Ashes of Us

CHAPTER FIVE:AN INVITATION TO THE UNKNOWN

The Call

I didn’t know why I picked up when he called.

Maybe because I was still caught in the spell of his presence—the way his voice had wrapped around me at the party, the way his eyes had made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered.

Or maybe—deep down—I had been waiting for it.

The screen lit up with his name. I hesitated, then swiped to answer.

“Sophie.”

That voice. Smooth, deep, edged with something playful.

I swallowed. “You remembered my name.”

A slow chuckle. “I haven’t stopped thinking about it.”

My lips parted slightly. I wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

Tobi leaned closer to the camera, his face coming into view. Dim lighting cast a warm glow on his sharp features—intense, yet effortlessly seductive.

“You’re in bed already?” he asked, his voice dropping lower.

I shifted under the sheets, suddenly aware of how thin my nightwear was. I adjusted the phone, heat creeping up my skin. “It’s late.”

Tobi smirked. “Late for what? Talking to me?”

I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my lips tugged up involuntarily. “For whatever this is.”

He leaned back, rubbing his chin. “This? Hmm… I think this is you smiling while pretending not to like talking to me.”

I scoffed. “I’m not—”

“Busted.” His grin widened. “You should see how cute you look when you’re flustered.”

My breath hitched. My fingers curled into the sheets. “You’re too smooth.”

Tobi arched a brow. “And you like it.”

I didn’t answer.

He let the silence stretch, watching me. His gaze was heavy, teasing.

Then, softly—like it wasn’t even a question—he asked, “Where are you?”

I hesitated. “Why do you want to know?”

“Because I want to see you.”

I exhaled, looking away. I shouldn’t. This was already slipping into dangerous territory.

But my lips betrayed me. “I stay at—”

I gave him the name of my hostel.

Tobi smirked. “Good girl.”

My stomach flipped.

“I’ll be there in ten,” he murmured. “Put on something pretty.”

The Invitation

I didn’t know why I moved.

Didn’t know why I slipped on my sandals, pushed open the door, and stepped into the cool night.

All I knew was that when I reached him, he was already waiting.

Parked on the dimly lit street, leaning against a sleek black car like he had all the time in the world. One hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone to his ear.

His gaze locked onto mine, sharp and unreadable.

My breath caught.

“You came,” he said simply.

“You called,” I countered.

Tobi smirked. His eyes traveled over me slowly, drinking me in.

“You look…” His voice dropped, eyes darkening. “Delicious.”

Heat bloomed in my chest.

He reached out, running a finger along the strap of my dress, just barely touching my skin. “I like this.”

I sucked in a breath. “You’re dangerous.”

His lips curved. “You have no idea.”

I should say no. I should turn back.

But the way he looked at me—the quiet intensity, the pull—made me hesitate.

Made me want to follow.

Tobi reached for the car door, pushing it open. A silent invitation.

My pulse pounded.

Then, before I could second-guess myself—

I got in.

And just like that, I stepped into the unknown.

Tobi had said he would see me soon—and he did. No delays, no excuses. Just like that, he was there, leaning against his car, watching me like he already knew I would come. Like I belonged right there, in that moment, with him.

UNDENIABLE PULL

The car door shut with a quiet click.

I exhaled, the air between us thick with something I wasn’t sure I wanted to name.

Tobi leaned back against the seat, one hand draped over the wheel, the other reaching for the air conditioning dial. He didn’t start the car immediately. Instead, he turned to me, his gaze dark, slow, and consuming.

“Shuga,” he murmured, the word slipping from his lips like silk. “I don’t even know why I needed to see you this bad.”

I swallowed, gripping the hem of my dress. “Needed?”

He exhaled, running a hand over his jaw. “Yeah. It’s insane, isn’t it?” His eyes dragged over me, lingering on my lips before flicking back up. “But from the second I saw you at that party… you got in my head.”

My breath hitched.

“I thought I’d move on from it,” he continued, voice dropping lower, heavier. “But I couldn’t. Not for a second.”

My pulse fluttered wildly. “You barely know me.”

Tobi smirked, tilting his head. “Then tell me. Everything. Because I want to know.”

His words crawled under my skin, warm, seductive.

I licked my lips, and his gaze followed the movement like a predator tracking its prey.

“I—” I hesitated, looking away. “It’s too early for all this.”

Tobi leaned in, his cologne a rich blend of something dark and intoxicating. “Says who?”

I turned to him, eyes narrowing. “Reality.”

Tobi chuckled, low and deep. “Shuga, f**k reality. Have you ever felt something this strong… this fast?”

I held his gaze, my throat dry.

I wanted to say yes. Wanted to say no.

But I couldn’t say anything.

Tobi reached out, fingers brushing over mine, barely there, but it sent a ripple of electricity through me.

“Don’t fight it,” he murmured. “You feel it too.”

I inhaled sharply, the space between us shrinking.

He was too close.

Or maybe not close enough.

My heart pounded as I pulled back slightly, clearing my throat. “I should go inside.”

Tobi studied me for a second, then smirked. “Go on, then.”

I hesitated before reaching for the door handle. As I stepped out, I felt his eyes burning into me.

So I gave him a show.

Slow, deliberate steps. Hips swaying just enough to tease.

I could feel his gaze trailing over me, heavy with unspoken words.

And just before I disappeared inside, I glanced over my shoulder.

Tobi was still watching.

Watching like he was seconds away from doing something reckless.

Like I had just given him a reason to come back.

And deep down, I knew—

This wasn’t the end.

This was just the beginning.

CHAPTER SIX

AFTER MIDNIGHT

Tobi stepped into his house, shutting the door behind him, and a tired breath left his lips. It was late. Too late.

But as soon as he sank onto his couch, his phone buzzed.

Sophie.

A slow smirk curled at his lips as he answered the video call. She appeared on the screen, lying on her bed, her hair spilling over the pillow, eyes heavy with sleep, but there was still that lazy heat in them.

"Miss me already?"

I rolled my eyes, but the way I shifted, pulling the sheets up just a little higher, betrayed me.

"You're the one who called first."

Tobi exhaled, watching me through the screen, his gaze tracking every move I made.

"Couldn’t help it," he murmured, his voice low. "You're in my head, Shuga."

I hesitated, licking my lips. "It’s too soon for all this."

He tilted his head, his voice dropping into something darker. "Too soon for what?"

"For whatever this is," I whispered. "I barely know you."

"But you feel it," he countered, his voice a slow drag of heat. "Tell me I’m wrong."

Silence hung between us. My fingers grazed the edge of my sheets, and I saw the way his eyes tracked the movement, how he focused on every detail.

His grip on his phone tightened.

Damn.

"You should sleep," he said finally, though his words seemed to contradict the look in his eyes.

I smiled slightly. "You should too."

Tobi chuckled softly. "Not happening."

"Why?"

His voice lowered to a whisper, caressing my skin even from miles away. "Because I’ll be thinking about you."

I exhaled, turning on my side. My heart was racing, and for a moment, I felt lost—completely, beautifully lost.

And that’s exactly where he wanted me.

---

A NIGHT DESIGNED FOR SIN

The morning had barely begun, but I felt a restless energy building within me—a flutter beneath my skin I couldn’t explain.

Tobi’s text had been a slow-burning spark in my veins, curling through me like a drug.

Good morning, Shuga.

Just three words. And yet, they had altered the rhythm of my entire day.

I moved around my small room, washing, arranging things, barely noticing the way my lips curved into a smile for no reason.

Everything felt different. The water felt cooler, the sunlight warmer, and even the air I breathed seemed to carry something intoxicating—him.

He had gotten under my skin without even touching me.

And the worst part?

I wanted him there.

My phone buzzed again.

Tobi: Be ready by 7. I’m picking you up.

My heart pounded.

Sophie: Where are we going?

Tobi: You’ll know when we get there.

The words sent a thrill through me, sharp and electric.

Tonight.

Tonight, I would see him again.

And God help me, I couldn’t wait