5. RULES OF DESIRE
208 Words
Chapter 5 — Rules of Desire
The next morning felt heavier than the night before.
Amara barely slept. Every thought circled back to Noah — his voice, his presence, the way he looked at her like he already understood her more than she understood herself.
She walked into the living area and stopped.
He was already there. Calm. Collected. Untouched by whatever tension she felt.
“Good morning,” Noah said.
“We need to set boundaries,” she replied immediately.
His brow lifted slightly. “Boundaries?”
“Yes. This situation… we need rules.”
He stepped closer, slow and confident.
“There are rules,” he said. “You just haven’t noticed them yet.”
“Then explain.”
He stopped in front of her.
“Rule one — don’t pretend you’re unaffected.”
Her pulse betrayed her instantly.
“Rule two — don’t lie to yourself about what you feel.”
Her breath grew uneven.
“And rule three?” she asked.
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes.
“You don’t run from me.”
She stepped back, forcing distance.
“Watch me.”
But even as she said it, she knew — this wasn’t something she could outrun.
- Writer
