Forbidden Territories

Chapter 26: Shameless

I held my breath as I stared at the text message. Perhaps I wouldn't find as much threat in the written words if the sender wasn't Tyler. I wasn't sure what happened nor why no one else seemed to know if he had done something to me, but I couldn't shake the eerie feeling each time he was near. 

My heart began to pound against my chest and the calmness that enveloped me only minutes earlier was long gone. 

I debated whether to mention it to Zach — I hadn't even told him about the kiss — and I didn't want to make a bigger deal out of something before I was completely sure what was going on. 

It was nearly 1 in the morning by then and I doubted anyone in their right mind would try to hunt me down. 

I repeated that in my head a few more times and tucked my phone away again before Zach returned into the living room. He was holding two tumblers, filled about a third with a golden liquid. 

"Whiskey?" he asked with a smile on his face as he took a seat next to me and I gratefully nodded my head. 

It's been a while since I last drank and I missed the burning sensation down my throat. So, I extended my hand and took the glass from him. 

"Thanks," I said and brought the rim to my lips to take a sip. 

The first sip was always the worst one. After that one, I emptied the glass in a matter of seconds. I scrunched up my face and shook my head slightly, causing Zach to chuckle. 

Playfully, he narrowed his eyes at me. "Pussy," he whispered. 

"Bite your tongue!" I laughed and rolled my eyes. 

Still chuckling, Zach finished his drink soon after me and looked away — but I still saw the face he made and attempted to conceal. 

I jumped up to my feet and pointed my forefinger at him. 

"Ha! Who's a pussy now?" 

A grin spread across my face, his mismatched eyes darting in my direction. He slowly rose his eyebrows. 

"I'm sorry, what?" he asked as if he didn't hear me. 

"I said..." I paused, dramatically before declaring: "Pussy." 

Zach slowly got up from the couch and inched towards me. "Take that back," he demanded, playfulness coating his voice. 

I folded my arms over my chest, smirking and defiantly shaking my head. 

"Or what?" I challenged him.

His movements were slow, calculated. As if a hunter tracking his prey. 

I swallowed down the chortle that threatened to escape my lips as I took a step back. His body moved when mine did, following me. 

His irises lit up and before I knew it, his arms were around me, capturing me in their grip and throwing me over his shoulder. I laughed out loud as I dangled down his back, my feet kicking the air. 

"Zachary!" I exclaimed through tears from the laughter. 

I reached my hand out and smacked his behind while he marched towards his bedroom. 

"Shh, keep it down, it's late," he scolded me. 

"I don't give a fuck! Put me down!" I squealed in return but was unable to sound as serious as I wanted to — all for the sake of the game. 

A few steps further and he tossed me onto the mattress of his bed. I looked up at him, quiet giggles still causing me to tremble. 

The light from the living room breaking through the open door was enough to light up the side of his body. I saw the grin on his face as he stared down at me.