Page 81 of Until He Confesses

A ‘sorry’ would work, but it was so simple and direct that I was sure I was going to be the one losing face at the end of the day.

I tried to go the route of a conversation.

“I was in a bad mood tonight,” I said, and he stared at me.

“Sure,” was his response.

I waited, but he didn't say any more, so I was forced to ask myself if this wasn’t the sort of aloofness I had hoped for.

It was, but it wasn't working in my favor at all, and for once, I decided to set my pride aside.

“I'm sorry,” I apologized. “My mom and Anna had taken me unawares, and then I found out that they had called you. It was just very upsetting and uncomfortable for me.”

He kept watching me, which caused me to want to leave once again. But I was well aware that if I did, it would be difficult for us to remain in contact.

"I'm apologizing," I said. "I'll control my emotions better."

"There's nothing to apologize for," he told me. "It's late, and I'm tired. So, I think it's best if you leave."

"You've changed your words," I said. "At first, you said you've lost interest, but now you're tired?"

He stared at me, his brows slightly furrowing, and I could see that I was seriously getting on his nerves. He looked so handsome, and it made my heart hurt. In defeat, I nodded and turned to leave.

Just as I pulled the door open, his hand closed around mine. I was alarmed as he pulled me back into the apartment, and then he shut the door. My back connected with the wall, and then I was forced to stare at him. My heart was beating faster than ever at his sudden reaction, and as he shut his eyes with frustration and lowered his head, I tried to control myself.

"You can't keep acting rudely to me," he said, and I nodded.

"I know. I just thought that maintaining a healthy distance between us would be best."

"There is a healthy distance between us," he said. "We don't have to be friends but treating me disrespectfully is unacceptable. The next time it happens in any capacity, that will be the last time we will be in contact with each other."

I nodded again, completely accepting this. He watched me as though he was considering taking this back, and I truly hoped he wouldn't. But since we were setting down rules, I decided to push mine forward.

"Can I ask that contact between you and my family be restricted?" I asked. "I know that they are familiar with you given our history, but it becomes quite difficult for them to engage with us... you know, when it seems that our relationship is more than it should be."

"Your mom called me," he said.

"I know, I know. I gave your number to her in case of an emergency. I'll tell her not to contact you anymore." I added.

"What if there's an emergency?" he asked, and I was forced to stop.

"We'll handle it."

"No," he refused. "Don't restrict her from reaching out to me in case there's a serious reason to. You could be at work and unreachable, and the same could be the case for Anna."

"Yeah," I replied and lowered my head. "I'll simply let her know not to bother you."

At this point, it seemed we had reached a truce. However, he still wasn't making any move to come closer to me, so I did so. There was just something about how upsetting this night was to me that was cranking up my sexual appetite. I couldn't help but touch him. Since he was wearing only a short-sleeved shirt, my hand was able to directly feel his skin, and I couldn't help running my fingers down his arm.

"I would like to kiss you," I told him. "Can I?"

His response, however, surprised me.

"Wouldn't that be too intimate?" he asked, and I was taken aback.

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LUCAS