Arresting Attraction: How To Create A Criminal

Chapter Twenty One

Over the sound of the pouring rain, the rickety gate opened. I felt my body wince, waiting for the oncoming scold, followed by the possibility of physical pain. I sucked in a breath and sat very still.

Booted footsteps moved toward me. They stepped into puddles, pulling from the water with a small splash. I let out the breath I had taken, and turned around, my chest hammering hard.

Charlie Thomas looked down at me. He was clad in a long sleeved shirt, originally white, but now transparent from the rain, showing off the darkened drawings tattooed on his skin. The top four buttons were undone, revealing a cascade of tattoos peeking over his collar bones.

His face was hollowed out, cheekbones high on his face, his jaw tense. His lips stretched into a frown, while his brows raised, contradiction running over his face. And his eyes, they were different. Amusement twinkled in their dark gold, flooding his brooding face with emotion.

His hair hung in his face, dark, almost black against his skin. The only pop of colour being his stunning eyes, like syrup.

Charlie sucked on his bottom lip as he looked at me, doing a once over and I slowly brought myself to my feet, standing still in front of him. My hands fisted by my side as I took in a breath, my heart still nervously beating in my chest.

We stood there for moments, staring at each other. Neither of us made a move, as we studied each other's faces, clothes, emotions, standing in the rain. Charlie wasn't going to make a move, that I was sure about.

So I did.

In two steps I was at his face, my fist swinging. Charlie grabbed my fist in his open hand, and used my motion to spin me around him, and on to the ground. He used little to no effort, I could feel it, as I groaned falling into a puddle of dirty.

I got up as quickly as I fell, wiping the dirt from my face onto my sleeve, before running at him again. The inmate took a couple of steps away from me as he tugged off his shirt, throwing the wet cotton the ground.

Almost insultingly, he motioned towards me, amusement still evidently clear over his face. The feelings I had somehow managed to subdue while exhaustedly running for my life, flared. I grimaced, teeth bared as I ran towards him. Only, this time, I knew what he was going to do.

As I approached, I ducked down, and Charlie misjudged.

With a firm fist, I caught his stomach, as Charlie let out an exasperated huff, flinching back slightly. He recovered quickly, as he caught my wrist and almost effortlessly tossed me to the ground, again.

I didn't get up, sitting in a dirty puddle, waiting for his next move. I felt my chest heaving, my energy draining too quickly. I didn't get up even as Charlie stepped towards me, and kicked me over, onto my back. I didn't try and get up as he pressed a heavy boot against my neck and shoulder, pressing down, just enough for me to squeeze my hands and inhale shakily.

"If you wanted my attention you could've asked," He said, softly.

I groaned, trying to move my shoulder from its place, "We tried."

"We?"

"It was Jess' idea. Your guards wouldn't let us in."

Charlie frowned, furrowing his brows. Almost sarcastically did he ponder, "So you decided that you would shoot down camera, set off a break out alarm, and run? All to get my attention."

I — almost— flushed, "Jess' idea."

He raised an eyebrow, "Sure."

Charlie stepped off my shoulder, and offered me his hand. His eyes were solemn as he gestured, nodding towards me.