Seduced Fall ✔️

29. Weak

Clara Carter

I exited Christopher's room as soon as I realized I wouldn't gather any more useful information from Mae. In the dense air of my brother's room, Stefan remained in a disturbed and worried posture the entire time. He is bothered by something. He knows something I don't, and I'm terrified that it could be dangerous for him and his family.

I slowly take a seat on my bed, my elbows buried in my knees and my head cradled between my palms. Everything that happened tonight is still fresh in my mind.

I've started to have doubts about everything and everyone in my life.

"Are you okay?" Stefan's strong voice reverberates throughout my room. I sense his hand approaching my shoulder. As if his touch would burn me, I jerk away from him. 

His face drains with guilt, as he feels outraged by my unexpected rejection of his comfort.

My mind refuses to trust him after everything I've learned about him in the last few minutes, but my heart begs me to hug him and bring him closer to me. He has become someone close enough to never leave me. I'd feel safe in his arms if we were closer physically and emotionally. But I can't find the strength to do so.

He lets out a sigh. "Look at me, Clara."

My head is down and I'm staring at the ground. I'm more than confident while looking into his magnificent hazel eyes that reflect nothing but an irresistible pull towards him. Today, however, is not that day.

How can I trust someone who is obligated to clear the evidence of crimes committed by his sister? How can I trust him if he turns into his sister one day? For their own selfish reasons, they don't care if the victims they're torturing are innocent or not?

"I think you should leave, Stefan."

I'm becoming increasingly self-conscious around this man, to the point that I don't know I'm tapping my foot incessantly until Stefan places his hand on my knee. He kneels in front of me and lifts my chin to make me lookup.

"It's fine." he says, "I know what's on your mind right now, and it's okay if you don't think I'm someone you can trust,"

The sight of his vulnerable look on me makes my heart quiver. He's having trouble with something in his head that I'm not aware of.

He is afraid of something.

"Still," he says, pulling his attention away from mine. "I want you to trust me. I need you to trust me."

I shake my head so slowly that he doesn't notice. "Why?" My voice is trembling, and I'm afraid it'll crack at any moment; the words come out for the first time in disbelief for him. "Why are you convincing me to believe you?"

"Because I—"

The flow of cool air isn't enough to quiet the ferocity coursing through his veins protruding from his forehead. He closes his eyes and lets out a sigh of rage.

"I want you to stay with me," He admits it, a reassuring squeeze on my knees. "I want you to be with me; I'm not sure what I'd do if you weren't there to distract me."

He quietly chuckles, soothing my stiff body. "Anything you want me to say, Clara. Just don't say you won't see me because of my family's messed-up business. Please, don't—"

I encircle his neck with my hands and force my lips to his. Hard. Concealing his mouth with all I have. I catch him off guard, but he doesn't seem to mind. His arms wrap themselves around me as well. He holds me dangerously close to him, making it difficult for me to breathe. But I want to be near him, to be able to touch him.

His tongue flicks across my lips, teasing and delicate at first, then roughing it up.

This isn't what I had in mind when I walked into my room—falling to Stefan's charm and getting myself ready for him. But now I want to do everything I can to keep him with me for a long time.