Chapter 217 Take what you need
Chapter 217 Take what you need
My entire body went instantly rigid. Chills exploded across my arms and crept down my spine, freezing the blood in my veins.
Little witch.
The exact, specific nickname written on the stalker note sitting on my dresser upstairs. The exact words from the card tucked inside the gift basket, and every other gift before that.
Tobias didn't seem to notice my sudden paralysis. He was already leaning in, his lips pressing a warm, desperate kiss against the sensitive dip of my neck, his hands tightening around my waist as he pulled me flush against his chest.
My mind completely fractured into chaos. Panic and utter confusion fought for control inside my brain, sending my heart into a wild, terrifying frenzy.
“What...” I stammered, my hands coming up to press firmly against his broad chest, pushing him back. “What... what did you just say?”
Tobias let out a low groan of frustration at the separation, lifting his head. He stared at me, his grey eyes dark and heavy with rising heat. “What did I say?”
I swallowed hard, my tongue feeling thick and dry as I licked my lips, trying to force my racing pulse to slow down. “That... that nickname. Where... where did you get it from?”
Tobias blinked, a look of genuine, utter confusion washing over his face as he looked down at me. “Little witch?”
I nodded frantically, my eyes searching every single line of his face, watching for any flicker of guilt, any sly smile, or any sign that he was playing a sick game with me.
Tobias simply shrugged, his brows pulling together in genuine bewilderment. “I don't know, Lisa. It just came out of my mouth. Why? Don't you like it? It... sounded good in my head.”
I sat frozen on his lap, my eyes wide as I stared at him. There was no deceit in his expression. No secret code. Just a boy who was completely clueless as to why a silly nickname had made the girl he loved turn ghost-white.
Tobias’s confusion quickly shifted into genuine worry. He searched my pale face, his hands sliding up to cup my waist gently. “Lisa? Hey, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.”
I shook my head quickly, forcing a ragged breath into my lungs as I tried to pull myself together. I couldn't do this now. I couldn't throw a stalker accusation at him while he was sitting here bleeding over his parents' divorce.
“I’m... I’m fine,” I breathed, forcing my voice to steady.
Tobias eyed me warily for one more second, searching my face. Then, he let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping as he slowly dropped his hands from my waist and leaned back against the cushions, shaking his head in self-disgust.
“God, I’m sorry,” he muttered, rubbing a hand aggressively over his face. “I don't know what came over me. I can't believe I’m sitting here asking you for sex when I’m feeling like this. I’m taking advantage of you. I’m sorry, baby. Please forgive me.”
He made a move to shift me off his lap, preparing to pull away entirely, but the moment his weight shifted, my body reacted before my brain could even stop it.
I reached out, my fingers wrapping tightly around his wrist, stopping his hand right where it rested near my waist.
“No,” I whispered, looking straight into his tired, sorrowful grey eyes. “Please don't stop.”
Tobias froze, staring up at me in shock. “Lisa—”
“I want it, Tobias,” I insisted, my voice growing stronger, firmer, filled with a sudden, overwhelming urge to strip away all his pain, to wipe out the agony sitting on his shoulders.
The mystery of the note could wait. Right now, the boy sitting in front of me was hurting, and he needed me. “I want to be here for you. I want to help you forget.”
Tobias swallowed hard, his dark eyes searching mine with a hesitation that was rapidly melting under the intense, fierce devotion shining in my face.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice a low, raspy murmur. “Are you completely sure, Lisa?”
“I’m sure,” I whispered, sliding my arms around his neck and leaning down until my lips were barely an inch from his. “Take what you need, Tobias.”