A Way Out

Chapter 30

A shiver crept up my back, wrapping itself around my throat, making me short of breath. As Donovan walked his parents out, I became untrusting of the thoughts and desires that occupied my mind. They had their way of tricking my body and making it function at their will. My control of them became lost in the process. I wanted the evening to be an easy one. I didn't want to worry about feelings I had the desire to express. Faith didn't agree with me, and now Donovan's parents left before I did.

The evening had been lovely. Donovan's parents seemed like such amazing people as they talked proudly of their son. I especially liked his mother, Janice. The way she talked about writing made me feel like I could relate to her. She also started small, afraid to let anyone read her work. That shifted when she met Clark. He was the first person to read her work, leading him to realize her dreams by founding Dane Publishing.

As I sat alone on the couch in Donovan's living room, I felt the atmosphere around me shifting and becoming thicker. With Donovan and I together, the air always turned into an exciting storm, blowing our feelings into an inevitable mess. Now I had to decide to ride along with that storm or hide from it.

The moment Donovan re-entered the living room, I shot up from the couch. He raised his eyebrows at me before chuckling to himself. "You're alright there?" he asked, closing our distance with the steps he took, making my stomach clench together.

I swallowed. "Yeah. I think I should go too. Raleigh will probably wonder where I am," I tried, failing to put any confidence within my voice.

We were only mere inches apart after Donovan took his last steps and every reasonable thing within me crumbled. Donovan radiated confidence with a grin tugging at his gorgeous lips. I wanted to exude that same stance, but that's never been me. I wasn't good with intense situations as my body never wanted to cooperate with what I was thinking.

Donovan placed his thumb on my jawline and slowly traced it to my lower lip, slightly brushing it while searching my eyes. I couldn't look at him because the moment I did, I would lose myself within his eyes. The ice within them would freeze me, subjecting me to his power. That power would then warm every single part of my body and crave for more and more.

"Raleigh is a big girl, gem," he whispered as he let go of my lip and took my chin in between his thumb and index finger, forcing me to look at him.

My green eyes collided with his blue ones, and I fell into the icy sea. So much stormed within them, overwhelming me with the intensity of it. The desire within Donovan's eyes was clear. As clear as it had been that evening in the coffee shop. The only difference now was that he was the first to initiate a touch. I fought so hard against myself, trying to bound the restraints even tighter. Those same restraints were nowhere within Donovan's features. Lust painted his face, and I feared it would soon consume me, making me unable to exercise any control over my body.

"I-I know, but I still think it's better if I go. For the both of us," I stammered. Somewhere I felt proud. Proud for not giving in. Giving in ensured more confusion, more headaches, and bigger desires. My body couldn't handle any more weight that uncertainty brought with it.

Donovan's hands left my face, and he smirked, challenging me with his eyes to stand by my words. "Then go."

My jaw dropped. I didn't expect him to give in so easily. This proved his restraints were far greater than mine, or so I thought. I turned around to make my way to the front door, but Donovan's arm pulled me to him by snaking around my waist. He pulled my back flush against his chest and I couldn't help the gasp of surprise that left my lips. Donovan pushed my hair aside, before brushing his lips against the skin of my neck, causing my knees to buckle and my eyes to roll in pleasure.