Between The Lines and YOU

Twenty

I didn’t know whether to cry or what to feel when I woke up and found him gone from my side. Looking down at myself, bare beneath the heavy blanket, reality hit me. It wasn’t a dream. Something real had happened between us. Even now, I could still feel every kiss, every caress, and that magnetic voice of his when he called me love. I felt bliss. Pure bliss.

Leaning back against the headboard, I wrapped my arms around myself and shut my eyes tight. I had known he would leave me. I had known he would always choose Celine first. Still, I had offered myself to him. I had wanted this to happen. So why the hell did it hurt so much? My tears threatened to fall when the door suddenly opened. I panicked, pulling the blanket up quickly to cover myself, afraid it might be hotel staff or someone else. But shouldn’t they have knocked first? I felt the bed dip as someone sat down beside me. He came back.

The blanket slipped to my chest as I looked at him, biting my lip to stop the smile that wanted to break free. Knox was dressed now. Fresh, clean… he had already showered. I didn’t care how disheveled I must have looked. I didn’t care about anything, except the fear that if I hid under the covers, he might vanish again and I’d realize he had only been a figment of my imagination.

“Good morning.” His voice was sweet.

“Good morning. Sir.” His smile instantly vanished at the title. I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. His moods changed so fast.

“I didn’t wake you because you looked so peaceful sleeping.” He leaned in to kiss me, but I turned my face away. His brows furrowed immediately, his eyes narrowing at me. Always so stubborn.

“I haven’t showered yet, I smell like… like…” Damn it. I couldn’t find the right words. How was I supposed to say I smell like s*x without actually saying it? He chuckled, drawing my gaze back to him. I clutched the blanket tighter, unable to dodge when he quickly pressed a kiss to my lips.

“You still smell good, love.” I flushed crimson. That word love, it always melted me, every single time. I pulled the blanket higher as his gaze lingered on me. For the briefest second, his eyes gleamed with something alive, but then he looked away, clearing his throat. That was new.

“I-I’ll just take a shower.” My throat went dry, I stuttered over the words. Pain flared through me when I tried to move. My body felt too sensitive, too sore, and my breath caught. Damn it, even walking felt impossible.

“Do you want me to carry you, love?” s**t. My face burned in humiliation. I narrowed my eyes at him. He had been a beast last night. If exhaustion hadn’t knocked me out, he probably wouldn’t have stopped.

“This is all your fault.” I muttered, making it clear I meant everything from last night. It had been incredible, earth-shattering even, but damn, it hurt like hell. He only laughed. Part of me loved hearing that sound, seeing him sweet like this. But not now. Not when he was obviously amused at my struggle. As if my pain was his proudest achievement.

“Don’t laugh at me.” I snapped.

He stopped, though a smile still lingered at the corners of his lips. Gently, he helped me stand. Wrapped in the blanket, I shuffled across the floor in small, awkward steps. He kissed my cheek, and I startled when his hand brushed along my bare neck, sliding lower. He didn’t seem ready to let me go, and I had to push him away lightly. He told me he had to step out for a while but would be back soon. To reassure me, he kissed me again, not a quick peck, but a deep, lingering French kiss. I didn’t resist. It felt too good.

It stretched on for several minutes until I pushed him back at last. That was another thing I was learning about him, he loved kissing me. He even sulked when I denied him. I laughed when he chased my lips as I shut the bathroom door on him. A wave of nerves washed over me. What if my friends were already looking for me? What if they thought I had gotten myself into trouble again? I forced myself through the soreness, taking a quick shower. I needed to get home soon. My phone wasn’t even with me. When I finished, I paused in front of the bathroom mirror. My eyes widened in shock.

My body was covered in marks. Hickeys everywhere, especially across my chest and neck. How am I supposed to face my friends now? No wonder he had stared at me last night like he wanted to hang my body up on a Christmas tree. To him, I had been the star, shining just for him. Damn. No wonder I was moaning and lost in pleasure all night. He nearly drained me dry. A monster, truly.

I hesitated whether to step out with just a towel on, half-expecting Knox might already be outside, waiting casually on the bed. After a few deep breaths, I decided to go out. Relief washed over me when I saw he wasn’t there yet. Instead, I noticed neatly folded clothes at the edge of the bed, a top, black silicon pants, and even new underwear. He must have left them for me. I dressed carefully, wincing. Damn it, everything hurt.

Just as I finished and was towel-drying my hair, he walked in. I froze, caught staring at him. He looked radiant, almost intimidating with that glow on his face, the kind that made you fear the sudden furrow of his brows. And then there was his smile, so sweet it refused to leave his lips.

“Sir, can I borrow your phone?” I asked. He said nothing. My plan was to call my friends, I had Ivy’s number memorized. By now, they were probably on their way to the police, reporting me missing.

“Sir,” I called again. Still, silence. Had he gone mute?

“Knox.”

“Hm?” Finally, a response. I bit back a smile. Damn, he was cute. So I had to call him Knox before he’d answer.

“Let me borrow your phone.” This time, he reached into the table, unlocked it with his fingerprint, and handed it to me. My heart clenched when my eyes caught his wallpaper. It was him and Celine, taken in Paris. His words from before came crashing back. He can’t lie to her. He love her.

Then what about last night? Doesn’t that count as cheating?

Before the tears could fall, I went straight to the messages and typed out a text to Ivy. I told her I was fine, that there had been an emergency which explained my sudden disappearance last night. I added that I had borrowed a phone to send this message, and to ignore it if she already saw me later. We’d see each other this afternoon anyway, I had class at two. Before returning the phone, I deleted the message I had sent to Ivy. When Knox finished whatever he was doing, he straightened up.

“Do you want to come with me?” he asked. I shook my head quickly. My mood had shifted again. Moments ago, I’d nearly cried thinking he had left me. Now, I just wanted him out of my sight.

“I’m going home, Knox.” I kept my tone steady, calm. His smile faded, disappointment shadowing that flawless face. If he chose to ignore me later or tomorrow, then so be it. I was used to it. I was hungry, but I’d eat at the condo instead.

He offered to drive me home. I didn’t refuse, partly because I had no money for fare. But his demeanor had turned cold again. The car ride was quiet, heavy. I gave him my address, and after that, neither of us spoke a word. I stayed with my eyes on the window. Then I realized, we weren’t heading toward the condo. I wanted to ask, but my thoughts tangled, the words stuck in my throat.

“Sir,” I finally called out. His brows were knitted tightly, and I noticed the way his grip on the steering wheel hardened. I wasn’t sure if it was because I called him Sir again, or because I’d told him earlier that I wanted to go home. Either way, I didn’t care anymore. I just wanted to leave.

“Your friend replied. They’ll wait for you at school. You need to eat first. We’ll go there together since I also have a class in BS-Architecture.” I didn’t protest. A few moments later, his car rolled into an exclusive subdivision. The tall gates opened, and two guards bowed as we passed through.

In the distance, I caught sight of a mansion, clearly his home. And once again, reality slapped me in the face, I didn’t belong in his world. I was fooling myself to even imagine that he would choose someone like me. As if he’d ever trade his future with Celine for… me. A wave of anxiety rushed over me at the thought of running into relatives who might belittle me again. I glanced at him just as he reached out, took my hand, and brushed his thumb gently over my skin. He must have noticed how tense I was. He took a deep breath, as if restraining himself from snapping or letting his temper flare.

“Relax. It’s just me and my little sister there. In case you’re worried someone might look down on you, I won’t let that happen, Pria.” He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, and suddenly, calm washed over me. Then came that heart-melting smile, the kind that could capture even the most hopeless of souls. I stared at him, still unable to believe I was this close to him… that I’d even touched parts of that maddeningly perfect body.

I’d already seen the furrow of his brows, the flush of his cheeks when he was angry with me. And yet here I was, still unable to comprehend how any of this was happening. I didn’t know what he wanted from me. But my heart wanted him. It felt like my chest would burst every time I was near him, or even just by his presence alone. My heartbeat thundered so hard it felt like a heart attack. No one else had ever made me feel that way. Only him.

After he parked, he was the first to step out. He circled the car, opening my door like a gentleman. Unlike earlier, his mood now seemed lighter, almost good. The first thing I did was take in the towering, expansive mansion. Marble statues decorated the grounds. With a small remote, he pressed a button and the door swung open automatically. I couldn’t stop myself from muttering silently. Lucky bastard. He looked back at me.

“Come,” he said simply, leading the way inside while I followed. The living area was massive.

Even here, I saw original Vincent van Gogh paintings. The staircase was so grand it looked like it could lead straight to heaven. I couldn’t even begin to name half the expensive items displayed inside. Rows of vases in different styles and designs lined the shelves, each probably worth more than my entire life. One of those paintings alone cost more than I could ever hope to earn in a lifetime.

“Ares!” I froze when I saw a beautiful young girl on a skateboard heading straight toward me. I managed to dodge, but she lost her balance and crashed to the floor with a loud thud.

“Damn it, Scarlett. Careful.” Knox rushed over to help his little sister.

So, he actually had a sibling. I’d read in a magazine that his parents had separated and each already had their own families. I was certain he was the only child, at least, that’s what all the articles said. He must know that by bringing me here, he was letting me cross into the privacy of his life. I wasn’t the type to gossip or spread around what I knew. But still, the fact that he brought me here… it confused the hell out of me. Unlike him, Scarlett’s aura was sweet and charming.

Because Him? He was intimidating. Serious. The type who could make you say yes before you even realized it, one of Satan’s top competitors for the throne. I guessed Scarlett was a teenager, judging from her figure. They shared the same nose and face shape, though Scarlett’s eyes weren’t as narrow. I just stood there, watching the two of them. Knox looked every bit the nagging parent, while Scarlett didn’t seem to be listening at all. Instead, she just beamed at me, grinning from ear to ear.

“Haven’t I told you that you’re not allowed to use your skateboard anymore? Scarlett, you’re going to be the death of me.” His voice was sharp with anger, yet still laced with concern.

“Who is she, Ares? Is she your gift to me?”

“What? Who—No, of course—” I almost laughed. For the first time, someone had managed to cut him off before he could finish. Taste of your own medicine, Knox. Deserved. Serves you right.

Before I could even react, Scarlett walked straight up to me and extended her hand, still smiling widely. Freaking hell. She had blue eyes. I blinked several times, starstruck by her beauty. I mean, Knox was already more handsome than any human being had a right to be, but his sister? Damn. She was no less stunning. Of course. They were siblings.

“Hi, I’m Creizia Irish Sandoval.” I accepted her offered hand. She looked around sixteen or seventeen.

“I’m—” But she cut me off again.

“Bestfriend.” I pulled back my hand when it seemed like she had no intention of letting it go.

“Ha?” Habibi. What best friend is she talking about?

“You’re my best friend. You're Ares gift for me.” Yep. Definitely siblings. Beautiful, but with a few screws loose. She quickly looped her arm through mine.

“Goodness, Scarlett. She’s not my gift to you, okay? She’s my student. And can you please change your clothes? No more skating.”

“But—”

“Creizia. Go. To. Your. Room. Now.” He stressed each word with authority. Scarlett pouted, stomped her foot, grabbed her skateboard, and trudged upstairs. Then his gaze shifted back to me, his eyes scanning me up and down. What the hell was that? The audacity. I wasn’t even doing anything.

“You can watch TV. Wait for me, I’ll change my clothes.” I just nodded. I guess this was normal when you’re filthy rich. Changing clothes every few minutes. Meanwhile, me? I’d just swap into my school uniform and I’d be ready to go.