Rhea's life is a picture of quiet bliss-working in her cozy bakery, surrounded by the sweet smells of fresh pastries, and living a life full of sunlight and simple pleasures. But there's one person who disturbs her peace every day: Keane, the enigma...
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The sun was just beginning to set when Rhea closed up the bakery for the day. She lingered at the door, gazing out onto the quiet street, savoring the momentary calm before heading home. But as she locked the door and turned toward her car, she felt an unmistakable prickle along the back of her neck, like someone was watching.
She glanced around, but the street was empty. Just shadows stretching out in the fading light. Forcing a smile at her own paranoia, she shook her head and moved toward her car. Yet, a small voice whispered in her mind, unsettled.
Her phone buzzed in her bag. She fished it out, heart skipping as she saw a message from Keane.
Did you get home safely?
The question made her smile despite herself. It wasn't the first time he'd checked on her after closing, but somehow, today it felt different—more intentional, more intense. She typed back quickly, ignoring the flutter in her stomach.
Not yet. Just locked up. How was your day?
The response came almost instantly, making her wonder if he'd been waiting for her reply.
Better now. If you'd like, I could meet you and walk you to your car.
Rhea's fingers hesitated over the screen. There was no reason to feel wary—he was only being considerate. But after their conversation this morning, after the way he'd looked at her, she couldn't help but feel that same strange pull to him, a magnetic charge that was impossible to shake.
That would be nice, she finally typed back.
Moments later, she saw him, appearing as if from nowhere, his tall figure shadowed under the streetlights. Keane walked toward her with a confident stride, his face calm but his gaze intense, as if she were the only person in the world.
"Rhea," he greeted her softly, his eyes sweeping over her in that way that made her pulse quicken.
"Keane," she replied, managing a small, nervous smile. "Thank you for coming. I know it's silly, but I've felt... strange lately. Like someone's watching me."
His jaw tensed, and his gaze hardened, just for a moment. "You should always be careful. Some people don't understand boundaries."
His words were soft but carried a hidden weight, an edge that made her shiver. "I suppose that's true," she murmured, looking away.
He reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm glad you asked me to come tonight. You're not alone, Rhea. I'll make sure of it."
Her breath hitched at the closeness, at the softness in his voice. For a moment, they stood there in the dim light, the space between them charged with something both thrilling and unnerving. The rest of the world seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them in an intimate stillness.
"You've always been so kind," she whispered, meeting his gaze. "I don't think I've ever felt as safe with anyone as I do with you."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips, though his eyes stayed dark. "I take care of the things I value, Rhea. That's how I've always been."
His words lingered in the air, each one laden with a meaning she couldn't quite decipher. But in that moment, with his hand brushing her cheek, she felt a pull, a need to understand him, to see beyond the stoic expression and the guarded words.
She took a deep breath, breaking the silence. "Maybe we could get coffee sometime? I'd like to know you better, too."
Keane's expression softened, though his gaze stayed locked on hers with that same fierce intensity. "I'd like that."
The promise settled between them as they walked together to her car, her heart racing as she realized she'd just stepped one step deeper into his world—a world that seemed both mesmerizing and dangerous.
