Incubus

Chapter 13

In order for light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present

~Francis Bacon

Message From Hayden @4:24 p.m.

Are you ready for tonight?

Sent to Hayden @4:26 p.m.

Sure

Message From Hayden @4:30 p.m.

Don't worry; there's no need to be excited at all

I rolled my eyes. It was a few days since our kiss in the botanical garden, and I had decided immediately afterward that I didn't want anything else to do with Hayden. It only took another day for Hayden to begin harassing me, asking me what was wrong, if everything was all right, if he had done something to make me upset, and so on and so forth. 

At first, I began to grow irritated at the never-ending notifications my phone gave me, alerting me to Hayden's omnipresence. But soon I found it slightly flattering that he cared enough to check up on me. I didn't know if his intentions were pure, but it was nice to pretend that someone besides Emmalyn cared. 

After a week of Hayden's concerns, I confronted him and asked him what he wanted from me. His answer surprised me by its bluntness, but I shouldn't have been surprised. Being blunt was the only way Hayden knew how to interact with me. 

"I want you."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "You what?"

"I want you, Corin. That's it, that's all."

I stared at him suspiciously. "I'm not going to fall for this act that you continually put on."

He feigned surprise. "What act?"

"The act of being smitten with someone, fucking them, and then never talking to them again. Don't act so stupid, I saw you in the club. I saw the way you interact with women, and I have no interest in it whatsoever."

I turned to walk away when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him, right up against his chest. He looked down at me, and I could feel his breath fanning my face. He placed his hands on either side of my head and said, "This isn't an act, Corin. I'll admit that I wasn't interested in you when I first saw you-"

I rolled my eyes and tried to pull away, but he was persistent.

"-but you're the only girl that's ever put me in my place. You stand up to me and don't care what I think of you, and it's... something different. Do you understand what I'm saying to you? I've never wanted someone the way I've wanted you."

He stepped back and waited for my response. 

I stayed quiet for a long time, analyzing his face and trying to sort out the truth from the lies. 

"I don't think I can trust you-"

"Just give me a chance. Test me out, see what I'm like before you say no."

I laughed dryly. "I already know what you're like; we went on a date where you were rude-"

"And you kicked me in the balls, so I think we're even."