more confidence. And sent my heart into hyper-drive.
    Stupid hormones.
    He reached out and ran the back of his hand slowly down my cheek. "Perfect."
    Biting my bottom lip to stop the moan wanting to escape from his touch, I shrugged, as if his compliment was something I heard every day. Acting like it was nothing, when it was the total opposite. His comment… I wished I could bottle it and take it with me everywhere I went just so I could listen to it over and over.
    Oh, hell. I wanted to look away. I had to fight with myself to keep my eyes on his. To me, it was natural to avert my unwanted gaze.
    A pain in my chest started.
    Was I about to have a panic attack?
    "Would you mind if I used your telephone to call my father to collect me?" Isaac asked, as if he had sensed my inner turmoil.I sent him a small smile of appreciation, a change of subject was just what I needed.
    "Do you always talk so proper?" I teased.
    "Do you not like it?" he said, laying it on thicker.
    I rolled my eyes. "It doesn't matter whether I like it or not. Friends don't judge each other."
    "Too right, or else I would have said something a long time ago about your slang."
    Gently, I punched him in the arm.
    Or did that class as flirting? I didn't want to flirt with my only friend and stuff things up. It could chase him away and I'd never… Bugger it all, I knew nothing about flirting, so I would act how I'd usually act and be myself. Isaac could either take it or leave it.
    Therefore, I sat up straight with my hands folded in my lap, and in my best posh voice, I said, "Please, feel free to use the telephone, Isaac Grey." I smiled and asked, "Is that better?"
    He raised his eyebrows. "No." He smiled and shook his head. "It's not you."
    "I know, right?" I nodded.
    "Pardon?" he smirked.
    With a roll of my eyes, I ordered,"Just go and call your dad, wise guy."
    He went to the kitchen and used the phone near the living room. It was times like these I was glad I was different.
    Glad I had great hearing.
    "Father."
    "Isaac, where have you been, son?"
    "At a friend's house. Would you be able to come and get me?"
    "I'll have your brother do it. Sorry, my boy, but I'm a little busy at the moment."
    Isaac has a brother? I never knew. He passed my address on and said goodbye. Before he could come and sit back down, I stood and walked into the kitchen.
    "I should've asked if you wanted something to eat. I'm starved. I didn't realise it was so late. What can I get you? Do you have time for something? How far away do you live?"
    Pausing my search in the freezer and fridge, I glanced over my shoulder at his amused expression.
    It was strange how easily I was finding it to meet his gaze. I was in awe of Isaac because he made me feel so comfortable, I could be myself around him.
    "It's fine. I'm not hungry, and we live on the other side of town. On a property like this actually, and feel free to eat something yourself. Shouldn't your parents be home soon?"
    "Worried you might run into them?" I asked while getting out my usual dinner, a microwave meal. Tonight, chicken stir-fry. Yum.