spellbound (18+)

Twenty Nine

Michelle drove her new car back to Adrik's house, parking in the garage as he pulled up next to her.

"So?" He asked.

She smiled. "It's nice, Adrik. Thank you."

He nodded back, ushering her inside. He looked her over, his eyes taking in her sullen disposition.

"Don't like the car?" He asked gruffly.

"The car is nice, Adrik. Thank you."

He nodded again, as he shut the door behind them. She headed up the stairs.

The guest room.

He frowned. "Where are you going? Why don't you come to bed?"

She paused, pursing her lips. "I...don't want to fuck you right now. Just not today, please."

Adrik swallowed looking away. "We don't have to. We just sleep. You can read your book and I can...do what I do."

Michelle turned around. "Pretending like you want to do anything with me other than fuck me is a waste of time Adrik. I understand that's what I'm here for, and that's fine. Just not tonight."

He shifted, as she waited, her eyes on the wall, her arms around himself.

He didn't understand. He'd spent the day catering to her. Why was she upset? Why was that face on her face?

"I..." he trailed off.

"Good night, Adrik."

He pulled her hand. "There's one more gift for you,"

He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Shit...here," he pulled a book out, putting it in her hands. "Good night, Michelle."

She looked down at it. It was the sequel to the book she'd been reading. When did he even get this?

"Wait," she called, smiling. "Thank you."

He looked back at her. Oh...that was a better expression. He liked that.

"Yeah...you were really into the first one. You're almost done aren't you?"

"Hm. It's kinda crazy. I'm caught between liking Scott and hating him. I mean, it's kinda fucked up you know?"

He cocked his head. She glanced away. "But I'm rambling—"

"Well...I don't know. I've never read it but if you tell me I'll know," he said softly.

Michelle sat in the step.

"It's like this: Scott is a serial killer who is also a surgeon, right? And he kidnaps this woman named Morgana, and takes her home."

He sat next to her nodding.

"Anyways, come to find out he's been stalking her for 3 years. "

"And you like him?" He asked.

"Well...he's very charismatic. And...he went through a lot. I don't condone his actions of course, but I feel for him."

"...because of his backstory," He concluded.

She nodded.

"So...even if someone isn't the best person...if they have a really bad backstory you can forgive them," He summed softly.

She yawned. "I suppose so."

Adrik looked over at her, as she held the book to her chest, her eyes fluttering closed.

"I ate so much today," she murmured, "Can't keep my eyes open."

Her head fell on his shoulder. "Just wanna rest my eyes."

Adrik felt her soft breath on his neck as she fell off to sleep. She looked happier just talking about a book than she had the whole day.

Maybe he should just buy books then. He could do that, and maybe she would smile at him like she did today.

"If I tell you my tragic backstory I wonder if you would take pity on me?" He asked, rubbing her cheek.

Her nose wrinkled.

"Hm...I'm not so sure. You're a pretty shrewd woman," he chuckled to himself.

He sighed, standing, leaning her against the railing, before picking her up and carrying her up the stairs.

Maybe it was too late to change the nature of the relationship. She'd probably always hate him.

He stared at the two bedroom doors. His and the guest room. He sighed, laying her down.

But then again, maybe not.