say it again
1264 Words
Chapter 11 — Say It Again
“What do you mean… like no?” I stammered, my voice trembling. My mind scrambled to catch up with his words. A loving couple? What was he even talking about? From the chaos in my head, only one thought made it out—confused, terrified, and yet strangely curious.
“Say it again,” James said, his tone low and teasing, almost like a challenge.
“What?” I asked, brows furrowing, my heart pounding in uneven beats.
“Call me darling again.” His voice barely rose above a whisper, but the way he said it sent a shiver straight down my spine.
“No way. I’m not doing such a thing!” I shot back, glaring at him though my voice came out softer than I intended. Why on earth would I call him darling? Is he crazy? Or worse… lovesick?
But before I could step back, he moved—slow, deliberate steps that shortened the space between us until there was none. In a swift motion, his hands found my waist, warm and firm, pulling me into him. My chest hit his, and the air rushed out of my lungs. His breath brushed against my skin, and for a heartbeat, everything else disappeared—the room, the air, even my thoughts.
“If you don’t,” he murmured, his gaze locking onto mine, “then I’ll kiss you. And if that doesn’t make you budge, I’ll…” He let the sentence hang in the air, unfinished but charged.
“Darling!” The word escaped my lips before my brain could process it, like water spilling over. My voice trembled, and the moment it left my mouth, I regretted it.
James looked up, eyes glinting with amusement and something darker. “Say that again,” he said, his voice rougher now, like he was holding something back.
I shook my head, heat crawling up my neck. “I said I won’t listen! Let me go.” I pushed against his chest, but it was useless. He was solid, unyielding, and the more I fought, the more aware I became of how close we were—how fast my heart was racing against his.
“I gave you a chance,” he murmured, eyes tracing my face as if reading every flicker of emotion there. “Looks like you want me instead.”
My breath caught. “I—what?”
He leaned in, and for a split second, I thought he’d close the distance completely. But instead, he stopped—his lips hovering just a breath away from mine, his eyes searching, waiting. I froze, every muscle in my body betraying me. My instincts screamed to step back, but my heart... my heart wouldn’t listen.
Then, as if realizing the chaos he’d caused, James smirked and whispered, “You’re trembling.”
“Am not,” I said, though my voice was far too shaky to convince either of us.
“Say it again,” he demanded softly, but this time, there was something playful in his tone—less command, more invitation.
I sighed, half in defeat, half in surrender. “Darling,” I said, quieter this time.
He chuckled lowly, the sound vibrating through his chest where my hands still rested. “Good girl. Now call me baby.”
I blinked, confused. “What? That’s ridiculous!”
“Humor me,” he said, his smirk deepening.
I glared up at him, but somewhere between the glare and the pounding of my heart, the words slipped out again. “Baby,” I said in the softest tone I could manage.
His expression flickered—something unreadable flashed in his eyes. “Now honey.”
“...Honey.”
“And sweetie.”
“Sweetie,” I repeated, my voice sounding smaller each time, yet strangely more natural.
He exhaled, almost as if satisfied, and then, unexpectedly, his forehead rested lightly against my shoulder. His arms loosened slightly, but they didn’t let go. Was he… blushing? My eyes widened as I noticed the tips of his ears turning pink.
Wait a second, I thought, biting back a laugh. Wasn’t he the one teasing me?
Gathering my courage, I decided to tease him back. “Why won’t you let me go?” I said softly, tilting my head a little. “I said everything already. But if you want me to say it again… here: baby, darling, sweetie, honey. Is that fine with you?”
His grip on my waist tightened instantly, and his breath hitched. My heart fluttered wildly at the reaction, though I pretended not to notice.
“Or maybe…” I continued, unable to stop the mischievous edge in my tone, “you don’t want me to leave?”
“Yes,” he said simply, his voice low and honest. “I don’t. Let’s stay like this.”
Before I could respond, he shifted, guiding me gently to sit beside him. Then, to my utter surprise, he lay back and wrapped an arm around me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
I blinked. “Like this? No way… I can’t—this is insane.”
But I didn’t move. My heart wouldn’t let me. The silence between us stretched, soft and warm. His breathing slowed, calm and steady, and I could feel it—his heartbeat, rhythmic and comforting beneath my cheek. My own pulse raced in response.
Oh no, I thought, staring at his face. Why does this feel so… right?
Though James and Jonathan looked alike, Jonathan had always been the handsome one—the golden boy everyone adored. But James… there was something about him. The quiet confidence. The way he spoke like every word meant something. And, of course, the way he looked in the dim light—broad-shouldered, tall, that infuriating six-foot-something presence that made my thoughts scatter.
He was dangerous. But at that moment, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
The next morning, the air between us had shifted again. James was back to his cold, distant self, his walls rebuilt overnight. Still, my mind wouldn’t stop replaying the way he’d held me, the warmth of his breath, the small curve of his lips before he fell asleep.
When our eyes met across the room, I froze. My face burned instantly, and I dove under the blanket like a coward. Stupid. Why are you blushing?
A quiet laugh escaped him. The corners of his lips lifted just slightly, trying too hard not to form a real smile.
“My dad wants us to stay two more days,” he said, his tone calm and businesslike, though I swore I heard a hint of gentleness underneath. “If my mom or brother ever inconvenience you, call me right away.”
He placed a card on the table beside me.
“This is linked to my main account. The pin is your birthday. Use it to buy anything you want. I might be back late tonight.”
He turned toward the door.
My heart raced again, but for a completely different reason this time. Should I call him back? Should I just let him go? My mind argued, but my heart had already made the decision.
“Wait!” I blurted out, sitting upright.
He stopped mid-step and looked over his shoulder, his expression unreadable but his eyes softer than before.I didn’t even know what I wanted to say next—but I knew one thing for sure.
I didn’t want him to leave. Not yet.
- Writer
