Chapter 98: Ninety Seven

Tyler stared at Raina for a long while, not knowing what to do with or say to her. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he opened his eyes and saw her there, but somehow, deep down, he had felt her eyes on him, but he had chalked it up to the fact that he was thinking about her. 

She was his inspiration, the picture behind his closed eyes, so he had just assumed that was why he felt her presence. “Why were you standing there, watching me, Raina?” he asked. 

“I already told you. It was a mistake. I thought I heard you whimper and assume you were in pain.” She said. 

Tyler gritted his teeth. Seemed like he wasn’t the only person assuming things about the other person. 

He wondered if bringing her here was another mistake, because this sure wouldn’t have happened back at his house. There was no way she would have come to her room uninvited like this. 

Maybe this happened because of how small and cozy this house was… or something. He was trying to wrap his head around a better excuse but there was nothing. 

“Why did you turn away when she realized what I was doing?” he asked. 

“I…” she paused, thinking of something to say, something reasonable. “I was just… I couldn’t…” she trailed off and Tyler shook his head. 

“You what? Couldn’t move?” he asked. 

Raina looked away from him for a moment, then as if she couldn’t care less what he said anymore, she raised her hands in a gesture. “Fine! I screwed up. I’m sorry, but it’s not like I could do anything about it. I saw what I saw and I’m owning up to it. It’s not like I can say the same for you.” She said. 

Tyler furrowed his brows in a frown. “What do you mean? What are you trying to say?” He asked her, giving her a questioning look. 

“Weren't that all about me? Weren’t you doing that to yourself with me in mind?” she asked. 

“What?” Tyler asked, squinting his eyes as he took a step closer to her. She took another one back, as if trying to avoid him. 

“You mentioned my name, Tyler. I heard you. “Oh shit, Rain” that was what you said.” Raina told him with a brave face, but inside, she was screaming. She had no idea where the bravery came from, but she knew it was about to get worse. Now he would really give it to her and straighten her out. 

Raina braced herself, waiting for the blow. Words could cut deeper than anything else, and Tyler had the kind of sharp tongue that didn’t miss its mark. 

Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat, and the way he stood there, silent, just staring at her, was almost worse than anything he could say. His expression was unreadable… his dark eyes locked on hers, his jaw tight, and his body still as if he were holding something back. 

And then he moved. Slowly, deliberately. Every step closer was a test of her nerves, and by the time he stopped just inches away, her breath had all but disappeared. She could feel his heat, like standing too close to a fire, and the scent of him hit her… a mix of soap and something undeniably male. 

It wasn’t fair for someone to smell so good after what they had just done, and when they were this mad. Her knees felt weak, her muscles stiff, like her body couldn’t decide if it wanted to run or melt right there in front of him.

He didn’t say anything at first, just stared at her.

Deeply. Thoroughly. 

His gaze dragged over her face as if searching for answers to questions he hadn’t asked yet. It wasn’t an angry look, not exactly, but it wasn’t forgiving either. It was the kind of look that made her feel exposed, like he was peeling back layers she hadn’t meant to show. 

She wanted to step back, to put space between them, but her feet stayed glued to the floor.

Finally, he blew out a long, deep breath that seemed to drag from his core, and his voice came low and steady. “You,” he said, shaking his head like she was some puzzle he couldn’t solve, “are the most interestingly annoying woman I’ve ever met. And honestly… I don’t know what the hell I’m supposed to do with you.”

The words weren’t harsh, but they hit her just the same. 

Her throat tightened as she tried to find a response, but what was she supposed to say to that? Why the heck does he keep saying that, like he just could never be with her? What was wrong with her that bad? 

She didn’t believe this was about some crazy client or anything like that. 

Raina could feel her cheeks burning, her stomach twisting in knots. She had expected anger, maybe even disappointment, but not this. The frustration and something she couldn’t quite place in his voice just about left her reeling. All she could do was stand there, caught in his gaze, as if the ground beneath her feet had shifted without warning.

She licked her lips, trying to keep herself from crying. She got it, it was so obvious now. She wasn’t wanted by the man she wanted and that was fine. There was no better way to telling her than this stupid remark. 

She swallowed down the urge to cry again, wrapping her arms around herself. “It’s fine. I get it now. I can tell you don’t ever want to have anything to do with me. I shouldn’t expect much there. I don’t know what I was thinking, telling myself all I just had to do was show you you wanted me. I’m just a fool…” she couldn’t keep the tears at bay anymore as they started to roll down her cheeks. 

“Oh God!” Tyler thought as he stood there. 

Just where in the word did she get that deduction from?