Chapter 39: .•15.1•.

She simply stared up at him for a moment. Eyes wide and unblinking. Reeling with bewilderment.

"You must be so delusional, then. If you think...that...I'm..." she lightly shook her head and blinked, head still spinning after what he'd just said. He really was crazy. She simply turned around to head for the bathroom instead.

"Oh, really?" She heard him say from behind her, mere moments before she suddenly found herself plastered against the nearest wall. His powerful body trapping hers. She let out a frightened squeak, desperately peering up into his dark and malice-filled eyes.

"How do you explain this, then?" He shoved a hand into those locks at the back of her head, forcing her to raise her chin and offer him her neck. He dove right in and placed an open-mouthed kiss on her skin, making her let out that wanton mewl that kept bubbling up whenever he touched her there.

"And this," he pulled back a little, just enough to peer down into her rounded eyes as he gingerly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. His mouth so incredibly close to hers. Just a mere hair's breadth and he could even kiss her. A thing that she found herself desperately wanting to experience, much to her utter mortification. She...liked his touch. Even more so, after what he'd done to her last night. All those sensations she'd experienced as he'd touched her with that wicked mouth of his.

What was wrong with her? Had he...broken her or something? She couldn't understand! How could she even tolerate his presence, after everything that he'd done to her? Those callous threats, those brazen words! How could she still yearn for his touch, even after he had taken so much blood from her? After he'd hurt her like that? There was something wrong with her. It had to be. He was somehow making her feel like that. He was definitely messing with her mind. There was no way that this was all her. He had to have done something to her. Altered her in some way.

No. She needed to resist him. She couldn't just give in to her body's desires. She needed to show him that he was wrong. He wasn't worth her precious virginity. No matter how hard her body seemed to disagree with that. He was vile and mean, and she would never allow him to touch her like that. Ever.

His lips immediately curled up as if hearing her thoughts, those eyes flashing with a dark promise as if accepting that challenge. So determinedly set to prove her wrong.

Her eyes widened in return as if sensing exactly what was going on through that diabolical mind of his. She gave his body a feeble shove, so eager to get away from there. To escape. He easily stepped away and allowed her to run, smirking as he watched her head straight for the bathroom door.

She rushed inside, hurrying to slam the door shut and lock it before he could even think of getting in there with her.

She heard him chuckle from the other side, her heart fluttering at the sound of that.

"You can run, but you can't hide, sweetheart. I'll be right here waiting for you. You'll have to come out eventually...

Oh, and...don't you think that you've forgotten something?"

Her brows immediately furrowed at the sound of that. What?

What could she have possibly-

Her eyes widened with evident alarm as soon as she realized exactly what he was talking about. Her clothes!

"Crap!"

That masculine chuckle could be heard once again coming from the other side of the door.

.••.

She'd waited for as long as she could. Deliberately taking her time into that shower. She'd shaved and scrubbed, used moisturiser and several types of cream. She'd even brushed her teeth three times. Anything to stall for as long as she could. She really didn't want him to see her like that. To be so exposed in his presence. But that hunger was starting to gnaw at her now. She hadn't had anything for breakfast yet. And she would be soon needing to get to the cafe.

Crap. Her car! She'd totally forgotten about that! She didn't have her car anymore, thanks to Nicholas' "thoughtfulness" and the nearest bus station was so far away! Great. How was she going to get there in time now?

She really wanted to keep her job there, now even more than ever. It was the only place where she felt safe and at home, and where she could escape from this place for at least a few hours. Escape from him and his clutches.

She exhaled a breath, body already thrumming with dread as she peered at herself into the mirror. She hated this. What she was about to do. To ask of him.

There is no other way, she mentally whispered to herself. She had to swallow her pride and fear, and ask him.

So she went and unlocked the door, her hands shaking as she hesitated to open it. She needed to do it. There was no other way.

She flung the door open, not surprised at all to notice him lying in her bed. Hands ducked behind his head. His gaze immediately fell on her and she fought not to flinch or even try to hide away.

She needed to ask him. So she timidly took a step in his direction, hands nervously clutching at that towel covering her body as she quietly asked,

"Can you give me a lift to the cafe?"

His lips curled up into a side-smirk.

"Only if you ask me nicely,"

She swallowed, taking in a deep and encouraging breath.

"Please, c-can you give me a ride to my other job?" She bit her lip, growing so uneasy under that intense stare of his. She could notice the way that his dark eyes trailed over the length of her, from head to toe. Up and down. It made her belly flutter. And her heart beat faster.

"Hmm... Nope," he simply answered.

She stupidly blinked, evidently perplexed.

"Why not?"

"Because you made me wait in here for so long, worrying if you were still alive or not," he said with a shrug, continuing to watch her like that.

Her chin dipped at the sound of that, her mood instantly plummeting. She turned to grab some clothes, mentally resigning herself to the fact that she will be late today for her shift.

She was just about to open the dresser when his voice suddenly interrupted her.

"Wait,"

She paused. Turning to peer back at him.

"I'll do it. On one condition," he said, his gaze zeroing in on her body again.

"Take off your towel," he firmly commanded.