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I pull into my parking spot and make my way up to my apartment. “Are you fucking kidding me?” How the hell did he even get my address?

“Well, it’s nice to see you too, Sparky.” Jake is standing outside of my door.

“You know they offer help for people like you. Not only that, but stalking is a crime. Oh, and what the hell is with the ‘Sparky’ stuff?” I turn the key in my door stepping just a bit inside so he understands this is not an invitation to come in.

“It’s not stalking. I told you I was taking you out tonight.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward him. “See you were inside and I took you out.” His hand releases mine, and he bends down to pick up a box of pizza. “Now let's eat before this gets cold.” He is so persistent that I don’t even know what to think. It’s nice that he is putting in the effort for me, but it’s completely unwanted.

I hold my hand up. “No. One, I want to know why the hell you call me Sparky and, two, I did not invite you in.” I cross my arms trying to seem unaffected by him.

“I call you Sparky because of how feisty you were last night, don’t worry it's a good thing. And I told you I was coming over tonight, I don’t know why you are so surprised.” He squeezes past me and walks inside. I clench my fist as I slam the door in frustration.

“Get out.”

He looks at me from the kitchen as he is opening the box of pizza and putting slices on plates. When he walks toward me, my body tenses. Stay strong. He holds the plate out for me to grab and smiles. “Eat this. Maybe you’ll be a little more pleasant.” He winks at me before sitting down on my couch.

Dick.

Chapter Four

Nina

I sit down on the couch as far away from him as possible. I’m trying to be stubborn and not eat his stupid pizza, but it smells so damn good. I cave to the fat monster inside of me and take a bite. An involuntary moan escapes my mouth and my eyes dart to Jake instantly to see if he noticed.

By the big ass smile on his face, I would say he did. I finish the piece in record time then turn to face him. “I ate, but I still don’t want you here.”

I hear him laugh before he looks up at me. He stands and walks in front of me. His finger traces my jawline making my entire body pay attention. My skin heats as his touch disappears. “It’s a shame you’re such a shit liar, Sparky. Besides I brought a movie.” How the hell does he know I’m lying? I have tirelessly perfected my poker face over the years. How can he see through me so easily?

He disappears. A movie? Where the hell did this guy come from? No wonder he has such bad luck with girls, he can’t take no for an answer. “I just don’t get it.” I stand up and face him. “Why won’t you just go?” He doesn’t answer me. I walk to where he is in the kitchen. “I’m talking to you! What is your damn problem? I have asked you a million times to just—“

His mouth crashes to mine. I’m backed against the kitchen counter, and there is no escape, not that I want one. His tongue forces its way into my mouth, taking full control as his hands grip my ass and lift me up to sit on the granite. He pulls back, placing hard kisses down my jaw and then his lips trail over my neck. I throw my head back in pleasure. I’ve never had this feeling. Like I will combust any damn minute. Then he stops. I look down at him in confusion.

“That’s why I won’t leave. No matter how much this sexy ass mouth says no, this sinful body is screaming yes. I’m okay with hanging out until they get on the same page.” His hands skim up my sides before lifting me up and setting me back on my feet. He takes my hand and walks me into the living room, leaving me standing by the couch as he puts in the DVD.

It's like I’m frozen. I don’t fall for guys. Mostly because everyone who has ever tried to get close to me is pushed away after the first hello. His determination scares me.

Jake walks back to me, sits down, and pulls me next to him. For the first time, I don’t fight him. I sit there but make no move to touch him. My head is so jumbled, and I can barely think straight. This is why I need to fight any feelings I might have. I can't let him in and risk hurting someone else. I don’t deserve to have anyone. I had Carly, and she’s gone because of me.

He’s toxic and dangerous. He is the reason I could lose everything I have worked for. He could also be the one to pull me from the darkness. I don’t want that, though; the darkness is safe. You can’t see the monsters in the darkness.

The movie starts and with the eerie music, I can tell it is a scary movie. Great. Add another plus to this night. I hate scary movies. Life is filled with enough bad shit as it is.

His arm wraps around my shoulders pulling me close to him. I move to push him away, but I don’t. It would be nice to have one night where I didn’t have to bear the weight of the wall that I’ve built. A night where I can be normal and not broken. I give in to him, letting my head rest on his shoulder. I’m playing with fire here, tempting fate, embracing the devil. And it feels good. His hand slowly strokes my long hair, and my body loses the last bit of tension in it.

“Sorry I’m so late!” I jump from the loud voice. I look over at Jake, and there is a pillow on his lap, when I look at the TV the credits are rolling. I fell asleep. “Well, well, what is going on here?” Tina has a huge smile on her face.

“I um…I.” I have no words. I let myself slip. My weakness took over.

“Well, I’ll see you soon, Sparky.” Jake stands up before leaning down and placing a quick kiss on my lips. He says a quick bye to Tina before leaving.

Tina runs over to the couch. “What happened? This morning you were still so against him. Then I walk in to find you spooning his junk.”

“Spooning his junk? Really?” She just shrugs waiting for my explanation. “I don’t know what happened. After arguing with him multiple times, he snaked his way in here with pizza and a movie. I guess I fell asleep.” I’m not going to tell her about what happened in the kitchen. She’s a bad influence. My mind wanders to the memory though. The way his hands felt on me. It was like he was everywhere, surrounding me.

“What the hell are you thinking about? With the way you just turned red and got all googly eyed I’m gonna say you did more than just fall asleep, hooker.” She nudges my shoulder and I give no indication as to whether she is right or not. “I don’t get it, babe, I mean I have never seen you even give a guy a second look. You obviously like, or at least are curious about this guy. What is holding you back?”

“I just don’t want to deal with a relationship now.” Relationships mean sharing things with another person. Personal things, memories, family stuff, everything I have tried to bury. “I was perfectly fine before Flash walked into my life, and I’ll be perfectly fine once he is gone.”

“Flash?” She starts to laugh. “That reminds me, what is up with the Sparky thing?”

“Ugh, God, don’t even ask.” She arches her eyebrow at me, and I know that there is no way that she will drop this. “Fine, he said it's because I’m always so feisty.”

She gets up and starts walking to her room. “I like this guy, he can go toe to toe with you. He’ll be good for you.”

Or he’ll destroy me.

Chapter Five

Nina

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I groan as my finger swipes the screen and silences the sounds of pure evil. I glance at the clock, 5:30AM. I’m not getting up; this is insane. Screw this I’m going back to sleep. I pull the covers over my head before they are ripped away from me.

“Somehow I knew I would end up needing to drag your ass out of bed. Come on, Sparky.” Tina laughs. Oh great, now she is going to start calling me that.