Love Me in the Dark

KREW

Before Kai made his decision, he knew the shitload of consequences if he took the bait our PR had put forward for the sake of the company’s future. Going ape was an understatement when I noticed Krystyn started to be irrationally suspicious. So I knew exactly how she felt when River went to her.

The background check was bullshit. I made that up to get her attention, but I already knew many things about River more than I was willing to tell her.

I contemplated putting a camera inside her room, but it was a little bit too much. River would hate me if she found out I was willing to invade her privacy to keep her on tabs. So I came up with a better idea—to transfer her into the room next to mine. That was how I heard her screaming.

I went down to my office to check the feeds if she went out of her room after I left. It made me madder that she would choose to leave than accepting my help. Why did she come all the way here if she would only give up because I found her horrified in a nightmare? Too late, didn’t she ever think? And I knew she was not completely honest with me. I might have to do digging on my own because I was almost certain she was not going to share the full details.

It was five in the morning. I started working even if I wanted to get back to bed. Neither I was in the mood to work out. Before I could scroll with my email, my stomach grumbled, the door swung open at the same time. Good grace. River entered with a tray of steaming cups and a plate of bagels. The smell of butter, sugar, and coffee filled my office, making me hungrier. And hungrier for something else.

“Sorry, I did it again.” She blushed crimson. Cute. I could watch her blush all day. “Bad habits. I hope you don’t mind me joining you for breakfast.” Oh, I don’t mind at all.

I ignored her apology. I rose from my seat, took the tray from her, and placed it down the coffee table. As I made myself comfortable on the couch, I took a huge bite of bagel and grabbed the cup she offered. I realized it wasn’t so bad to have her company as long as she would keep her mouth shut and not minding my business.

There was something about River that was so authentic—she had this genuity in everything she did, and I bet she did not even know it. But her presence and being extremely gorgeous were a distraction most of the time. It was harder to stay focused when I got a constant hard-on even if she was not around.

“You’re hungry.” She settled beside me with a cup in her hand, clueless that I was thinking about her obscenely as frequently as possible.

“I used to wake up in the middle of the night for a cereal.”

She looked surprised, staring at me with wide eyes.

“What?”

“Can’t see you a cereal guy.”

“What do you see me as a type of guy then?” I should not have asked her. My bad.

She shrugged, sipping her coffee. “I don’t know. Maybe you prefer a shot of bourbon instead.”

“I don’t drink anymore. After—” I gulped. I did not continue. I sipped my coffee instead. “Don’t apologize again.” I knew she still felt terrible. Although, it wasn’t entirely our fault. It was Kai who made uncomplicated things complicated, but I had no plan on telling her. “Have you tried taking self-defense classes?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Your class will start

I have a job to do, and I’m kinda

have to

But I can’t afford it right now, Krew. I’m still—broke.” She shut

everything? I can’t remember asking you to pay for anything,

but

with you anymore. Take it or leave it.” Disappointed, I went back to my desk with my cup. Why couldn’t she just say thank you or at least feel excited about the small

tray. Way to work with my communication skills. Well, if she didn’t want to talk, so did

in the office, I went out. The entire house was dead silent. I wondered what

instructor to give her self-defense lessons,

to see her and Aaren in a position that I wasn’t exactly what I expected to see first thing in my gym. My blood rushed up from my neck to my face. My nose was already flaring while watching Aaren behind River as

have just

took the liberty to check her out. River was wearing yoga pants, showcasing her long legs. Her shirt was tied to the back, showing a good amount of her tone abs. I

she beamed

pleasant, but she didn’t seem to care. She turned back her

I trusted him, but I didn’t know why I couldn’t do the same when it came to River.

was just around my age, but he had

if I ended up losing. We did

learn that too?” River was sitting on the floor, watching us with

a few months,”

do that in a few days? I’m a

strikes, swings, kicks, and blocking, I never felt more alive,

was in a defensive move. Back in high school, I was helpless and weak. I was bullied and became the target of the jocks in the school. My family never knew what they had been doing to me

this urge feeling inside me and the need to guard her with my life. I was confident she was safe in the house, but when I saw the horror in her

not only from that lunatic alone, maybe from any men who tried to hit on her. I couldn’t even begin to imagine seeing her with another

River is mine—

in my lungs. He locked me with his arms and legs until I could not move.

blinked and tapped my hand to the floor until he

She was already towering over us, looking

“Nothing to be worried about. We know what we’re doing, but never do this to anyone. Self-control is

replied, sounding

I rose from the floor. River’s face showed she did