Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

“River—” My heart pounded so hard that I had to breathe. He was so achingly beautiful even if his lips were pressed into a thin line.

We stared at each other, waiting in silence for the first one to speak up.

“I know that you’re just trying to play a good guy here because of a promise or whatever you and your sister have agreed on. You don’t have to. Let’s face it, you still hate my guts, always will. I could see it in your eyes every time you looked at me. I really wish I could go back to that time and undo what I did to you. And I apologize for that. You seem a good person, but what you did to me was also terrible.” Gah, I was a mess. I knew that now. I walked away from him before I could say something foolish. I needed a moment to myself to think of a plan. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to do or how to deal with my stalker without him hurting the people I cared about.

“River, wait!” On the other thought, maybe I asked the right person after all, and maybe he would be willing to help if I made the right deal.

I stopped and faced him. “I need a job.”

His eyes narrowed, confused. “What?”

“I need a paycheck, and you don’t have to deal with my aggravating and nagging self every damn time.”

He huffed, eyes burning with anger, but still, he managed to radiate pure sexual power. “How could you even go out when someone is stalking you? That doesn’t even occur to you until now? That you have to stay off his radar? And you haven’t been here for an hour, you’re already a pain in the ass.” Ouch!

I managed not to flinch at his insult. I guessed, I just had to suck it up whatever he would throw at me, good or bad. That was the price I had to pay for walking into the lion’s den.

“Let me work for you then.” I thought my eyes just sparkled with hope.

Krew rolled his eyes. “Let’s talk about it later. Come with me.”

I did as he said, and I rode a bike with him. It was noisy and a little bit uncomfortable, but I felt free, and I got to touch the sinewy hard muscles of his abs. This man was nothing like the playboy Kai and free-spirited Krystyn. Krew was quiet, yet magnificent.

“You okay?” he asked me as we rode through the endless road. He offered me his helmet, and now he wasn’t wearing any. I was a little bit worried about him, but I could feel that he could ride safely with confidence and eyes closed.

going exactly? Are you sure you’re not gonna sell me to the highest bidder or throw me back to that asshole?” I joked as I tightened my arms around his narrow waist when he smoothly turned the bike

actually.” I knew he was kidding. At least he tried to lighten up the tension between us. He might have noticed how frightened I was

“Touché.”

and asked for help if I didn’t trust her. What an odd? After what I

was still

fluttered my eyes open, I slowly unwrapped my arms around him and got off the bike. Thank God, I’m still alive. “That was the most dangerous and outrageous ride I’ve ever had, but it’s

someone who

I felt like I just sealed my fate and punched my death card if I tried riding with that thing. I had never been an adrenaline junkie. I would rather have my internal organs and bones inside my body than doing something dangerous. But if

“You okay?”

time in less than an hour, Selik. If I haven’t known you resented me, I would have thought I started

I might have wrung your pretty little neck in your sleep,” he said without remorse, making me flinch.

have made a huge mistake for running away, but I might be able to get through this if Krew could set his anger aside and help me instead, but at this moment, I had to

eventually, Selik. Krystyn likes me, you know.” I

you two have a lot

“Like what?”

the bathroom? Showing the fucking disposable paper cups to the world while half of the population are causing global warming and the others are sleeping

laughing. Oh, that feels nice.

Surprisingly, his brow quirked up. His eyes

fifties something woman pulled him into a tight hug. “Hey, darling.

shutting my mouth

The woman inspected me from head to toe, and she didn’t bother hiding her first

River. A friend of

Luncheon. I’m Anna.” She

have here.” I looked around when they walked inside the Inn. My eyes widened to the view. There were a few wooden tables with chairs scattered around occupied by chatty customers, and they looked like they were not from around here—vacationers? Then a vast land took my breath away—it was the vineyard, huge garden from the other side,