want to take any chances.
“Don’t leave.” My voice sounded desperate even to my own ears. “Not yet.”
She turned around slowly and her eyes found mine. I knew she couldn’t see me clearly because I was still hidden in the shadows. Taking a few steps in her direction, I could tell right away I made her feel anxious. She took a step back and held both hands in front of her as a shield.
“Stop! Don’t come any closer.” Her voice was even, but I could hear the trace of panic hidden within it. I frightened her. Fuck... I didn’t mean to . “W-what do you want?”
Trying to reassure her that I meant her no harm, I put my hands in front of me and said, “It’s okay. I work here. I help Bennie out. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Why did you keep staring at me?”
“Because you’re beautiful,” I said softly and immediately squeezed my eyes closed and winced, realizing I had said those words louder than I had intended. I didn’t mean for her to hear me. Shit!
When I chanced a glimpse in her direction again, it became all too clear I hadn’t helped the situation at all. Fuck.
Anxiety rolled off her body in waves. I hated seeing how uncomfortable I made her. I think part of it was because she still couldn’t see me. I remained hidden where the light didn’t reach.
But I could see her. She had a small nose and those green eyes – I could look at them for days. Her pink lips were full and plump. I wanted to keep her engaged in conversation for the sake of watching them move. Her face was tanned, albeit a little flushed. She also looked tired, and that brought me to the question of why was she here. Who was the one she wanted to bring light back to? And why did the thought that it might be a boyfriend make me want to break something?
What was wrong with me?
I needed to ask her. I needed the answer like I needed my next breath. “Why are you here, Aria?”
It was the first time I said her name out loud and fuck… I wanted to keep saying it for as long as I could get away with it.
B ecause you’re beautiful.
The way he said that, his deep voice whispering with such conviction... he sent a shiver down my spine, making my whole body tremble. He frightened me and fascinated me all at once.And if what Mary said was true, he was fucked up six ways from Sunday. I shouldn’t bother. I should run. God, I needed to run…but I was rooted in place. His voice sounded so… sad. I had no choice but to stay.
“Why should I tell you something so personal about myself when all you do is hide?”
His whole body stiffened and his hands fisted at his sides. I stood straighter and avoided his eyes, feeling regretful.
Clearing my throat, I said, “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for…” I trailed off, unsure what to say. “It was nice meeting you.” Turning away, I moved towards the door once more, hoping I could forget this day ever happened.
I felt him closing in, and I walked faster. I didn’t want to face him. Not now, not ever.
Grabbing my left arm, he turned me around. I gasped in surprise and my heart thudded erratically. He sucked in a breath and tensed. His fingertips opened and closed several times while his breathing grew harsher. It felt like he was having an inner battle. After long heartbeats and breaths, he tightened his grip and pulled me even closer to him.
I was afraid to look in eyes, afraid what I might see.
He leaned in, his stubble poking my cheek and whispered, “Look at me and you’ll understand why I hide.”
His hot breath caressed my skin as I lifted my head slowly, biting my lower lip hard in the process. My eyes landed on his long disheveled black hair that reached his neck and covered one eye. I lowered my gaze, skirting his high cheekbones and lips that were full and soft. Then I saw it. A large, angry scar starting from his upper lip and curved down until it reached the end of his chin. I thought he was beautiful, even with the scar.
“I looked,” I
“Don’t leave.” My voice sounded desperate even to my own ears. “Not yet.”
She turned around slowly and her eyes found mine. I knew she couldn’t see me clearly because I was still hidden in the shadows. Taking a few steps in her direction, I could tell right away I made her feel anxious. She took a step back and held both hands in front of her as a shield.
“Stop! Don’t come any closer.” Her voice was even, but I could hear the trace of panic hidden within it. I frightened her. Fuck... I didn’t mean to . “W-what do you want?”
Trying to reassure her that I meant her no harm, I put my hands in front of me and said, “It’s okay. I work here. I help Bennie out. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Why did you keep staring at me?”
“Because you’re beautiful,” I said softly and immediately squeezed my eyes closed and winced, realizing I had said those words louder than I had intended. I didn’t mean for her to hear me. Shit!
When I chanced a glimpse in her direction again, it became all too clear I hadn’t helped the situation at all. Fuck.
Anxiety rolled off her body in waves. I hated seeing how uncomfortable I made her. I think part of it was because she still couldn’t see me. I remained hidden where the light didn’t reach.
But I could see her. She had a small nose and those green eyes – I could look at them for days. Her pink lips were full and plump. I wanted to keep her engaged in conversation for the sake of watching them move. Her face was tanned, albeit a little flushed. She also looked tired, and that brought me to the question of why was she here. Who was the one she wanted to bring light back to? And why did the thought that it might be a boyfriend make me want to break something?
What was wrong with me?
I needed to ask her. I needed the answer like I needed my next breath. “Why are you here, Aria?”
It was the first time I said her name out loud and fuck… I wanted to keep saying it for as long as I could get away with it.
B ecause you’re beautiful.
The way he said that, his deep voice whispering with such conviction... he sent a shiver down my spine, making my whole body tremble. He frightened me and fascinated me all at once.And if what Mary said was true, he was fucked up six ways from Sunday. I shouldn’t bother. I should run. God, I needed to run…but I was rooted in place. His voice sounded so… sad. I had no choice but to stay.
“Why should I tell you something so personal about myself when all you do is hide?”
His whole body stiffened and his hands fisted at his sides. I stood straighter and avoided his eyes, feeling regretful.
Clearing my throat, I said, “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for…” I trailed off, unsure what to say. “It was nice meeting you.” Turning away, I moved towards the door once more, hoping I could forget this day ever happened.
I felt him closing in, and I walked faster. I didn’t want to face him. Not now, not ever.
Grabbing my left arm, he turned me around. I gasped in surprise and my heart thudded erratically. He sucked in a breath and tensed. His fingertips opened and closed several times while his breathing grew harsher. It felt like he was having an inner battle. After long heartbeats and breaths, he tightened his grip and pulled me even closer to him.
I was afraid to look in eyes, afraid what I might see.
He leaned in, his stubble poking my cheek and whispered, “Look at me and you’ll understand why I hide.”
His hot breath caressed my skin as I lifted my head slowly, biting my lower lip hard in the process. My eyes landed on his long disheveled black hair that reached his neck and covered one eye. I lowered my gaze, skirting his high cheekbones and lips that were full and soft. Then I saw it. A large, angry scar starting from his upper lip and curved down until it reached the end of his chin. I thought he was beautiful, even with the scar.
“I looked,” I
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