20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Twenty three

I can't believe I didn't find them—and that I'll have to wait five more days. I thought today would be the last. I should be thankful they're safe... even if I'm not completely sure. No, no, I know they're safe.

He's still carrying me, and I start kicking again. But most of my kicks don't land—he's holding me too high.

"Put me down," I say for the hundredth time.

"I said no. Didn't you hear me?" he teases.

He keeps looking around—probably for a cab.

"If we don't find one, I'll carry you to the hotel," he says, answering my thoughts.

"What? Put me down now!" I kick harder.

"Shut up."

"Won't you give up?" I shout.

"No."

"If you don't put me down now, I'll scream." I threaten.

"Scream then." He laughs.

So I do.

"Hush," he says.

I scream again. Some people start to notice and stare.

"Shhhh," he hisses, but I scream louder.

Maybe I should scream anyway. Scream, cry, sob—anything but keep arguing with him. I won't stop until he gives up. I want to run and hide in a bathroom and cry my heart out. I know it won't change anything, but at least I'll feel something. Right now, I feel lost.

I scream again—louder than ever. People are watching, but no one does anything. Maybe they think he's my boyfriend. I don't want them to step in. I want him to give up.

He suddenly bends down and shifts me in his arms so my face is just inches from his. We stare into each other's eyes for a moment... and I scream again, trying to shatter the moment.

Without warning, his lips crash onto mine.

I freeze.

I try to push him away, but he doesn't stop. His lips are warm and soft, and he kisses me hungrily. My protests fade. My body melts against his.

What am I doing?

I suddenly snap out of it and push him away with all my strength.

"Put me down. Now," I growl, breathless.

He finally lets me go, and I land on my feet, shaky.

"Twi," he calls, but I start running.

"Twi!" he calls again. I know he's following.

What just happened to me? Who am I? I kissed a stranger. Mom and Dad would never forgive me. I've never even kissed a guy before—and now this? I can't lie: I enjoyed it. I didn't want it to end. But that doesn't make it right.

He probably thinks I'm just another girl for him to mess with. Since the moment I got on that plane, my life's been upside down.

"I didn't mean to—" he starts.

I cut him off. "Did you forget yourself? Don't ever think I'm one of those girls you know."

"I didn't say tha—"

"And you won't."

I run faster. He runs too.

"Twi," he pants. "I swear I didn't mean it. I don't know what came over me."

I'm too tired to keep running, and he catches up easily.

"You'll kill me," he says, breathless.

"Leave me!" I shout.

"Why are you making a scene?" he shouts back. "It was just a kiss—it meant nothing."

"Of course it meant nothing. You kiss random girls every day!"

"Who said that? I don't!"

"Doesn't matter. You can't kiss me. Not me."

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I kissed you—"

"Don't say it." It makes me angrier.

"We need to find a cab."

"You need," I correct him.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not going with you, sir. That's what I mean."

"I can't believe you." He throws his arms in the air.

"That's your problem."

"Twyla, don't force me to do something that won't appeal to you."

"Are you threatening me?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Maybe." He smirks.

"Leave now or I'll call the police." I bluff.

He laughs. "You don't even have a phone."

"Leave."

Like I'd actually call the police if I had one.

"I'll leave. But tell me—where will you go?"

"Not your business."

"Twyla, I understand—or I'm trying to understand—that you're mad about the kiss—"

"You kissed me," I snap. I know I responded, but I'll never admit it.

"That I kissed you. Fine. But I only did it to shut you up. You can forget it. Why are you making it a big deal?"

"You clearly don't get it." I scoff.

"What do you want me to do then? Beg you to forgive me? Beg you to believe it meant nothing?"

"I want you to leave."

"I won't." He exhales. "Hell, your lips were soft—"

"You're a bitch!" I hit him and walk away.

I can't help smiling. Thank God he can't see me.

He follows. "I thought you were naive—and I still think that—but I didn't expect you to respond like that. You tasted yummy, by the way."

I stop, turn, and smack him in the chest. He doesn't even flinch. He just smirks. That damn smirk. As much as it makes me want to punch him, it's... unfairly hot.

He grabs my hands and gently pushes them away, then flags down a cab.

"Get in," he orders.

"No." I mean it. I don't want to go back to that room with him—not after what happened. He doesn't even feel guilty.

"Okay." He picks me up again and throws me into the cab like I weigh nothing, then slides in beside me before I can protest. The driver pulls away.

"God damn you," I mutter.

He chuckles.

I'm not sleeping in his room. I'll find Nena and ask to stay with her. I don't trust him anymore—even if I know that kiss meant nothing. I'm the idiot who kept screaming. What was I thinking?