Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

“River—” My heart pounded so hard that I had to breathe. He was so achingly beautiful even if his lips were pressed into a thin line.

We stared at each other, waiting in silence for the first one to speak up.

“I know that you’re just trying to play a good guy here because of a promise or whatever you and your sister have agreed on. You don’t have to. Let’s face it, you still hate my guts, always will. I could see it in your eyes every time you looked at me. I really wish I could go back to that time and undo what I did to you. And I apologize for that. You seem a good person, but what you did to me was also terrible.” Gah, I was a mess. I knew that now. I walked away from him before I could say something foolish. I needed a moment to myself to think of a plan. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to do or how to deal with my stalker without him hurting the people I cared about.

“River, wait!” On the other thought, maybe I asked the right person after all, and maybe he would be willing to help if I made the right deal.

I stopped and faced him. “I need a job.”

His eyes narrowed, confused. “What?”

“I need a paycheck, and you don’t have to deal with my aggravating and nagging self every damn time.”

He huffed, eyes burning with anger, but still, he managed to radiate pure sexual power. “How could you even go out when someone is stalking you? That doesn’t even occur to you until now? That you have to stay off his radar? And you haven’t been here for an hour, you’re already a pain in the ass.” Ouch!

I managed not to flinch at his insult. I guessed, I just had to suck it up whatever he would throw at me, good or bad. That was the price I had to pay for walking into the lion’s den.

“Let me work for you then.” I thought my eyes just sparkled with hope.

Krew rolled his eyes. “Let’s talk about it later. Come with me.”

I did as he said, and I rode a bike with him. It was noisy and a little bit uncomfortable, but I felt free, and I got to touch the sinewy hard muscles of his abs. This man was nothing like the playboy Kai and free-spirited Krystyn. Krew was quiet, yet magnificent.

“You okay?” he asked me as we rode through the endless road. He offered me his helmet, and now he wasn’t wearing any. I was a little bit worried about him, but I could feel that he could ride safely with confidence and eyes closed.

or throw me back to

tried to lighten up the tension between us. He might have noticed how frightened I was as I clung to him

“Touché.”

I honestly did. Besides, I should not have gone to Krys and asked for help if I didn’t

The bike stopped. I realized I was still holding tightly onto him, my face pressing

unwrapped my arms around him and got off the bike. Thank God, I’m still alive. “That was the most dangerous and outrageous ride I’ve ever

who

rode with him because I felt like I just sealed my fate and punched my death card if I tried riding with that thing. I had never been an adrenaline junkie. I would rather have my internal organs and

“You okay?”

time in less than an hour, Selik. If I

about that. I might have wrung your pretty little neck in your

be able to get through this if Krew could set his anger aside and help me instead, but at this moment, I had

to like me eventually, Selik. Krystyn likes me, you know.” I followed him to the

have a lot of

“Like what?”

stalkers? Stalking celebrities on social media? Posting selfies, taken in the bathroom? Showing the fucking disposable paper cups to the world while half of the population are causing global

love with your knight. I burst out laughing. Oh, that feels

up. His eyes squinted with a

something woman pulled him into a tight hug. “Hey, darling. You

kitchen?” I asked incredulously, shutting my mouth quickly the moment

to toe, and she didn’t bother hiding

A friend of Krystyn.”

Welcome to my little Uphill Luncheon. I’m Anna.” She shook

to the view. There were a few wooden tables with chairs scattered around occupied by chatty customers, and they looked like they were not from around here—vacationers? Then a vast land took my breath away—it was the vineyard, huge garden from the other side, then trees—lots of