Bothered about Him

Eve

Sage’s voice dropped lower as he leaned in, our foreheads almost touching. “You say you don’t want this, yet you’re shaking for me.”

I wanted to deny it, but the moment my lips parted to speak, he closed the space between us and kissed me. It wasn’t soft or hesitant. He claimed my mouth with a heat that stole the breath out of me, pulling my lower lip into his and capturing it deeply between his teeth and tongue. My knees nearly buckled from the shock of it. I sucked in a sharp breath, and my hands shot up to his wrists, unsure whether I meant to push him away or hold on to him.

My lips opened as if they had a mind of their own. The second they did, he deepened the kiss, tasting me fully. His breath mixed with mine, warm and unsteady, and for a moment my body betrayed me and leaned closer before I snapped myself back.

Somewhere behind us, Mia whispered, barely audible, “Oh my God.”

I couldn’t look at her. I couldn’t look anywhere. All I could feel was him.

He kept kissing me, slow and hungry, dragging every confused, unwanted, overwhelming feeling to the surface. The moment a small tremor ran through me, he pulled back just enough for his lips to brush mine when he spoke.

“Tell me you don’t want this now,” he said, his voice warm against my mouth.

I tried to form words, but nothing came. Only my breathing did, quick and shallow and completely exposed. Why was this man before me confusing me this much? What does he want? I mean, why does he want me now? 

Mia made another choked sound, half panic and half disbelief. “I swear, I shouldn’t be in this room.”

But I still didn’t let her leave. Why would I?

I was still trying to pull myself together when Sage leaned in again. His eyes dropped to my mouth, his hand brushed my waist, and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me a second time. My breath caught in my throat without my permission.

Then his phone rang.

He paused, irritated, and pulled it from his pocket. The tone of his voice shifted the moment he answered, serious and sharp, like the world outside this room had suddenly demanded all of him. He glanced at me once before turning away.

“I’ll be back,” he said quietly, and then he walked out of the room.

The second he was gone, my knees finally gave up. I dropped straight to the floor, weak and breathless, and Mia rushed forward to grab me before I collapsed completely.

“Eve, are you alright?” she asked, steadying my shoulders.

I glared at her because I didn’t have the strength for any calm expression. “Do I look alright? That guy just kissed me without my consent.”

Mia pressed her lips together like she was trying desperately not to laugh, but the sound still slipped out. A tiny laugh. A bold, ridiculous laugh.

I stared at her. “What exactly is funny?”

Her face softened with embarrassment, yet she still smiled. “Your face is so red, Eve. And you look like someone who wanted it. I mean, you should have seen yourself. Before his phone rang, you tilted your head and leaned in a little.”

Heat shot straight to my ears. I slapped my hand over my mouth and pushed her lightly away, mortified.

“I did not,” I muttered.

“You did,” she said, almost whispering it as if she knew she was risking her life. “You looked like you were waiting for it.”

I stood up too fast, brushed the dust off my clothes, and refused to look her in the eye. I practically marched upstairs, trying to escape everything—him, Mia, and myself.

The moment I reached my room, I slammed the door shut and went straight to the bed. My entire body felt too hot, too aware, too humiliated. I pressed my palms against my face, groaning into them until the embarrassment was unbearable.

Then I grabbed my phone.

My fingers flew across the screen even though they were shaking. I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want to remember. I didn’t want to feel anything he made me feel.

Eve: What happened today should never happen again. Don’t show up in front of me.

I hit send before I could hesitate.

Then I dropped the phone on the bed beside me and collapsed backward, staring at the ceiling like it had personally ruined my life. I told myself I wasn’t going to wait for his reply. I told myself I didn’t care. I even folded my arms and pretended to exhale calmly, like some unbothered queen.

But five seconds later, my eyes slid to the side.

The stupid phone was right there, glowing at me like it knew I was lying.

I held out for as long as I could, maybe a whole minute, before I snatched it up again just to check. Not because I cared, of course. Just to make sure the message was delivered. For… technical reasons.

And there it was.

Seen.

My heart dropped straight through the mattress.

Seen?

Seen?!

I sat up so fast my hair almost flew off. “Did he just snub my message?” I whispered, then scoffed louder. “Did he… did he seriously leave me on seen?”

I stared at the screen again, like maybe my eyes were malfunctioning. Nope. That cold, heartless “seen” mocked me from the bottom corner.

“No, no, no. This guy didn’t just ignore me after kissing me without warning.” I tossed the phone beside me again, then dragged both hands down my face in disbelief. “God, this is so annoying.”

I tried to wave the feeling away, rolling over and burying my face in a pillow. But the irritation wouldn’t leave. It kept buzzing in my chest like a mosquito that refused to die.

So yes… I was officially bitter.

And yes… I hated that it bothered me this much.

And yes… it was still funny in a ridiculous, humiliating way.

But most importantly… he really snubbed me.

And that was the part my pride refused to swallow.