Dark Desire

Chapter 38

The introductions ended, and I felt a strange relief, like I had just completed a test I hadn't studied for. But that relief was short-lived as the reality of the situation crashed back over me. I could feel Eran's eyes still on me, his confusion, his concern, and it was too much. I couldn't deal with this, not now, not when I was still trying to keep myself from falling apart.

I needed to get out of here.

"Thanks for the introduction, Eran," I said, my voice strained as I forced another smile. "But I really should be going now. It's late, and I've had a long day."

"Rose, wait—" Eran started, but I cut him off, not wanting to hear what he had to say, not wanting to deal with the inevitable questions that would follow.

"I'm fine, really," I insisted, taking a step back toward the door. "I just need to get some rest. We'll talk later, okay?"

I didn't give him a chance to respond. I turned and headed for the door, my heart pounding in my chest as I desperately tried to maintain my composure. Every step felt like a struggle, every breath an effort to keep the tears at bay. I needed to get out of here before I completely lost it.

As I reached the door, I could hear Eran behind me, his footsteps quickening as he followed. "Rose, wait," he called out, his voice tinged with worry. "Please, don't just leave like this."

I paused, my hand on the doorknob, my body tense as I fought the urge to run. I could feel the tears welling up again, threatening to spill over, but I couldn't let him see that. I couldn't let him see how much this was affecting me.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to face him, keeping my expression as neutral as possible. "Eran, I'm really tired," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I just need some time to myself right now. We can talk tomorrow."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with concern, and for a moment, I thought he might push the issue, might demand to know what was really going on. But then he nodded, a resigned sigh escaping his lips. "Okay, Rose," he said softly. "But please, take care of yourself. And call me if you need anything."

"I will," I promised, though the words felt hollow, insincere. I knew I wouldn't call him—not tonight, not until I had figured out how to deal with the mess inside my head.

With that, I turned and opened the door, stepping out into the cool night air. The door clicked shut behind me, and the silence that followed was deafening. I stood there for a moment, the weight of everything pressing down on me, and I felt like I might suffocate under the pressure.

But I couldn't stay here, couldn't stand in the hallway like some lost child. I needed to move, to get away, to find somewhere—anywhere—where I could be alone with my thoughts.

My car was parked a short distance away, and I hurried toward it, my footsteps echoing in the quiet night. My hands were trembling as I fumbled with the keys, and a warm hand brushed over my frantic ones and my heart beats took off.

"Rose" says Eran as I kept my gaze fixed on the door handle. "ANSWER ME, DAMN IT!" he shouts as i flinched and he turned me towards his taut body and i finally looked up at him.

My eyes drenched with tears, and his, filled with thousands of questions i didnt have the answers to. "Why are you behaving like this?" his voice almost came out like a whisper as if the sight in front of him somehow was bruising him. 

"Can you please, just drop it today?" I say, as my voice came out more like a whisper. "No, i need answers" he pushes back as I tried to let go of his hands from my arms. His grips around my arms tightened as he pulled me closer.

My chest clashed against his as his warm breaths fell on my lips as my lips automatically parted at the feeling of his hot breath. His gaze fell on my lips as he scooted in closer and our lips were barely an inch apart before claiming each other.