Addicted to you

chapter six

~RHYS

Meeting up with her at her house, we started the project, but I found it hard to focus. I moved close to her, unable to stop staring into her eyes—captivating brown eyes that drew me in from the very first moment we met.

Her lips parted as I leaned in. I knew she wanted me to kiss her, but I couldn't. She is too good for someone like me. I’m mess in the head, and I don't want her getting dragged into my life.

She doesn't seem to get it; she’s too hung up on me. Not that I hate it—I love that she’s in love with me, especially because I feel the exact same way. She thinks she’s the only one feeling this connection, unaware that I fell for her first. The moment we met, she didn't notice me, but I noticed her.

I pulled away and turned the other direction, suppressing the urge to touch her. She thinks I don't know her, but I’m even more obsessed with her than she is with me. I know her better than she knows herself.

"Do your part and email it to me," I said, walking away.

She grabbed my wrist again. I hate the effect her touch has on me, making my heart race in ways she doesn't realize.

"Do I need to keep telling you to stop touching me?" I said, yanking my hand back. I turned to face her, and she stared up at me innocently.

"I-I'm sorry," she said, her eyes wide. "I thought we were told to work together."

"Does it look like I want to work with you?" I said, clenching my jaw as I tried to regain my composure.

"I promise not to talk too much. I'll be nice, and I'll stay out of your way for a week," she said. She was already being nice.

She has no idea that I visit her room every night just to check on her, leaving a rose on her window sill before I go.

"Please," she added. I nearly groaned at the sound of her voice.

"Okay," I muttered, walking away. I needed a cold shower immediately.

Stepping out of the bathroom with a towel around my waist, I dried my hair and got dressed. Damien came in and sat on my bed.

"Your mum has been complaining that you've refused to visit her," he said.

I grabbed my phone, avoiding his gaze. "I don't want to go back to that house right now."

Growing up isolated, I didn't have a normal childhood. I was always controlled by my parents, especially my dad, who wants me to take over both his legitimate company and his illegal operations.

I walked over to Damien, took a pack of cigarettes from him, and lit one up. I took a drag, blowing a cloud of smoke into the room.

"Should I get you your rose flower?" he teased.

I threw a pillow at him. "That's none of your business. Get out of my room," I said, shoving him toward the door as he burst into laughter.

I shut the door on him and walked to my closet, looking at the fresh rose I had set aside. I knew how obsessed Myra was with roses, which was why I kept leaving them on her window every night.

~EMILY

Holding my bag tightly after class, I headed to Prof. Wilson's office. He had selected me from the class to join his research team for new drug development.

Opening the door, I ran into a guy I had never seen before. He was remarkably handsome, with a sharp jawline, styled hair, and glasses that suited him perfectly.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone instantly cold.

"I'm here to see Prof. Wilson," I said, looking up at him.

"Oh, you're the girl for the research team. My dad isn't here, so he wants me to work with you," he said.

I nodded, not realizing Prof. Wilson had a son.

"Yeah," I muttered.

"Okay, let's head to the lab," he said, gathering his books.

"We don't usually go to the lab just to do literature research," I pointed out.

He turned back to me. "You researched with my father. He isn't here. You're working with me now, and I'm your superior. So if I say we go to the lab, we go to the lab."

I glared at him. He was being completely rude for no reason while I was trying to be polite. If he wanted to act like a jerk, I could easily match his energy.

"You don't have to be a jerk about it," I said.

He grabbed the rest of his things, ignoring my comment. "I can be whatever I want to be," he said, walking past me out the door.

I stood there, clenching my fists in frustration. I groaned and walked out of the office, reluctantly following him down the hall.

Quick Recap:

"Does it look like I want to work with you?" — RHYS

"I will stay out of your way for a week." — MYRA

"What are you doing here?" — JAMES

"You don't have to be a jerk about it." — EMILY

We finally got a glimpse into Rhys's mind—he isn't as cold as he seems, though James is definitely giving him a run for his money in the jerk department!

Emily is furious, and Myra is still holding out hope to work with Rhys.

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