Brown-Eyed Boy

20: Debt Cleared

DANIEL

“F*ck!” I turned sharply, cursing loudly. I didn't move, though.

How could I have not seen it? All this while it has been staring right at me, but I was a dumbass for not seeing it. Liam is still hung up on Spencer.

I had said 'f*ck' it and went after my deepest desires. I would have devoured his lips sooner, but I needed his consent. Also, I wanted to let him know that he had a choice; that he would always have one. When I halted in my movements, it was to search for any sign of discomfort on his face.

I am still fighting to level my breathing before I face him. He leaned closer and bumped his head on my back as he wrapped his hands on my waist.

“Why did you stop me?” His shaky voice sounded pained, with a hint of desperation.

He tightened his hold on me as he rubbed his face up and down, back and forth on my back.

“ Talk to me, please. I don't understand…” he trailed off.

I turned to face him without saying a word deliberately. I lifted my hand and ran my fingers through his hair slowly, and he closed his eyes and leaned more into my touch.

My fingers trailed to his face and later rested on his shoulders and rather than answer his questions, I asked mine instead.

“ Do you still have feelings for Spencer?”

“No!” He whisper-yelled. Surprise turned to curiosity and then confusion.” How do you know about him?”

“Listen Liam,” I started but flipped me off

“ No, You are going to answer my questions truthfully” He demanded accusingly, heaving with mild irritation. “Did you google me? Is that it?” He asked earnestly, clasping his palms together. Chances are, if he were on his feet, he would have been marching up and down the small room.

I contemplated lying but, if I wanted the truth from him, I should extend the same courtesy.

“I stalked you on i********:, largely out of intrigue, but also because I was attracted to you” I started carefully.

“Before that, I had gone through your file intensively to satisfy my curiosity. I am sorry.” I finished softly and waited for his response.

It's funny how easily situations do change. One moment I was upset with him, but the next I am afraid that he was upset with me. I don't want him to mistrust me, for I have fallen hard and deep. He doesn't know, but I am no longer in control, he is.

We fell in silence, with him twiddling with his fingers, gaze, and mood unreadable.

“I have answered your question, Will you please answer mine in return? “ I prompted, but he still stared at me quietly, probably freaked by my creepiness. I shouldn't have revealed the truth to him, I thought regrettably.

My anxiety grew, and I averted my eyes in despair. “I feel cheated,” he finally spoke up calmly. “You know much about me, yet I have no idea who you truly are.”

He stretched his hand for me and when I held it, he carefully pulled me to sit back on the bed. “I'm not mad…just surprised but also thrilled that the feeling is mutual…” He scratched his head nervously and peered at me once again.

“I do like you, Daniel.” He whispered nervously, and my nerves spiked up.

I believed him; wholly. However, there was a lot I needed to understand. “Your reaction a while back… was mortifying.”

“ I know,” he said, adjusting the thin blanket over his lower body. I gave him a skeptical look, forcing him to speak up. “I have a lot of baggage. “

“ Me too.” I admitted, and it put him at ease.

“What do you want to know?” He asked,

“Everything,” I answered. “ Just don't lie to me, that's one thing I can't stand.”

“I am not fond of lying either,” he admitted frankly.

“Your need for approval only…” He took time and shed some light on his relationship with Spencer. By the time he finished explaining, I understood a lot about it. Like the fact that Spencer was the first and only boyfriend he has ever had.

I kept watching him expectantly because he seemed as if he had more to say. I was in no hurry, so I fell in silence too and let him take his time.

“He set me up, you know.” He muttered bitterly “… it's true I helped him hide the knife willingly, but…” he stammered, tears forming in his beautiful eyes. I couldn't stand his anguish, so I pulled him for a side hug as I squeezed his hands lightly.

“Do you want to stop?” I inquired, but he shook his head stubbornly. I caressed his back slowly, helping him steady his breathing.

“ I have trust issues, and justifiably so.” he went on “I am afraid of being the fool again…” he trailed off, but I understood his point. He was afraid of letting himself be vulnerable.

“I have never dated," I confessed, shocking him. His eyes widened as he stared, waiting to hear more.

“Someone hurt me badly, when I was about your age, someone I trusted. In return, I closed off to almost everyone, apart from Gianna and another friend of mine. Until you stumbled into my life.” I paused to breathe,

“I have trust issues too, more than you can ever imagine. So, I do understand.” I swallowed hard and breathed in deeply through the nose and exhaled by mouth.

Liam smiled through tears I hadn't realized he was shedding and said,

“Maybe we can teach each other how to trust again.” He declared without pushing for more details and I nodded agreeing with him.

“I would love that. “ I confessed, using my palms to wipe away his tears.

“You still owe me a kiss.” He blurted, making me smile as I got up and walked towards the door and locked it.

I proceeded back to his bed, climbed next to him carefully and pulled him into my arms.

I leaned in and connected my lips to his chastely and pulled back,

“Is my debt cleared?”

“ Not even close,” he retorted, grabbing my face in his palms and kissed me hungrily.

I didn't hesitate to kiss back and we both fell into a slow sensual rhythm, giving and taking as we pleased.