Chapter 33

I got up to walk past him, but he held me back as his clouded eyes roamed my red backless lace nightgown clad body like a hawk.

"Debby, I am sorry for not picking most of your calls or replying to your texts. I apologize for leaving before informing you. It was impromptu and beyond my control. Prince Wang was caught in another scandal. GX was in trouble, so I was in an enduring meeting to contain it, but it progressed to a journey into the heart of the situation. You have to understand that."

"I understand, so… it is Ok… Do you know what? No, it is not OK. You knew you were travelling, and you could have included that in your little note and not have me worried or waiting all night. You could have let me go back home instead of assuring me you would be back soon and making me stay all weekend when you knew full well that you were not coming back. You were lying to me, and I am trying to ignore that fact, but I can't. Can you swear that you did not know that journey was coming up, and you allowed me to prepare for our weekend together?"

"I was afraid Christopher could come threatening you again knowing I was not around. I knew about the journey from the break of dawn, and so did Chris. I just wanted to keep you safe. The way I went about it is not right, but I know how stubborn you are. You would have insisted on staying home despite the dangers."

"I know…and that is what scares me. I am a very independent person. I am not comfortable with you making decisions about my life without my knowledge. You lied to me, Sam. That hurts because I tend to trust easily when I like someone, and it makes me question if I can trust you."

"Come on, Debs. Don't you think that is a stretch too far? I was only trying to protect you."

"I feel you don't understand my point. It is the whole thing that transpired this weekend. I become needy, requires unwavering attention and first-grade companionship when I am into someone. It is happening faster than it has ever been for me. I fear that getting attached to an important guy like you would put me in this kind of position often. I did not like how anxiously I waited for you and how worried I was about you. I do not like it because even if I did not mean to or want to, I hurt when you do not answer my calls or do not text me back after texting me first. I guess what I am saying is I realize waiting for you will become my new normal. Maybe I am overreacting, but I am hella crazy, Sam. I am clingy, needy, possessive, and emotional, Sam. I am not the best for you."

He drew closer and placed his forehead on mine as he breathed me in and out.

"It is good that you are needy because it means you need me. It is good that you are possessive because I want you to own me. It is good that you are emotional because it means you care about me enough to feel. It is less lonely to know someone is out there who is affected by your absence and not the absence of your money. I am here right now instead of spending another night in Addis Ababa like everyone else that went on this trip with me because I missed you, and I could not wait to see you. I need you too, Debs. I am emotional when it comes to you too. I am clingy, I am fucking protective, and I do not have to tell you how possessive I am of you."

His thumb that was trailing over my lips held my breath hostage as his second hand ran through the little hairs on my neck and I bit my lip whilst staring at his luscious pairs.

"Don't do that, Debs."

"Do what?"

"You know exactly what I'm referring to. That is if you want to get through this night unbranded."

"Sam."

"I want to be your man, Debs. Be mine... please."

"Samuel…" I could barely get my voice beyond a whisper as he palmed both sides of my neck and his thumbs travelled my throat. He bent to my height with his gaze on my lips.

"Give me a chance, Debs…Let me be yours wholly." My heart opened wide as I gazed beyond the beautiful oceans of his eyes, and I backed away, but he closed the gap right up.

"Do not run away from it…Whatever you are feeling right now, let it dwell. Forget all the alarm bells going on in your head and let my heart abide with yours."

Warmth flushed through my veins as I saw the fire in his eyes, and I lowered my gaze, but his thumbs pushed my face back up.

"Dare that fear, Debs. I am yours for the taking. All you have to do is seize me."

My stomach filled with air, and my head was light as if I was drunk, and all I had at the back of my head was yes. But I could see him through his eyes. I could see his heart through his eyes. I could see his pain, joy and desires, but beyond all that was a thunderstorm and lighting blazing in them and that not only scared me but saddened me because I knew there was nothing I could do to run away from this storm.

I was chasing the storm. I was attracted to the storm, and I was enticed and bewitched by the storm.

My eyelids drew shut as I felt his breath on my nose, and my feet kicked onto my toes as his lips drew closer.

"I am yours. Come get me…if you dare."

He placed a lingering kiss on my forehead and walked out.

You devil!