CHAPTER 28 - FIRE AND ICE

In the blink of an eye, it felt like an alarm clock had blasted off inside my mind, jolting me awake with a surge of electricity. Reacting swiftly and without a second thought, I yanked myself backwards, causing the couch to shift ever so slightly. The impact was inevitable as my head collided with the pillowy softness of the sofa, leaving me momentarily stunned and aghast. With a gasp, I tried to catch my breath, my eyes widening in sheer horror at the unexpected turn of events.

I sat there, frozen in disbelief, grappling with a whirlpool of emotions that threatened to consume me. The weight of remorse settled heavily upon my shoulders as I longed to express how sorry I truly was, yet the words failed to escape my lips. My impulsive action—that stolen kiss—had irreversibly altered the course of our relationship, a bond teetering on the cliff of destruction. Overwhelmed by panic, anxiety, guilt, and an underlying fear of losing him, my mind became a chaotic maze devoid of solace. The flood of sentiments swept over me in that moment as I found myself too afraid to meet Eugene's gaze, my tear-soaked eyes desperately seeking comfort from the ground beneath me.

In a moment that caught me completely off guard, a pair of hands delicately cupped my cheeks, their warmth gently lifting my head. As our eyes locked, I couldn't help but be captivated by the mesmerizing intensity of his dark, shining brown eyes. A rush of curiosity washed over me as I noticed his dilated pupils, a sign of heightened desire or perhaps some external influence, but for the love of God, I couldn't remember what. It was as if every fiber of my being began to malfunction, even forgetting the most basic task of breathing. However, all confusion faded away when his soft, pale lips closed the lingering gap between us, connecting us in a moment that was impossible to resist.

I couldn't process the bewildering reality unfolding before my very eyes. Only when the tender seam of his tongue unexpectedly brushed against my lips did a jolt of awareness surge through me, awakening my dulled senses. In that surprising instant, it became undeniably clear: Eugene, of all people, was kissing me. And to my astonishment, this intimate gesture was entirely of his own accord.

My lips parted with anticipation, like they had a mind of their own, ready to yield to the irresistible pull of his touch. With each passing second, a magnetic force surged within me, awakening a fire that threatened to consume my every ounce of restraint. There was no room for butterflies in my stomach; instead, their existence seemed insignificant compared to the fiery inferno that enveloped me. I had experienced kisses before, but they felt like obligatory motions, lacking any genuine connection. Yet, in this moment with Eugene, it was as if we were becoming one, our bodies entwined in a passionate dance that left me craving for more.

Our tongues collided with a mix of passion and excitement, a dance as vibrant as fire and ice. The electric chemistry between us was palpable, wrapping us in a cloud of desire that flared up our senses. I was momentarily blinded by the fog created by our intoxicating connection, but it didn't matter. In that moment, I felt alive. As Eugene raised himself, his towering presence enveloped me, and I disintegrated into his contact. His hands, once on my cheek, now guided me with tender strength, adjusting me to his needs. It was an exhilarating, unforgettable moment of surrender.

While our lips locked in a passionate embrace, my hands too were not immobile. One hand impulsively grasped the collar of his hoodie, while the other ventured towards his tousled hair. His neglected locks, tangled and slightly coarse, failed to deter my longing fingers. Caressing my passions, I thrilled in the heavenly sensation, pulling at his hair with just the right amount of urgency as our kiss intensified. A delicate waltz of bodies ensued as his warmth poured into me, kindling an insatiable restlessness that consumed me entirely. The astounding connection sewed us together, overstepping the limits of mere physicality. I was exploring his mouth with such skill that I could have put 'Dora the Explorer' to shame.

The kiss seemed to stretch on for an eternity, as though time stood still just for us. With my breath growing short, I couldn't resist grasping his hair firmly and tilting his head back slightly, opening up a path for my lips to delve into. Tracing a delicate path from his cheek to his jaw, my lips finally found their destination—his larynx. A deep, primal moan escaped his breath, fueling the fire between us even further. As I sucked on his neck, leaving behind an undeniable mark of passion, I couldn't help but savor the moment, and I didn't even care that it would leave a hickey.

Feeling a ravenous hunger deep within, I found myself unable to resist the pull, especially now that I had captured his spotlight. Eugene didn't stop me, and I was not going to stop until he did, and it didn't seem like he wanted to stop. It became evident that he shared the same fervor, his hands venturing across the curves of my body, and I granted him unrestricted access, allowing him free rein in return for the same privileges.

I was overcome with an irresistible urge, and I couldn't hold back any longer. I literally pulled the clothing from his body, throwing it to God knows where. As my eyes locked on his captivating tattoo, a wave of yearning washed over me. I traced the intricate ink with my fingertips, and instantly, I could sense his body responding, sending shivers down his spine. The enchanting sound of his soft moans and deep groans only fueled my burning passion, leaving me determined to keep going and explore every inch of him without constraint.

As Eugene's fingers tugged on the fabric of my cozy pajama top, my inner voice paused momentarily, arching an eyebrow at me in disbelief. Was this really happening? And then, unexpectedly, he leaned in and planted a tender kiss on the back of my ear, causing my inner self to dance and twirl with unrestrained delight. Apparently, this was happening. I willingly allowed him to remove my outer layer, although I still remained clothed beneath. I had my camisole inside, but that was barely a covering, considering how sheer the material was.

I could practically feel the heat emanating from his hand; his warm skin sent shivers down my spine. With every beat of my heart, its rhythm quickened as the anticipation built within me. Eugene now hovered above me on the couch, seemingly oblivious to the discomfort it expressed under our weight. Right then, I realized I was no longer in control here. The man Eugene once warned me of was unleashed. As his lips ventured south, trailing delicate kisses along my neck, I discovered a newfound pleasure that I never knew existed within those secret spots of mine.

His touch was so swift and subtle that my camisole seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving me with only one piece of clothing to guard my modesty. My upper body felt vulnerable and exposed, and then, with a rush of adrenaline, I could unmistakably feel the weight of his presence on my thighs. It was an electrifying sensation, hard and unyielding, stirring a mix of dread and need within me. He was horny, damn horny.

I wanted it alright, but then something snapped inside me. I was pulled back into a tube, somewhere I didn't want to be. Eugene was right in front of me. He was pleasuring me. He was taking care of me. But I couldn't register it at all. My ears kept ringing with voices I was dying to forget.

"She is a virgin?"

"Just wait till I get my hands on her."

"Dude, take a closer shot."

"Stop screaming, bitch."

"Are we hurting you, babe?"

"River."

"You know you want it, slut."

"I will show her what a guy can do."

"River."

"Who wants to go first?"

"River!"

I blinked a few more times, trying to clear my blurred vision. Finally, Eugene's face came into focus, and boy, was he looking worried. His wide eyes bore into mine, filled with genuine concern. It was one of those moments where you could see every ounce of care written on someone's face. His furrowed brow and parted lips only heightened my own sense of distress, although I couldn't quite recall what had just happened. The last thing I could remember was a sudden blur of movement and then darkness.

Exhaling away the haze of confusion, I realized I was no longer lying on the couch but sitting up, my back pressed firmly against the soft cushions. Eugene was beside me, his hands gently shaking my body as if trying to coax me back to reality.

"River, are you alright? Shit, you are shaking."

With a swift movement, he gracefully scooped up the discarded blanket that lay strewn on the ground and draped it over my shoulders, cocooning me in its warmth. "What happened?" I asked, my voice still groggy from whatever had just transpired. Eugene's voice was filled with relief as he explained that I had experienced a sudden blackout, leaving me sprawled out on the couch. He recounted how he was scared shitless, fear etched across his face like a Picasso masterpiece. As I took in his trembling hands, I couldn't help but appreciate his unwavering presence in that moment of disorientation. It was a stark reminder of the unwavering bond we shared—a friendship stronger than lust. I sat there, silent, feeling too tired to move my heavy tongue.

"It's alright. You are alright."

His gentle voice reverberated within his chest, synchronizing with the rhythmic beats of his heart and creating a symphony of warmth. It was as if the troubles of the world had been momentarily silenced and there were only us, wrapped in an embrace that felt like home. With each whispered word, my tears began to dry, leaving behind remnants of a burden I had carried for far too long. All I felt was overwhelming fatigue, a weariness that had settled deep within my bones. I longed to leave my past behind and escape the clutches of the memories that haunted me endlessly. Yet, as I nestled into the safety of his embrace, I couldn't help but acknowledge the truth that gnawed at the corners of my mind. The past, no matter how hard we try to outrun it, has a way of seeping into the present, casting a shadow over any hopes of a future. I realized that I could never fully escape the weight of my history. It was a burden I would carry, like an invisible chain that tethers me to a past that threatens to consume me.

But even amidst the realization of this harsh truth, there was something undeniably comforting about his presence. It was as if his embrace shielded me from the harsh realities of life, offering a respite from the relentless storm that raged within my soul.

"I am sorry."

Eugene's arms were still tight around me, and he wasn't letting go; instead, he drew me closer.

"Did I trigger something?"

He asked, and I was amazed at how fast he caught on.

"Hmmm... Something I was trying to forget."

I said I was too tired to hide anymore or avoid the topic.

"Were you...."

As the words hung in the air, a heavy silence settled between us. It was as if the weight of his unspoken thoughts could be felt pressing down on the very atmosphere around us. I studied his face, the furrowed brow, and the telltale lines etched deeply around his eyes, and it became abundantly clear that his silence carried a world of worry. A spark of understanding ignited within me, causing the corners of my lips to break into a slight smile. It was a fleeting smile, one that held a mixture of compassion and reassurance. Because in that single, poignant instant, I realized that his concern was not born out of selfishness or indifference but rather out of a genuine fear.

No, Eugene, I was not raped. But I have come close to that."

I wanted to share the rest of the story with him, to let him in on the inner workings of my tumultuous world. Yet an invisible barrier held me back, restraining my words from escaping my lips. It wasn't a matter of withholding the information out of selfishness or a desire to keep him in the dark; it was simply a matter of self-preservation.

The pain and vulnerability I had experienced were still too fresh and raw. Recounting those memories would have meant reliving the anguish that had once consumed me. And honestly, I wasn't ready for that emotional rollercoaster just yet. Sometimes, it's crucial to protect our own well-being before diving headfirst into retelling painful chapters of our lives. It doesn't mean we don't value the other person or trust them enough to share; it simply means we are treading cautiously, seeking solace in our own healing process. So instead, I said the first thing that came to mind.

"In fact, I'm a virgin."

"YOU WHAT??!!"

Eugene extended his arms out and stared at me with a wide gaze. He probably wouldn't have been this stupefied if I told him I had been molested.

"Chill, dude. You are overreacting."

I let out an exasperated sigh, but a mischievous grin immediately crept onto my face. It was evident that he was completely taken aback by what he had just heard, and I couldn't blame him.

"But, you... The rumors... Your... Jesus, woman, you are not messing with me, right?"

Eugene sprang up from the couch and was now pacing back and forth. Seeing him like this brought a grin to my lips. It was amusing to watch him with his restless energy reverberating through the room. Right then, my anxiety was but a distant memory. It was one of the many reasons why I found myself inexplicably drawn to him. Eugene possessed an innate ability to make even the most painful memories dissipate in the blink of an eye, simply by being himself. As my eyes followed his rhythmic movements, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Eugene had unknowingly become the antidote to my worries, the beacon of light that guided me through even the darkest of tunnels. How had fate brought such a radiant force into my life?

"Why should I? But don't tell anyone. Not even Lorraine knows."

I relayed the message, a mischievous smile dancing across my lips and contagious laughter bubbling up inside me. With a playful glance, I quickly scanned the room, my eyes darting from one corner to the other, desperately seeking my missing shirt. The atmosphere had shifted, evolving from a moment of passion to a hilariously awkward situation. The energy between us had transformed, leaving little room for the continuation of our previous activities, especially when this idiot was being overly dramatic. It was as though someone had pressed the pause button on a steamy movie scene, only to replace it with a slapstick comedy drama.

"But... Come on... You acted as if you were a pro. You practically asked me to sleep with you when you were a virgin?"

I laughed out loud, seeing his genuine bewilderment.

"Ouch, that hurts. And I did that only because it was you."

I said, finally locating my camisole among the various items littering my room. With a sense of accomplishment, I quickly slipped it on, relishing the soft fabric against my skin. As I glanced around the room, my eyes landed on my shirt, casually resting atop the flower vase near the television. An amused smile played on my lips as I realized just how chaotic the last hour had been. We were free-spirited, daring, and unapologetically wild.

"But why me?"

I had my hand on the shirt and was just about to take it when, suddenly, his question immobilized me. In that moment, the thought flashed through my mind: Why did it have to be him?

"If you never slept with anyone, then why did you ask me?"

I was overwhelmed with emotion as I stood frozen in place, pondering why I had chosen this particular individual. All the possible explanations that could explain my decision swirled around in my head, yet there was no definitive answer to why, of all people, it had been him.

"I don't know, Eugene. I don't know why you."

My voice was low, and I wanted to tell him more when my phone rang, startling both of us. I turned around, searching for my phone, and finally found it between the couch seats. It was April. I slid the red button down, not wanting to talk to her now. I glanced at Eugene and found him staring at me with a weird emotion. Then our moment was again shattered by another call from Lorraine. What is with everyone at this time? I groaned and ended the call, switching off my phone.

I felt Eugene moving towards me, and this time he looked so vulnerable and overwhelmed, as if scared of what he was about to do.

"River, actually, I knew you..."

Both of our faces filled with trepidation when we heard a shuffling sound outside our door and the unmistakable noise of someone entering pins into the lock. Seconds later, the door flung open, and two uninvited guests barged in with their luggage.

"Surprise!"

April shouted, followed by Lorraine, but both their faces changed instantly once they saw the scene in front of them.

"Shit!"

April cursed out loud, the bag in her hand falling down with a thud. Oh, kill me already!

..........