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As if locking away a secret, I hastily tossed my journal back into my purse, the zipper snapping shut with a decisive click. Dax, elbows resting on the table, leaned closer, his face cradled between his hands. A playful smile flickered on his lips, a silent invitation that sent a shiver down my spine.
My eyes danced anywhere but his, yet I couldn't help but notice the way his tongue darted across his lips, a slow, deliberate movement that sent a jolt through me. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting to maintain control of my traitorous heart. Tresa's ex. The words echoed in my head like a mantra, a constant reminder of the forbidden nature of this attraction.
But the more I tried to push the thoughts away, the stronger they became. My mind conjured up vivid images of him, his lips parted slightly, that same sensual lick playing on repeat. Dear God, not again. Why did I keep falling prey to these enticing visions?
"Says the bully," I countered, his sneering tone confirming my suspicions. I was no longer fazed by his attempts to intimidate me. "Don't flatter yourself by pretending my life holds any significance to you."
"I'm being sincere," he insisted, a flicker of frustration in his eyes.
"Lies," I scoffed, refusing to believe his hollow words. They rang hollow, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of his actions.
He sighed, accepting my disbelief. "That's your prerogative," he conceded.
"And it's a prerogative I exercise cautiously," I retorted, my voice firm.
"Believe me or not, Skye," he began, his voice softening unexpectedly. "I want to change. Not for personal gain, not for fleeting popularity, but for you."
His words hung in the air, heavy with ambiguity. "For me?" I echoed, my voice barely a whisper. What did he mean by that? Was it a genuine desire to transform himself, or a calculated ploy to manipulate me further?
"Just for you," he repeated, his gaze unwavering. "Not for Tresa, not for my friends, not to appease any internal guilt, but solely for you."
His vulnerability tugged at my heartstrings, a stark contrast to the callous persona he usually displayed. Could this be the real Dax, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness? Could he truly change?
But despite my reservations, a part of me couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. My fragile heart, ever the optimist, longed to believe in his words and the possibility of change. Yet, I knew deep down that I needed to resist the urge to be deceived by him again. I couldn't allow my vulnerable emotions to give in so easily.
Dax, with his unpredictable nature, kept me on my toes. I had no clue what his next move would be, making it essential for me to approach with caution. I would be wise to keep my guard up, to protect myself from any potential hurt he may inflict.
In the end, the choice was mine. I could choose to believe his words or remain skeptical. Either way, I had to prioritize my own well-being and ensure that I didn't fall into the same trap again.
A flurry of activity from Tresa's friends caught my attention.
Their urgent whispers and pointed gestures towards the opposite corner of the room were impossible to ignore. I knew, with a sinking feeling in my stomach, that they were trying to alert Tresa of Dax's presence.
Those girls, Tresa's friends, were notorious gossips. Nothing escaped their watchful eyes and sharp tongues. They were a constant presence, buzzing around Tresa like a swarm of bees, their curiosity insatiable.
As Tresa finally turned her head in response to their insistent signals, her eyes landed on Dax. He sat across from me, leaned in close as if sharing a secret, his words lost in the din of the crowded room. The familiar pang of pain crossed Tresa's face, a painful reminder of the hurt he had inflicted in the past. I couldn't bear to be the catalyst for any further suffering.
Torn by a conflicting desire to protect Tresa and a strange pull towards Dax's newfound sincerity, I hesitated. Should I rise and distance myself from him, making my loyalty to Tresa evident? But as I started to move, Dax mirrored my actions, rising to his feet as if determined to bridge the gap between us. His unwavering gaze held a plea, a desperate longing to be understood.
The warmth of Dax's fingertips engulfing mine sent a jolt of shock through my system. It felt like a forbidden firebrand, searing my skin and igniting a wave of unease deep within me. Tresa's watchful gaze, sharp as a hawk's, landed on our intertwined hands, and I felt a prickling heat crawl up my neck. The potential for misinterpretation was as tangible as the throbbing bassline pulsing through the nightclub.
Dax's touch, once playful and nonchalant, had morphed into something more deliberate, more charged.
This, coupled with the curious glances and whispers from the surrounding throngs, made it impossible for me to dismiss his actions as mere happenstance. A tension crackled between us, thick with unspoken desires and the looming threat of betrayal.
I was trapped in a precarious dance, torn between the unspoken rules of friendship and the undeniable pull of attraction. With every beat of the music, every stolen glance from Dax, the line between loyalty and temptation blurred further.
Ignoring him became impossible the moment Dax's hand tightened around mine, pulling me closer with a force that left me breathless. The power shifted, his towering presence a physical manifestation of his dominance. Every nerve in my body buzzed with awareness as he leaned in, his lips a mere whisper away from my ear. The sweet, intoxicating scent of champagne lingered on his warm breath, further muddying my already swirling thoughts.
My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing in the cavernous space of the club. His nearness was both exhilarating and terrifying, a delicious cocktail of danger and desire. I knew I should pull away, break free from this intoxicating spell he was weaving around me. But his touch held me captive, a silent plea for a response that I was both eager and terrified to give.
In that moment, I was suspended in a fragile balance between loyalty and betrayal, friendship and forbidden attraction. The weight of Tresa's trust and the promise of Dax's forbidden embrace hung heavy in the air, threatening to tear me in two.
Overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the moment, words deserted me. All I could manage was a feeble push against his chest, my hands coming in contact with his broad, muscular frame. His sudden shift in behavior left me reeling, a wave of shock washing over me. Confusion clouded my features as I desperately tried to decipher the reason behind his unexpected actions. The uncertainty gnawed at me, my mind a whirlwind of questions as I grappled with the tangled mess that had ensnared us.
But Tresa's unwavering gaze only served to amplify the confusion that raged within me. The weight of uncertainty settled in my stomach, churning my insides as I battled the jumbled emotions threatening to consume me whole.
Amidst the whispers and stares of curious onlookers, I felt exposed, as if I were on display in a reality show. My gaze darted towards Tresa, searching for some semblance of understanding in her eyes, but I couldn’t tear myself away from Dax.
