Chapter Five

Tara

The next night, I'm curled up in the living room on David's massive brown leather sectional, wrapped in a green plaid blanket—everything in David's house is homey, yet so perfectly masculine, I kind of love it.

Honestly, coming here was the best decision I could have made, even just one night away from my apartment, away from Emily's chaos, has helped me feel more relaxed and ready to focus than I have in years. It's blissful.

As I'm starting a third episode of my favorite reality show, he appears in the room, running a hand through his salt and pepper waves. He's removed the tie and jacket he was wearing this morning and now remains only in his navy-blue trousers and white button down. He has his shirtsleeves rolled up once again, and as he gets closer, I cannot take my eyes away from his delicious forearms. God, what I would do to have those arms wrapped around me. The taste of his grasp I got when I bumped into him in the closet was nowhere near enough.

I should probably stop staring and say something…

Pausing my show, I let out a somewhat mangled, "Hey! How was your day?"

He gives me a soft smile, "It was chaotic… but fine," he says. It seems like he's holding something back, but I honestly don't want to push him in his own home, especially after he has been so generous with letting me stay here, so I respond with a simple nod.

"Anyways," he continues, still standing before me as I am lounged on the couch, looking powerful in a way that only makes me want him more. "I have some time right now, and I was wondering if you still wanted some help studying?"

"Oh my God, yes! That would be fantastic. Let me just run and grab my tablet and textbooks," I say, before rushing out of the room to get my things upstairs.

When I return, David is still standing in the living room, but suggests we head to the kitchen for a better studying atmosphere. Once I have everything set up on the island and we've both taken seats on oak stools next to each other, we begin.

David is brilliant, everything he goes over about biochemical processes seems to be stored in his brain. He doesn't reference my professor's materials once, instead giving me a lecture of his own. I take meticulous notes on my tablet, feeling everything click. It's like I just needed the information to be in his voice to understand it.

As he answers the last of my questions, I feel relief like I haven't felt in months. This man is changing my life. He finishes speaking, and our eyes meet. The depths of his blue eyes appear to darken, and I see his glance drop to my mouth. My cheeks heat, and just as it looks like he's going to lean into me, he announces, "Well, I'm glad you're feeling better about your exams. I have some work to wrap up," and scurries, yes scurries, out of the kitchen and back to his office.

What just happened?

***

Ever since the odd end to our study session a few days ago, it would seem that David has become… distant. I might be overthinking, but I've barely seen him even though we live under the same roof. He's usually out before I wake up in the morning and comes back late at night after I've retired to my room. Even when we run into each other by chance, he responds coldly to my greetings, barely sparing me a glance. I try to tell myself he's a busy man with a company to run and the world to save, but it's starting to feel like he's intentionally avoiding me. I mean what's a quick hello and a nice chat over breakfast?

I glance at the time on my phone. It's almost 8 p.m. and he's not home yet. It's been like this every day since he helped me study and I'm beginning to wonder if he doesn't want me here anymore. I've spent the last few nights studying only in my room, but I intentionally came down to the living room today just so I can catch him when he arrives. I need to confirm if he's really avoiding me or if I'm just overthinking things.

Just then, I hear the sound of the garage door opening, a car door being shut. He must be home.

Soon, he walks in, his tall frame filling the doorway. He looks irresistibly handsome in a dark tailored suit that looks like it was custom-made for his broad shoulders. He's loosened his tie so that it hangs loosely around his neck, giving him a rugged charm. His usually well-groomed waves are a little disheveled, like he ran his hands through it a few times during the day, and it's so hot. His gaze meets mine and my breath hitches as his eyes lock onto mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me. For a moment, time seems to stand still and everything else seems to disappear, even the distance that separates us.

A slow heat suddenly starts in the pit of my stomach, spreading rapidly across my body, causing my veins to thrum with an indescribable urgency. I can't seem to breathe. Or look away from the smoldering heat in his piercing blue eyes.

"Hi…" I mutter, slowly rising to my feet. My mouth suddenly feels dry, and my words come out in an almost-chocked whisper.

He crosses the room and stops a few feet away from where I'm sitting, his expression unreadable as he gestures to the textbooks on the table, the tablet in my hands.

"Studying again?"

"Yeah, just want to have everything nailed down before my exams start tomorrow."

"I see. Well, I don't want to disturb you. Best of luck with your exams," he says, his voice gentle yet distant. "I know you'll do great."

I nod, trying to hide the turmoil swirling inside me. "Thanks," I mutter, barely pushing the word out. His only response is a curt nod before he turns around and starts to walk away from me.

"David?" I call quickly before I can stop myself. He stops and turns to look at me, his brows quaked impatiently. "C-can you spare a minute?"

There's a stutter in my voice, and my heart is absolutely racing.

He searches my face for a second, his eyes momentarily clouding with an emotion akin to worry, but it disappears quickly, replaced by that infuriatingly inscrutable expression of his that makes it difficult for me to guess what he's thinking.

Do you not want me here?" I ask, folding my arms over my chest as if that'd stop my heart from pounding so violently.

He blinks at me, his stoic mask slipping for a second to reveal his confusion. "What?"

"I asked if you don't want me here anymore," I repeat, raising my chin to search his face. "I'd understand if you want me to leave."

"Why would you say that?" David asks, still looking very confused.

"I don't know…" I mutter, shrugging. "It's just… ever since you helped me study the other night, things have been weird. You've barely spoken to me; it just feels like I'm inconveniencing you."

He lets out a dark, humorless chuckle. "Oh really, Tara? Is that what you think, that you're inconveniencing me?"

He starts to advance slowly, causing me to back up until my back hits the wall behind me, my heart pounding in my chest as he looms over me. His proximity is intoxicating, his scent enveloping me like a warm embrace. But beneath the allure, there's a dangerous edge to his demeanor that sends a thrill of fear mingled with excitement coursing through my veins.

I swallow hard, my resolve wavering under his intense gaze. But something inside me refuses to back down, to cower in the face of his dominance. I lift my chin defiantly, meeting his stare head-on. "Y-yes," I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper despite my determination.

"Hmmm," he says, his eyes sweeping my face with a slow deliberateness that has my stomach doing flips. "You have no idea how hard I've been trying to ignore the fact that you're all... grown up," he says, caressing my cheek like his control finally snapped. I am so shocked by his sudden change in demeanor, I don't even know how to reply.

"So," he continues, "did I answer your question? You shouldn't speak so carelessly, darling. You can get burned playing with fire." He drops his hand, but remains in front of me.

"Well, I'm not afraid of fire," I reply, hunching my shoulders. I don't know where the courage came from but suddenly, I want to see what's behind that stony mask he puts on all the time. I want to see him lose control and reveal his true emotions. I want to feel the full brunt of that fire in his eyes.

"Maybe it's you who's afraid," I say, finally finding my voice and arching my brows mockingly at him. "What are you running from, Mr. Armitage?"

His gaze darkens at my challenge, and for a moment, I think I've pushed him too far. But then, to my surprise, a slow smile spreads across his lips, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I warned you, Tara," he murmurs, his voice low and dangerously seductive.

His mouth descends on mine, hard, demanding. And incredibly hot. For the first few seconds, I stand frozen, shocked to my core, and unable to comprehend what is going on. It suddenly feels like every nerve in my body is on fire, consuming me from the inside out. I melt into his embrace, helpless against the overwhelming rush of desire coursing through me.

His lips continue to move hungrily over mine, his hard body pressing against mine, igniting a primal desire that I never thought myself capable of feeling. His hands are everywhere, my hair my shoulders, sliding down my back, then he grabs my ass and grinds roughly into me, dragging his mouth down to my neck.

The gesture is so incredibly hot that I let out a needy moan, my fingers tangling in his hair as I surrendered to the intoxicating sensations flooding my senses. I find myself drowning in a sea of passion, but I'm not fighting for survival.

"Can you feel what you do to me, darling?" He mutters against my neck, grinding his erection harder against my lower body.

I don't have a chance to respond before his mouth finds mine again. The kiss was gentler this time, but no less intense. His hand cups my neck, applying gentle pressure as he angles my neck for deeper access. His tongue slides against mine in slow, sinful strokes, eliciting soft ravenous from my throat.

My hands lock around his neck, desperate to pull him closer to me. His hands continue roving, one moving up my shirt and cupping my breast. With what I assume is expert ease, he finds and pinches my nipple through the thin fabric of my bralette. It's the first time a man has ever touched me like this, kissed me at all, and I can't believe it's happening with David Armitage.

Just has he begins dragging me back to the couch, a phone starts to ring. David wrenches his mouth from mine, muttering a soft curse under his breath. He yanks his phone out of his pocket and glances at the screen. I watch him, wondering how he seems so composed while I feel like I've just survived a whirlwind.

"I need to take this," he mutters, already raising the phone to his ear. "Excuse me."

With a last, lingering glance, he confidently strides away to take the call. I stand there, too dazed to react or even think. I raise a shaky hand to my mouth, slowly trailing my fingers over my lips, wondering if I'm in a dream but the slight tenderness of my lips is a testament that the kiss was real.

I flop to the couch, a silly grin spreading across my face. I suddenly feel like singing, or dancing. Or maybe I'd just keep floating on air like this.

My first kiss was with the hottest man alive.

It was only for a few moments, but I already feel like kissing him is addictive. There's no way I'm kissing anyone else after this. I mean… no one could ever measure up to the standard he set. Not even the heroines in my favorite romance books are kissed so passionately. So thoroughly.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, letting the euphoria of the moment wash over me.

Is this what fulfillment feels like? I wonder, as I wait for David to return.

David comes back to the living room a few minutes later after he's finished with his call.

"Everything okay?" I ask, as he rounds the corner and joins me on the couch. "I'm afraid I have to go back into the office," he replies, not looking nearly as distraught as I feel. I just wanted to spend more time with him.

"I'm sorry I have to leave, darling. I know we haven't been able to spend much time together, and after what just happened, I want nothing more than to spend more time exploring you. But, things at MicroBot are…complicated right now, and I need to go take care of something," he says, with sympathy in his tone.

With a parting kiss on my forehead, David leaves to go back to the office. I have no idea when I'll see him again and I can't help but wonder if the love I am beginning to feel for him is entirely one-sided. He seemed regretful that he had to leave, but maybe I am making something out of nothing. I just want to spend more time with him.