UNWANTED DEVOTION

PLAYING WITH LOVE...

Helen moaned softly, and with a quick movement, Ryan turned her to face him. He looked deeply into her eyes, and for a moment, everything around them seemed to disappear. His voice was soft but held an edge of intensity as he asked, "Do you like me too?"

Helen stared at him, her heart pounding. She'd waited so long to hear him say something like this, words she'd dreamed about over and over. Yet now, as he said them, they felt hollow, like an echo of something she'd wanted for too long. She knew there was no real feeling behind his question, no warmth in Ryan's heart for her. But still, why couldn't she bring herself to lie or pretend that her own feelings weren't real?

"I... I... love you," she stammered, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. Ryan didn't waste a second; he pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her tightly, like he never wanted to let go. "It's okay," he whispered in her ear, his voice low and soothing. But Helen knew it wasn't okay. She knew how fragile this moment was, how easily it could slip away.

For the past two years, she'd tried to control herself, to lock away her feelings and convince herself that they would fade. She'd told herself he would never love her back, that her heart was safe as long as she kept her distance. But now, with one touch, one small act of kindness, she'd melted into his arms, crying and confessing everything she'd hidden. And she knew it would hurt all the more when he inevitably pulled away.

They sat like that for a while, the room around them silent except for her soft sniffles. Ryan's head rested on her lap as he looked up at her, his eyes thoughtful but unreadable. The night outside grew darker, casting shadows over them, making the room feel smaller, more intimate. Helen couldn't help but wonder if he was thinking about her, if he felt anything close to what she was feeling. But as the seconds ticked by, the silence only grew heavier, each moment adding to the tension that simmered between them.

Then, her phone buzzed, breaking the quiet. The sound was almost jarring, a harsh reminder of the outside world that they'd both forgotten about.

Helen glanced at the screen and saw Aron's name flashing. She sighed, a wave of tension rolling over her as she looked back at Ryan, whose expression had turned dark. Aron—Ryan's brother. She knew the rivalry between them was fierce, and she could sense Ryan's jealousy now, his possessiveness flaring up.

Putting a finger to her lips, she gestured for Ryan to stay quiet as she answered the call. "Hey..." she said softly.

"Did you get home okay?" Aron asked, his voice warm but slightly worried. Ryan lifted his head from her lap, his jaw clenched tightly. Helen closed her eyes, feeling torn between the two of them, feeling the weight of all their unresolved issues pressing down on her.

"Yes, I did," she replied, trying to keep her tone even. "How's your leg feeling?" Just as she finished speaking, a small gasp escaped her lips. Ryan had leaned forward, pressing a slow, teasing kiss to her neck, his lips brushing her skin in a way that made her heart race.

"What happened?" Aron's voice was laced with concern.

"Oh, it's... nothing," she managed, struggling to keep her voice steady. "Just saw something... scary."

Aron laughed, the sound warm and familiar. "Knowing you, it was probably just a cockroach."

Helen forced a small laugh in response. "Yeah... something like that. I'll call you later, okay?" She quickly ended the call, setting her phone aside with trembling hands.

The second the call ended, Ryan tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. It was intense and possessive, like he wanted to claim every part of her. She felt herself surrendering, letting him pull her closer as her heart raced. Their tongues met, a fierce exchange that made her feel like nothing else mattered, like this was all she had ever wanted.

"God, you're addictive," he murmured, pulling back slightly, his eyes dark and full of something she couldn't quite place.

Helen's heart was pounding, her cheeks flushed. She took a shaky breath, managing to say, "I... I have to go home, Ryan." She searched his gaze, hoping, wishing for something real.

Ryan's face softened just a bit, and he let out a sigh, breathing in her scent like he was trying to memorize it. Finally, he lifted her into his arms and carried her outside, gently placing her in the passenger seat of his car. He moved to the driver's side, started the engine, and began to drive, the tension still heavy between them.

The car ride was silent, the only sound the hum of the engine and the quiet night around them. Ryan's hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. "Don't go," he whispered, almost to himself.

Helen looked at him, surprised. "What did you say?"

"Don't go tonight," he repeated, his voice low but unmistakable.

Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she wanted nothing more than to stay, to see if there could be more between them. But she shook her head. "I can't, Ryan. I have to go." She watched his face fall, a flicker of frustration flashing in his eyes.

"Damn it, I want you," he muttered, clenching his jaw as he punched the steering wheel lightly.

The rest of the drive passed in a heavy, uncomfortable silence. Soon, they arrived at her house, and Helen opened the car door, stepping out. She looked back at him, his expression still tense as he lowered the window to look at her one last time. She leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips before pulling away.

"I love you, Ryan. Please... just love me back," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked toward her front door, leaving him alone in the car. She could feel his gaze on her, could sense the weight of everything unsaid hanging in the air.

As she disappeared into the shadows, Ryan stared after her, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Helen..." he whispered, shaking his head with a chuckle. You're so easy to play with. He started the car, his smirk turning into a laugh as he drove away, the night swallowing up his retreating figure.

Meanwhile, across town, Aron sat alone in his room, looking at a photo of him and Helen from months ago. They were in a café, and he was feeding her a slice of cake. She'd been pouting because he'd chosen strawberry when she'd wanted chocolate. He traced her face in the photo, his heart aching with longing.

"I miss you, love," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the picture. Turning to look out the window, he sighed, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

"How much longer do I have to wait, Helen?" he murmured, the words laced with pain. "Can't you see how much I love you?"