Heartthrob - COMPLETED

Chapter 24

The wind outside the open windows played with strands of my hair as I sat in the passenger seat, the chill seeping through the car. 

''Are you feeling cold?'' he asked his eyes held a genuine concern that made me feel oddly cherished.

"Yeah, kind of, but let the windows open, please. I like the fresh air on my face," I said, offering a grateful smile.

"Alright, I won't," he agreed, reaching behind the driver's seat and pulling out a cozy blanket. As he handed it to me, our fingers brushed, sending a subtle shiver down my spine. My heart fluttered at his gesture. Did he really care that much about my well-being? The thought lingered in the air, unspoken but palpable.

"Thank you for caring about me," I whispered, wrapping the blanket around myself, feeling the warmth seep into my bones.

Irwin's response, however, shattered the momentary warmth. "I don't. I just don't want you sick and cold, or else Gregory will hunt me down. You're under my responsibility," he stated blankly

My mind couldn't help but retaliate with a silent, "Asshole." Yet, beneath the apparent callousness of his words, there was a hint of something more. Maybe it was the way he averted his gaze or the subtle softening of his expression.

The car continued to navigate the winding road, the open windows letting in the crisp air that mingled with the warmth of the blanket. There was an unspoken tension in the atmosphere, a delicate balance between banter and genuine concern. Irwin's hands firmly gripped the steering wheel, but his eyes flickered to me from time to time, as if checking that I was indeed okay. As the miles passed, the cold outside seemed to fade into the background, and the connection between us, however complicated, began to unfold like the winding road ahead.

Irwin chuckled at my playful insult, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. 

"Asshole, huh?" he teased, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, someone's got to keep you on your toes."

I rolled my eyes, wrapping the blanket around myself. "I can take care of myself, you know."

He raised an eyebrow, his expression mockingly serious. 

"Oh, I'm sure you can. But it doesn't hurt to have someone looking out for you, especially when you're too stubborn to admit you need it."

I shot him a playful glare, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the blanket. Irwin turned his attention back to the road, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel. As the cool breeze swept through the open windows, I couldn't help but steal a glance at him. Irwin's profile was softened by the glow of the city lights, and for a moment, the air seemed charged with a quiet connection between us.

"You know," he began, breaking the comfortable silence, "Gregory might be a tough guy, but he cares about you. We all do."

I sighed, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, I know."

Irwin's eyes met mine briefly, and in that fleeting moment, it felt like the world outside the car disappeared. His expression softened, and for a heartbeat, it was just the two of us, wrapped in the warmth of shared understanding. The car continued to glide through the night, the city lights blurring into streaks of color. The open windows allowed the crisp night air to mingle with the warmth inside the car, creating a perfect balance that mirrored the delicate dance of emotions between Irwin and me. 

The night air grew cooler as I nestled deeper into the scented blanket. The soft blend of lavender and light sandalwood was like a tranquil spell, casting a serene ambiance within the confines of the car. I stole glances at Irwin, his profile bathed in the soft glow of the dashboard lights.The rhythmic hum of the engine and the steady road beneath us created a soothing backdrop to the unspoken connection that seemed to weave between us. The silence was no longer an absence of words but a shared understanding, a language of its own.

As the car continued its journey, I couldn't resist the urge to break the quietude. 

"Let me drive," I suggested, a playful glint in my eyes. Irwin shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

 "No, we're nearly there," he replied, gesturing towards the dimly lit road ahead. "We're back to the castle?" I asked, surprise evident in my voice.

Irwin's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Yes, it's mine," he confirmed. He chuckled at my reaction, finding my astonishment amusing. 

"Yeah, but we're not going there tonight. There's something else," he said cryptically, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. The anticipation in the air thickened as the car navigated through the night, weaving through shadowy landscapes. The mystery of our destination added an extra layer of excitement, and I couldn't help but wonder what awaited us beyond the darkened roads and whispered secrets.

As I stood there, my mouth agape, taking in the captivating scenery of the cave, I couldn't help but marvel at its resemblance to Santorini, blended with a touch of 80s sophistication. The warm and cozy ambiance enveloped us, creating a sense of tranquility. The cave's unique design, a nostalgic nod to the past, added an intriguing charm to the space.

My surprise was interrupted by the realization that Irwin had booked only one room. "Wait? You booked only one room?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing in concern. Irwin responded nonchalantly, "Only one was left, so yeah, don't worry; I can sleep on the floor."

"No way, Irwin," I insisted, shaking my head. "You've been driving for God knows how long, and I can't let you sleep on the floor. We'll figure something out." Determination set in as I began to contemplate the logistics of the situation. He was tired and undoubtedly hungry. I couldn't fathom letting him sleep on the floor, even if the cave's heated environment offered some comfort.

The cave's interior, with its unique 80s design, provided an unexpected backdrop to this unexpected predicament. I surveyed the room, wondering if there might be an alternative solution. The warm glow from the cave's ambient lighting cast a gentle hue on our surroundings, adding to the surreal feeling of the moment.

"We'll find a solution, even if it means sharing the bed or finding an extra blanket somewhere," I declared, determined to ensure that Irwin could get the rest he needed. After all, we were in this adventure together, and a little discomfort shouldn't overshadow the excitement of our journey.

''So, You want to sleep with me?'' he said teasingly. The air in the room grew thick with tension as he playfully uttered those words, a teasing smirk dancing on his lips. His fingers skillfully worked on the buttons of his shirt, revealing a hint of his toned chest. I rolled my eyes in response, dismissing his comment with a nervous laugh.

"No, creepy," I replied, nervously, but a sudden unease settled in the pit of my stomach. I reached for my phone, using it as an excuse to escape the room, but before I could make my exit, he seized my arm with a firm grip. In a swift movement, he pinned me against the wall, his proximity sending shivers down my spine. His hand rested possessively on my waist, and mischief sparkled in his eyes. My heart raced, pounding in my chest like a drum, the sound almost drowning out the world around us. We stood there, locked in a silent exchange, our eyes holding a conversation that words could not convey. The distance between our lips seemed to shrink to a mere centimeter, a tantalizing promise of a collision that hung in the air. His heavy breath brushed against my skin, and I found myself captivated by the intensity of his gaze. Time seemed to stand still as the magnetic pull between us grew stronger. My voice caught in my throat, words escaping me as I continued to stare into his eyes.

The charged atmosphere left me breathless, and just when the anticipation reached its peak, I summoned the courage to gently push him away. My face burned with embarrassment, a deep shade of red betraying my inner turmoil."I'm bringing us dinner," I stammered, my voice betraying the mix of emotions coursing through me. With a quick retreat, I rushed out of the room, leaving behind the lingering heat of our shared moment. The echo of my racing heart accompanied me as I tried to compose myself, the memory of our close encounter replaying in my mind.