Good Girl

Taking her home

*Irene*

I take another sip of my drink, letting the sweet, fruity flavor dance across my tongue. The warmth spreads through me, and I giggle, feeling the world blur around the edges. Benjamin is a fascinating creature, all dark eyes and serious demeanor. He’s intriguing, but there’s something else lurking beneath the surface… a tension that makes my pulse race. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I know I’m drawn to him for more than just his looks, even though I shouldn’t be… after all he is supposedly a bad guy.

“C’mon, Ben,” I tease, leaning a little closer, my voice silky and playful. “You really think the darkness is gonna come for me here? I’m practically glowing!” I twirl a strand of hair around my finger, waiting for him to respond.

“I just want you to be safe,” he says, his brow furrowing slightly. “You have no idea what’s out there.”

“Maybe I do,” I reply, my heart racing with a mix of defiance and excitement. “Maybe I like a little danger… Maybe I am the danger.”

I can see the conflict in his eyes, a battle between the urge to protect and the undeniable attraction thrumming between us. It’s almost intoxicating in its own right. I giggle again, leaning back and surveying the bar. “What’s the worst that could happen? I mean, you’re here, right?”

“Right,” he mutters, but I can tell he’s still unsure what to make of me.

I wink at him, pretending to stumble slightly as I push my drink away. “Okay, how about this? You tell me something about yourself that nobody else knows.” I’m still testing him, I need to see if he’s genuine or if he’s hiding something darker beneath that handsome facade.

He hesitates, and for a moment, I think he might not respond. Then, he leans in, his voice low and sincere. “I’m not the guy you seem to think I am, Irene. I’m just a guy trying to keep the darkness at bay for an evening. Trust me, there are things I’ve seen that you wouldn’t want to know about.”

The intensity in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine, but I can’t help but smile. “I think you’re just being modest. You’re a special investigator, right? You must have some cool stories.”

“Maybe,” he says, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “But I’d rather not share them here. You’re not really in the mood for a lecture on crime. Actually I think it is time for you to go home.”

I laugh softly, leaning in as if I’m about to share a secret of my own. “You’d be surprised what I’m in the mood for.”

He raises a brow and I sigh, “Okay, maybe I am rather tired actually… maybe I should head home.”

Just then, I feel a presence beside me, a man with a cocky grin and an unsettling vibe. “Hey there, pretty lady,” he says, his voice dripping with unwanted charm. “Why don’t you come home with me instead?”

I can feel my stomach knotting, his gaze making me uncomfortable. “No, thanks,” I say, trying to brush him off.

But he doesn’t take the hint. “Aw, come on. Don’t be like that. I could show you a real good time.”

“Why don’t you back off?” Benjamin’s voice cuts through the tension like a knife. He’s suddenly there, standing protectively between me and the man. “She said no. You need to leave her alone.”

The guy scoffs, but there’s a flicker of hesitation in his eyes as he sizes Benjamin up. “And who are you, her bodyguard?”

“I’m someone who doesn’t take kindly to creeps… and I’m a cop,” Benjamin replies, his tone low and dangerous. “Now get lost before you regret it.”

For a moment, I’m frozen, torn between relief and excitement at Benjamin’s swift defense. The guy mutters something under his breath but backs off, shooting me one last disdainful look before retreating to the shadows of the bar.

“Thanks,” I say, my heart racing as I glance up at Benjamin. “I didn’t realize I needed saving tonight.”

He looks down at me, eyes softening. “I’d rather you not put yourself in that position again. I think it is best if I take you home.”

I hesitate, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief. I’m tired, but I also want to linger in this moment… wrapped in his protective presence, with the thrill of danger still buzzing in the air. “Okay, let’s go then.”

As he gestures for me to lead the way, I feel a flutter of nerves. I need to be careful; I can’t let him know where I really live,where my parents live. I glance at him sideways as he opens the car door for me, his gentlemanly demeanor catching me off guard.

“After you,” he says, and I can’t help but smile.

I slide into the passenger seat, the leather cool against my skin. He walks around to the driver’s side, and as he settles in, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m stepping into unknown territory. I glance out the window, heart racing.

“Where to?” he asks, reaching for the keys.

I freeze, panic washing over me. I can’t tell him my parents’ address. I still don’t know for sure if he is safe. So, I do the only thing that comes to mind: I lean back against the seat and pretend to fall asleep.

I hear him chuckle softly, but I keep my eyes closed, feigning unconsciousness. “Irene?”

No response.

“Hey, are you really asleep?”

Nothing.

He sighs, and I can sense him turning the engine on. The vibrations thrum through me, and I try to remain still, hoping he’ll take the hint. I can’t help but feel a twinge of guilt… he’s been nothing but kind, but I need to know if he’s someone I can trust… if the accusation against him is fake.

In the hushed darkness of the car, I can feel Benjamin’s presence like a warm glow, his focused gaze on the road cutting through the night. I keep my eyes shut, heart racing, wondering where he’ll take me. The soft thrum of the engine is almost hypnotic, and I can’t help but feel a mix of fear and thrill coursing through me. I’m in a stranger’s car, heading to an unknown destination, pretending to be asleep. Every nerve in my body is alive, buzzing with anticipation.

After what feels like forever, the car slows, and I hear the crunch of gravel beneath tires. I peek through my lashes just as he turns into a driveway, and my heart skips a beat. The modest house in front of us is charming in a way that feels safe, even though my body is still tense with uncertainty.

I hold my breath as he shuts off the engine, the sudden quiet amplifying the sound of the night around us. I can hear the distant chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. Benjamin opens his door, and I feel the weight of his presence as he steps out, the night swallowing him for a moment before he reappears at my side.

“Hey,” he says, his voice low and steady. “Irene?”

I stay still, just giving a small murmur like in sleep. The door swings open, and I feel his hands, warm and reassuring, wrapping around my arms. “Let’s get you inside.”

He lifts me effortlessly, cradling me against him, and I suppress a gasp. My pulse races as I feel the strength in his arms, the warmth radiating from his body. The world spins slightly as he carries me, the night air brushing against my legs and arms. I’m completely at his mercy now, and my mind whirls with thoughts of what he could do. Will he take advantage of the situation?

But as he carries me through the front door, he’s nothing but gentle. The soft glow of a lamp casts a warm light, illuminating the cozy space filled with books and art. I can smell hints of coffee and something sweet, perhaps a candle or a baked good lingering in the air.

He sets me down softly on a plush bed, the comforter a deep blue that envelops me in a sense of calm. I keep my pretense of sleeping deeply, waiting for the moment when he might reveal his true intentions. Will he betray my trust, take advantage of my vulnerability?

Benjamin kneels beside the bed, and I can feel his gaze on me, a mixture of concern and something deeper. “Irene,” he murmurs, almost as if he’s debating something in his mind.

I feel his fingers brush against my shoes, gently unfastening them and sliding them off my feet. It’s a surprisingly tender gesture, and I can’t help but feel a flicker of relief mixed with a strange sense of intimacy. He removes my coat next, and I feel the cool air against my arms, the fabric slipping away as he places it on a nearby chair.

Then, he tugs the duvet around me, the soft fabric cocooning me in warmth, and I can’t help but feel safe. It’s a gesture that surprises me; it’s not what I expected from the man I was told is a monster. The tension I felt moments ago begins to dissipate, replaced by a sense of comfort I didn’t know I craved.

“I’ll be right here,” he says softly, and I can hear the sincerity in his voice. “Just sleep.”

With that, he stands, lingering for a moment as if he’s reluctant to leave my side. I crack my eyes open just a fraction, catching a glimpse of him. He’s watching me, a mix of concern and something softer in his dark eyes, before he finally turns away, leaving me alone in the dim light.

As the door clicks shut behind him, I let out a slow breath. A rush of emotions floods through me… relief, curiosity, and an undeniable thrill. I’m here, alone in his home, and he’s proven himself to be a perfect gentleman.

My mind races as I pull the duvet tighter around me, warmth enveloping me like a protective shield. What was I expecting? A monster? A villain?

But Benjamin seems to be neither. There’s an allure to him that I can’t shake… a darkness tinged with light, a man who carries burdens, just like me. Perhaps, just perhaps, he is not what I was told.

As I let myself drift into a light sleep, feeling I am safe her, but also knowing I would wake if he enters the room.