Sadie
My internship was fast approaching, and if not for anything, I wanted to talk to Zane. I knew he had told me not to fall in love with him, but it was already too late for that. I finally gathered my courage after one of my lectures and called him. The phone rang once… then a second time.
"Well, hello, princess," his voice, low and laced with an edge, came through the speaker.
"Uhm … how did you get my number?" A familiar shiver ran down my spine, a mix of fear and thrill, as his low chuckle reached me.
"Oh, princess, nothing about you is hidden from me."
"Oh…" The single word was all I could manage, my mind racing as I considered hanging up.
"So, princess, to what do I owe this most graceful call?" he asked, his tone mocking my panic.
"I… I wanted to talk to you but… never mind," I stammered, ending the call before I lost my nerve. I felt like I was having a panic attack, but somewhere deep inside, I was thrilled. I knew it was crazy, but I wanted him, even if it meant stepping into his dangerous world.
A few days later, with Ethan and Marcel gone for the semester, I was enjoying the quiet solitude of the house. I missed them, but the peace was a welcome change. The doorbell rang, a surprise visitor, since I wasn't expecting anyone. When I opened the door, a gasp caught in my throat.
He stood there, a commanding presence. Dressed in a sleek black three-piece tux, with black leather gloves and a long black coat, he looked like a king claiming his throne. He walked past me, into the parlour, and settled onto my favourite couch as if he owned the place.
"Hello, princess," he said, his voice a low rumble.
"Z…Zane, w…what are you doing here?" I stammered, a knot of fear tightening in my stomach.
"You wanted to talk. Well, here I am," he said, a careless flick of his wrist dismissing my question.
"I…"
"Look, princess, I told you not to fall in love with me…"
"I'm scared of you," I blurted out, the words leaving my lips before I could stop them. I was surprised by my own honesty, but it felt good to say it.
"What?" he asked, a hint of confusion in his obsidian eyes.
"I'm scared that one day you'll just decide to kill me," I declared, and I was shocked by the newfound confidence in my voice.
"Princess…"
"I understand you don't want my love, but please… can you at least stop pushing me away?" I pleaded, all my desperation pouring into a single sentence.
He let out a low, dark chuckle. "You can't handle me, princess."
"What exactly do you think I can't handle?" I shot back, a spark of anger rising inside me. My regret was instant. Before I could process what was happening, he pulled me into his arms, settling me on his lap. My body was flush against his, and I could feel the raw power in his grip. The musky scent of his cologne filled my senses, making me dizzy.
"Can you handle this, princess? Are you ready to be in a relationship like this?" he asked, his voice a low, gravelly murmur. A shiver ran down my spine as I flushed under his gaze. My instincts screamed at me to run, but my heart had other ideas.
"W…what kind of relationship?" I whispered, unable to look away.
"I won't touch you or harm you," he said with a pause, and I let out a silent breath of relief.
"Then what kind of relationship do you propose?" I asked. His grip on my waist tightened, a possessive gesture that sent another shiver through me.
"You must report if anyone makes you uncomfortable," he said, his eyes darkening. "And…" He paused, his gaze boring into mine.
"And?"
"I will stalk you, monitor your every move," he stated simply. I stared at him, taken aback, the words finally registering. He had said he would stalk me. He meant it.
"S…stalk me?" I asked, as if the repetition would change the reality of the words.
"Yes. If you are ever mistreated and don't tell me, you will be punished," he said, his voice a cold promise.
"Punished? How?"
"That is for me to know, and you to find out, princess," he said, leaning in and sniffing the air around me.
"Oh," I breathed out.
"What is that scent?" he asked.
"Oh, it must be the new shampoo I bought. Is it bad?" I asked, a new wave of nervousness washing over me.
"It is very nice. I love it. Use it from now on," he said, and I found myself nodding in agreement.
"Okay."
"If that's all, princess, I will be on my way. I don't have the luxury of time." He set me down, his touch sending a jolt through me.
"Oh," I said, disappointed.
"What is it, princess?" he asked, tilting my chin up so my eyes met his.
"Nothing… I was just hoping you could have dinner with me, but you're quite busy so…" I trailed off, hoping my disappointment was clear.
"How can I say no to those eyes of yours, princess?" he asked, a rare softness in his voice.
"I…"
"I would burn the world for you, pluck the stars for you, carry oceans for you," he said, and my heart fluttered helplessly. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with him, yet here I was, drowning in my feelings.
"Can I come visit you at the office?" I asked, emboldened by his words.
"Of course, anytime," he replied.
"I'll bring along food for you," I said, hoping to solidify the plan.
"No problem, princess," he said, rising to his feet.
"Are you leaving already?" I asked, unable to hide the pout on my face.
"Don't look at me like that, princess. I was in a meeting before you called," he said, and then turned and was gone.
The thought of him leaving a meeting just to come see me was overwhelming. I collapsed onto the sofa where he had sat, the scent of his cologne still lingering in the air. It felt like a part of him was still with me, a dark promise and a strange comfort. It was a terrifying reality, but tonight, I was going to have a good night's sleep.