The Price of Forever

Questions

I girded my loins and waited for my chance.

They say "there's always light at the end of the tunnel", but in my case, it seems I was trapped in a continuous circle of dark tunnels that sought to ruin my life.

And hell, I wasn't waiting for a light to escape.

I sprang to my feet and ran to the door.

"Hey, would yo_"

His voice caught me just when I was fumbling the stupid door handle that refused to budge.

"What are you doing?"

I swallowed hard as I turned to face him.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice quaking with fear. "Are you going to kill me too?"

What? "Are you crazy!" He snapped and I jerked back.

The door reminded me that I was still trapped in his house when my head banged on it.

"I just saved your life out there."

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'?" He approached me with a little anger flashing on his face.

“Why would you help someone like me?”

I closed my eyes, wishing once again to vanish. He stopped inches away from me and stared down at my face. My breath hitched and shuddered.

"I guess I’ve got a thing for trouble," he said with a grim smile.

He slammed his palm against the wall next to my head, caging me in.

"You still haven't told me what happened."

I stared into his eyes again and, for some reason, I felt eased. I felt his warmth around my neck and his hot breath over my face. My eyes darted down to his lips. And yet, for some insane reason, even now, I found myself wondering how his lips might feel on mine. His chest went up and down.

"I-I was running away from home."

I broke into tears.

He looked into my eyes, searching, probably to see if I was lying.

"I have been hated, betrayed, cheated, used and lied to... and I just lost the only person who would have been my support. I didn't want to go back home because it didn't feel like it anymore."

"I'm sorry."

My boyfriend hates me enough to cheat on my best friend. My mother hated me enough to arrange a marriage between me and a man I had never spoken to in my lifetime, turning a blind eye to the efforts I made for the family... I was already in tears, but I continued.

"And my sister hated me enough to take advantage of the same man I was betrothed to behind my back. My mother didn't care. The man too didn't care."

"I guess I know what that feels like," his voice was softer.

He held my palm with his other palm, and we locked it together. He placed our locked palms on his chest.

We stood in silence, time disappearing around us. Slowly he leaned closer and my wish came true. I didn't vanish, but I could then see how his lips felt against mine.

His lips crushed mine in a kiss that wasn’t tender, it was like fire. Heat pooled low in my belly as his mouth moved over mine with a hunger that stole my breath.

I gasped when his hand slid to the small of my back and pulled me closer, pressing our bodies together. His chest was firm beneath my palms, his scent was even more stunning, and I couldn't resist. This man was a temptation.

“You taste like trouble,” he murmured into my mouth.

“And you taste like danger,” I breathed.

His hand slid lower, gripping the curve of my hip, then teasing the edge of the skin beneath my dress. My body arched into him by instinct. A low groan escaped his throat. He raised one of my legs up and pressed me to the wall.

“I should stop,” he said, his voice rough with restraint as he dropped my leg. You’ve been through too much. You’re not thinking clearly.

I looked up at him, lips swollen and itching for more. My heart pounded like it would explode from my chest. “I am. I want this.”

He swore under his breath and pinned me tighter to the wall.

“If I start, sweetheart, I won’t be able to stop at a kiss.”

My breath caught.

"Then don’t."

His mouth was on mine again, hotter and wilder. This time, his hand slid past my pants. His touch sent a shock through me. I jerked and just when my knees were about to give way...

He broke the kiss and leaned close, lips brushing my ear. My entire body trembled.

He pulled back slowly, like it cost him everything, his eyes dark with things he wasn’t saying.

“Change and go to sleep,” he whispered. “Before I change my mind.”

Then he turned and stormed away.

I put my hands in between my hips, grunting as I tried to keep the bomb he had activated down there in check.

I couldn't figure out the reason he stopped. Was I truly a curse that made everyone hate me? At this point, I was convinced that was true. Or maybe it was something else? Maybe this was just too sudden?

And I couldn't understand why I was so drawn to Ethan. I replayed all that had happened that night, and ended up sleeping on the couch with his face being the last thing I saw.

I jerked up when I felt pressure on my shoulder.

"Get up and get out," he said with furrowed brows, pointing at the door.

"Ethan..."

I was shocked and confused, and I couldn't hide that.

"Keep that name out of your mouth. And leave this house before I do something terrible to you."

He tossed a bundle of notes to me, "In case you're hungry."

He stormed to the door and flung it open. He stood by the door, glaring at me.

I stood up and walked to the door, slowly, hoping he would say a word. He didn't say anything.

His face was full of utter disgust as I walked past him.

Indeed, I was cursed. I broke into tears as I stepped outside. He brushed past me like I wasn't even there. He paused by the door of his car and glared at me again.

"I hope I never see you again," he forced the words through his teeth.

He hopped into his car and drove off. He left me just like Justin left me for Sienna, my own best friend. Just like Mason saw nothing in me and was disgusted by my very presence.

I hated myself too. My heart no longer knew what I felt, but it was heavy. Is this what ultimate sadness felt like? I sank on the pavement at the entrance.

Where would I go?

Just then, a black SUV pulled up in front of me. The door to the backseat opened and I couldn't believe my eyes.

My heart almost sprang out through my mouth when I spotted the occupant of the car.

"There you are," Mason Darrington said with a smirk.

The devil himself had found me. My body shuddered with fear, yet at the same time, I was heating up with so much rage.

Did Ethan sell me out to him?