The Pull

Chapter 3

Leading me through the crowd with his hand lightly at the small of my back I wondered what the fuck I was doing. I could take an Uber home. I should take an Uber home. It was the safer, grown-up thing to do, not get in a car with a complete stranger. Emma having his information didn't stop him from going all Dexter on me and then dodge the state.

Yet, I couldn't stop myself. He was like a magnet, and I couldn't resist.

Stepping outside I was surprised by the chilly night. The pressing heat was suddenly gone. Or, more likely, my body temperature was low due to adrenaline leaving my body. My skin reacted to the cold, and I became acutely aware of the fact I wasn't wearing a bra. As if sensing my discomfort, he put his coat on my shoulders. Apparently Greek gods didn't get cold because he seemed completely unfazed wearing only a sleeveless shirt. He led me towards a big, black Lucid Air.

So Smouldering Eyes has a nice car.

Opening the door for me I mumbled 'thanks' and got in, as he closed the door and got in the driver's seat.

"An address? It doesn't have to be yours if you are uncomfortable with it, but make it somewhere you know you'll be safe getting in."

He looked at me. I opted out for safe and gave him my address and he set the GPS. The proximity of him, sitting next to me in his car made me shiver. He had such a powerful impact on me it was crazy. I was totally eye-fucking those long legs, slightly spread to fit under the steering wheel. Broad shoulders and muscular arms and in contrast: sort of masculine yet tender hands. Long fingers.

I bet he plays the piano with those fingers.

I'm sure he noticed me flinch as I tried to stop my thoughts.

Ok creepy-pants, look away.

I darted my eyes and tried to think of something else. Oh, look, a dashboard.

Those hands really look like they could do things.

Fuck. The handle on the door. Come on, really ogle that door, girl.

What would it feel like to be touched by those hands?

Out the window. Look at them go, all those people and houses and cars and -

What would it feel like to have those fingers inside me?

I snorted at myself, frustrated with my obvious lack of discipline.

"Are you ok?" he asked again. I closed my eyes for a split second and took a mental deep breath.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Embarrassed, I guess. I feel stupid."

He glanced at me.

"Why?"

"Because I am?"
I involuntarily made that very unladylike snorting noise again and cringed. I wanted to bang my head on the dashboard. I could sense a faint smile bend his lips.

"He really wasn't like that when I first met him. Mark, I mean. I got duped."

He said nothing for the longest of time and now I really wanted to bang my head on something, anything. Perhaps jumping out of a moving car wouldn't hurt too bad. I could try landing on the owl.

"Don't apologise for something you don't have control over", he finally said. "You're not at fault for trusting someone. He's the idiot. Not you."

I didn't respond, didn't know what to say to that. He was right, of course. But the feeling lingered anyway. I'd let Mark in. I had let him into my heart. How could I not have seen this coming? I ransacked my brain, trying to remember if there'd been signs. I found none. It happened so fast, him going from being sweet Mark to becoming batshit crazy Mark. And it wasn't even the first time.

I sighed.

"You do an amazing Rachel, by the way." His gaze left the road for a short moment and met mine.

"I especially like the owl. Nice touch."

"Well, I guess you have a soft spot for her, so you are kind of biased. Mr Deckard."

There was that low chuckle again. I really loved that sound.

"True. But then she really was something. And so are you."

I so wanted the remark to not be about him wanting me to feel better. I wanted it to mean that he felt the same connection I was feeling. That he felt the air in this car being electric. But, given the fact I obviously couldn't be trusted reading signals from other human beings, I didn't get my hopes up.

When he pulled up outside my house, I realised I had gone from wanting to die from head-on-dashboard trauma, to not wanting to leave the car at all. I wanted to make the moment last. I didn't want him to drive off. Ok. Perfectly normal and not strange at all. But I couldn't think of any reason not to get out of the car, so I grabbed my beloved owl and my wet clothes. He was looking at me the whole time, quiet. I halted.

"Your shirt. You need to get it back", I remembered.

"It's fine. But I would like to see you to your door if you don't mind. Just to be on the safe side, you know?"

I nodded. If he was giving me a few more minutes, I sure as hell was grabbing them. And truth be told: the thought of Mark waiting for me in the shadows freaked me out.

We walked to my house in silence. I opened the door and expected him to say his goodbyes, but he followed me inside. Apparently seeing me to the door meant my door. We climbed the stairs and when I put the key in the lock, I hesitated. I turned to him.

I really had meant asking if he wanted to wait while I changed from his shirt so he could have it back, but instead I impulsively reached up and gave him a small peck right on the lips.

What in the hell, you psycho?!

Startled, I shook my head and gave him an embarrassed grin, feeling my cheeks heat up. I turned for the door but his soft touch on my arm stopped me. I looked at him. His eyes were so dark, so deep, looking at me so intensely. I could see surprise. Satisfaction. And hot, burning want. He stepped closer, his hand caressing my arm, making the skin prickle in delight. His free hand went to my chin as he leaned in and took my lips.

And the world exploded.