The Ride of a Lifetime

18. Fresh Air

I take a breath, letting Javis hold my hand firmly as we ascended the steps to his door. He squeezes his grip comfortingly.

"You can stay here for the night if you want." We stop before the door.

I shake my head, absorbing his dark gaze of concern, lips drawn into a tight line. I remember the kiss; the desire, the utter starvation. He doesn't seem satisfied at my answer but doesn't push it, instead turning the key to his front door.

It's just meeting his family. There's nothing too frightening about this, right?

The tension in his muscles fail to ease me.

We enter the hallway.

I had expected anything; anything at all other than the gloomy, sinister air that clung onto the walls. As if walking into a nightmare, I keep my focus on Javis' skin against my palm.

I could feel the sweat between our hands, but I'm far from embarrassed. The stern gaze of the young man beside me heightened my nerves.

Maybe he was taking me here to kill me. Jesus.

"Javis?" A voice lacking of confidence calls from a room near us. Javis leads me to the source, opening a door that reveals a young lady who I immediately identified as his sister.

I drag my stare away from her trembling hands before she could notice.

"Hi, I'm Luna." I attempt a warm smile.

She kindly returns the gesture, glancing back and forth between us. Javis had released me, helping her to her bed. "I'm Daisy, it's nice to meet you."

Funny that, the floral bed sheets made the room look like it was a field of daisies, so inviting compared to the hallway just a few steps away.

"You didn't have to get up." He says gruffly. I stand awkwardly near the door, feeling slightly like I was intruding on something private.

"Javis. Is this your girlfriend?"

My eyes widen a little. I wait for his response that seems to take forever to come.

What were we?

I could count the days we've spent together on one hand. I could list the things I know about him on one finger.

Hell, I hadn't expected such a simple question to stir such confusion within me. The flashing image of his knuckles colliding with Lachlan's face made me turn around.

"Sorry, is it alright if I use the toilet?"

"Turn right out the door. Left into the kitchen and walk down."

I mindlessly nod, hastily exiting the room and trying to recall the directions even when I had just received them seconds ago.

This man had stolen my logic, he'd killed every bit of rationale living in my system. I should be at home, apologising to my mother and brother. I should be anywhere but here.

The entire situation scares me to shreds, and I can do nothing but admit how much I want this.

How much I craved him.

Right now I didn't exactly want to decide whether that is a good or bad thing.

I came out of the bathroom, a little lighter and refreshed.

Through the kitchen, I realised how empty everything felt; how incredibly cold the kitchen was. Shivers crept over my skin until goosebumps took their place. The lights were stale and white, hitting my skin unattractively.