Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

Something had shifted in the air. Krew seemed kinder, cool, calm, and collected—not that I was complaining. Just maybe, he was apologizing in his own way. I could also sense it, and it was all in his eyes as he pinned his gaze at me.

I felt a sudden self-consciousness. The fact that my nipples were reacting to the way he looked at me, I wanted to squirm and dance a Kumbaya at the same time that he finally saw me—noticed me.

He hadn’t done anything to me, yet I was burning inside out. Those reactions I bottled up for years were just started uncorking. If I wouldn’t do anything to suppress it, I might burst into a flame.

My face was probably crimson when I came to realize that opportunities like these didn’t always drop at my doorstep. I was here for a reason--for his help, and not to satisfy whatever unsated needs I had.

But let us be honest, I missed Krew even though he fired me. Now that I was jobless, homeless, dimeless, I badly needed him the most. So I had to agree to his own terms whatever it took. But then he left the room without a word before I could present my proposition. Or more likely, he bolted out. Did I just scare the big bad wolf? Interesting.

After I freshened up, I knocked on his door, hoping I could talk out of him. Or my true intention was to see him shirtless. Jeez, since when did I become so desperate? But I knew the fact that Krew had a body of a god, and he always smelled good as if there was a mind-alter component in his cologne. Unfortunately, he was still in his clothes, now wearing a big bad wolf look. I swallowed down my self-dissatisfaction.

“Yeah,” he answered with disinterest. Wow. He was definitely back to his old self. Now I regretted knocking, and all I wanted was to dash out and disappear out of his sight.

“Um.” Think, River. “I was thinking to make us breakfast.”

“Sure.”

“Are you sure you don’t wanna get some rest?” No matter how hot he was, he also looked tired. “Sure you could use a long nap.” I wanted to hit myself. I sounded so stupid.

“I have work to do.” Of course, he always had.

“Okay.” I left before I could blurt out something inappropriate.

moment I putting them on the plate, Krew emerged to this massive classic kitchen with all his glory and chiseled features. I poured coffee into two cups while he sat

again?” Feigning innocent, I sat across him and took

else I want you to do.” He didn’t even look at

did my best to ignore it and focused back on

groaned his disagreement. “Don’t just agree if you don’t even know what I

still hoping I met you in different circumstances. At least you don’t hate me, or there’s no awkward reunion between us.” Gah, what did I just say? Desperate much, River?

all in the past now. None of us could have foreseen it. And I don’t hate you, River.” Well, that was a relief. But I was more

it you’re asking me to do?” I sipped my coffee.

“A lot.”

get a restraining order against Briar.” I breathed through my nose. “Funny how I could still trust you and your family after what happened. But it doesn’t matter now, right? As you said earlier, it’s all in the past, and the last time I checked,

his seat.

but I followed him to the

in there?” I asked before

mesmerized to see what was before me. I didn’t have any idea Krew could paint.

I didn’t know anything about him at all. There were

paint.” I was sure I heard him right. And it was an order. He was looking at

blinked when he did not look like he was joking. "I-I can’t. I

did this before.” Of course, he knew. He mentioned a conducted background check. “Why did you

to pay my bills. I’m not a professional, and I couldn’t make it a living,” I told him half of

deep inside you, running in your veins. You can’t just forget the things that you loved. Once you hold

from your

that I didn’t even know where to begin solving. Something terrible must have happened to him. I could see it deep in those dark

will if you will tell me one thing about you.