"Calliah."
He shook his head, disappointment heavy in his tone.
I stood near the window, the cold air biting my skin, and for a fleeting second, I felt reckless enough to scream or worse. My fingers trembled, threatening to do something irreversible.
"Don't," he warned, his voice low but firm.
"Uhm… answer me or" I staggered, trying to force him to meet my gaze.
Before I could finish, he was behind me, his hands gripping my waist, pulling me closer. My heart slammed against my ribs.
"You're freezing," he muttered.
"Warm me, haha," I teased nervously, trying to mask the panic rising in my chest.
He shook his head, silent, then carefully placed me on the bed. His hands moved to my hair, gently brushing it back with a towel, cleaning the wet strands sticking to my face.
He set about changing my clothes to the dress Kacey had prepared.
"Axel…" I whispered.
"Just… be quiet for a minute," he cut me off sharply.
"Uhmm… never knew you could nag," I said, smirking nervously, trying to lighten the tension.
He placed a glass at my lips. "Drink."
I obeyed, tasting the bitter liquid slide down my throat.
"Why is it so bitter?" I asked, pouting.
He didn't answer with words. Instead, his hand moved to my back, lifting me onto his lap.
"Were you expecting it to be sweet?" His deep voice rumbled against my ear.
I spit a little, laughing, "But..."
He didn't let me finish. I apologized quickly, cleaning it off his face.
His hand wrapped around mine, pressed firmly to his chest.
"Drink. We're going to your house soon," he ordered.
"No… I want to spend some time with you," I said, my voice small and vulnerable, like a child pleading.
"Shhh… then you need to drink it all." His eyes were sharp, commanding.
I gulped it down obediently.
"Hmm." He hummed, satisfied.
"Close your eyes. I'll be back soon. Don't do anything foolish."
"Uhm," I muttered, eyelids growing heavy.
He left, and I heard the soft footsteps as he went to Josh and Kacey's room.
When he returned, he carried me effortlessly in his arms down to the car.
"Where's my cousin Kacey?" I muttered, half asleep.
"Shhh… she's with Josh. Don't wake anyone," he replied, voice clipped.
"I need to see her," I insisted.
"Stop behaving like a kid," he nagged, a rare edge in his tone.
"Okay… I won't. Just because of you." I sighed, sinking into his arms again.
We arrived at the car park. He placed me gently in the back seat and handed Josh Kacey. Then, he started the engine.
"Uhmm… what about my answer?" I whispered, hand instinctively returning to his chest.
"Calliah… I'm driving. It's dark. Just… be quiet for a moment," he muttered.
"I can't!" I said, dragging the seatbelt across myself.
He slammed the brakes suddenly, a harsh scratch echoing through the quiet car.
Josh jolted awake, groaning.
"Calliah, just..."
"Be quiet?" I teased, trying to hide my laugh.
"I really want to, but… can't." I smiled weakly, my fingers tracing his arm.
I reached for buttons on the dashboard, pretending to play, but my heart raced with every misstep.
"Oh God… I can't die here," Josh muttered, eyes wide.
"I want to die in a woman's hands, not in a car with my boss And his girlfriend....," josh muttered, glancing at Kacey, still asleep in the back seat.
I pressed the reverse button accidentally.
"Ahhh!" he shouted in frustration.
"That's it," he muttered, hitting the brake correctly.
He lifted me from the back seat, placing me in his lap. My body melted against his as he held me close while driving.
"Uhmm…" I whispered, tracing his chest with my fingers.
I pressed my body against his, lips brushing his chest, hands finding his back.
"I feel… comfortable now," I breathed, leaning into him.
His hand moved to my back, guiding, steadying, anchoring me. I drew my hips closer to his, feeling his tension.
He bit his lip, suppressing a sound he didn't want me to hear.
"Axel… I really…?"
"Keep it for someone else," he muttered, firm, almost cruel in his restraint.
The mansion came into view. Guards were asleep. He instructed Josh to take Kacey to her room.
The hallway was empty. The night was silent, almost too quiet, but my heart pounded like a drum. Every step echoed in the shadows.
The clock read 3 AM.
He carried me to my room, placing me on the bed but I grabbed him, pulling him down beside me.
"Axel…" My voice was barely audible, trembling.
He placed his hand at the corner of the bed, pinning me gently.
The light flicked on.
"You must be the Axel,"