Game of Desire

Chapter 3 - Lia

Rafe starts toward me, his strides fast and deliberate. I don't even notice that I'm marching backwards until my ass hits the hood of his car. My eyes are still locked on his cold stare and I force myself to snap out of the trance. I whip around and start sprinting for my life. My heart is beating out of my chest. I can hear him hot on my heals as he chases me. I can't think straight. I could have sworn my car was parked closer. Why does it feel forever away? Maybe I should have joined the track team this year, I certainly would be more fit for this type of thing.

His hand catches a grip around my forearm and he yanks me backwards. I let out a yelp, but he just cages me in with his large arms. With my back to his chest, he holds my uselessly weak arms down to my chest.

I'm beyond terrified and try to make a pathetic attempt of telling him, "I didn't see anything! Please let me go! I won't tell a soul!" 

But he just puts his rough hand over my mouth and muffles me. This is it, this is the part where he strangles me and dumps my body like the other guy. I'm next.
I sob into his hand, while I struggle against him, but he's too strong. it's like fighting a brick wall. He places his lips to my ear and I feel his hot breath caress against my skin as he whispers, "Now what am I going to do with you, huh pretty thing?" He slowly rubs his thumb over my cheek. 

You know, when I prayed for my life to get a tad more interesting this year, this wasn't what I meant Universe! I mentally curse out no one in particular, just whoever may be listening. I need to get a hold of myself and think. Calm down Lia! I scold myself in an attempt to get a grip and take a deep breath, inhaling through my nose. I have to think fast or I won't make it out tonight. I stop fighting against Rafe as it's proven to be no help. I can't waste my energy squirming like some worm. 

My wrists ache from how tight he's holding them and thankfully Rafe slowly relaxes his grip on them as he feels me relax into him.

"You have no idea how much trouble you've just caused me..." he growled. "I didn't do anything okay?!" His breath is ragged and I can feel his heart pounding into my back. "I'm cleaning up someone else's mess. Okay, princess?" He explained through gritted teeth. "But you can't tell anyone... You can't tell anyone, you understand?!" He was yelling so close to my ear, I could swear my ear drum was close to bursting. 

"Yes." I choked out the word, but it was no use. With my mouth sealed shut by his hand, it came out undecipherable. I groan with annoyance and he huffs in response.

"I've just been cleared, I can't go back there. I'm not going to jail because of you!" He proclaims, "You have no idea what this is doing to me." 

Rafe uncovers my mouth and I inhale a relieved breath of air. It was becoming hard to breath with my nose being stuffy from crying. He raises his hand next to my right ear and starts to poke my temple.

"It affects me... it affects me right here. You won't understand" He mumbles on. "No one understands."

No wonder Ki told me to stay away from him. Is this guy coked up or just fricking crazy? Well, I'm not gonna wait here any longer to find out. 

In his moment of weakness, with his arm not holding down my right arm now, I send my elbow backwards, slamming it hard into his stomach. Pain shoots through my arm and he lets out a wheezy breath. 

Turning, I send my knee next, straight into his balls. He folds. 

In that second I had the opportunity to make my escape, but I find my feet still planted in the same spot. Instead, I wait for his head to rise and I stand tall, facing him. I will not run, he'll just catch me again. And if he doesn't, he'll just find me. The island isn't big enough to hide from Rafe Cameron, even I know that. If there's anything I've learnt from my phycology class it's that when you run from something, it'll chase you. I have to think three steps ahead or I'll be dogs breakfast. The only way out is to make him believe I'm even crazier than he is. My poker face is set. It's time I learn to master the art of hiding my inner emotion. I'm done allowing people to watch me crumble. This year will be the year of change. 

I have on a mask of confidence that I don't feel inside, but he doesn't know that. All he's gonna ask himself is why I didn't run. He'll either think I'm point blank stupid, or I'll put him on edge. The latter being ideal. 

He's still bent over, holding his crotch when I look him dead in the eyes and say, "Then I guess we're both in this mess together. I was taught that when you're stuck in a hole, it's best to stop digging." 

His hair falls into his eyes and I get a random urge to brush it away. I ignore those intrusive thoughts and continue. 

"If you kill me, you're only digging yourself deeper. It's your choice. You can either take my hand and let me pull you out of the hole or die in it. I'm offering to help dispose the body together. That way you don't have to kill me, because I can't rat you out anyway. If I do, you'll just pull me into the hole with you. I'll be just as guilty as you are." I search for a response in his calculating eyes, but come out dry. 

Instead, I decide for him. "I call the feet." 

Rafe stands up straight now, looking down at me... All of me. I cross my arms over my chest and he smirks. He has the audacity to smirk! 

"What's your name?" He inquires. 

Letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding, I announce, "Citrus." my last name.