LOGINMITCH'S POV I got back home from work, my body heavy and my head dizzy. I hadn’t eaten a proper meal since yesterday afternoon; I’d completely lost my appetite. I scoffed under my breath. It was hard to believe Lena had her phone all day and still hadn’t bothered to call me. I’d stupidly stayed awake all night, and at the office I couldn’t concentrate on a single thing. What the hell was she thinking? Trying to get on my nerves? I clenched my fists. It was time to put an end to this nonsense. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number, but it wouldn’t go through. That fake audio kept replaying in my head: *She is with me now. Do not contact this number again.* I shook my head. Why was I even remembering that bullshit? I walked to the front door and realized it was unlocked. My heart skipped a beat. She was back? That woman! I barged inside and rushed toward the guest room, but my feet froze halfway when I heard it. A deep, throaty moan floated out from the kitche
"Lena, you are crying.." His voice came softly through the darkness. I held my breath. How could he have heard me? I had been so careful. "Thinking about him? I told you I’ll take you back home tomorrow. I won’t hold you against your will. You should rest. It’s been a rough day for you." He spoke quietly. I didn’t say anything. I closed my eyes and tried to force myself to sleep. It was useless. I couldn’t sleep. My body was wide awake, as if it had been drowned in caffeine. I wasn’t sure if it was guilt or something else. Mitch had done worse with other women. Wasn’t he supposed to feel worse than I did right now? I turned and stole a glance at Tarzan. He sat with his head lowered and arms folded, fast asleep. What could he possibly gain from all this? He wasn’t the kind of young man who lacked options. He could easily get any woman his age. So why did he keep messing around with me? Could it be that he thought I was a rich woman who would turn him into a sugar baby a
Something poked me, and I knew exactly what it was.“No… this is not not supposed to… happen… I… I didn’t mean…I…”“Lena…”He breathed hotly against my skin.“Please let me go!” I snapped.His hands dropped from my body instantly. I scrambled off him so fast I nearly fell again.I stood there breathing heavily, hugging myself.There was another awkward silence.I wasn’t looking at him, but I noticed when he stood up and walked toward the wooden door lying on the floor.I don't know how to feel.Acting like that when I was the one who fell on him and even stayed on top of him longer than I should.I glanced over and watched as he lifted the door and placed it against the wall to create a decent cover over the entrance.After he somehow gave the door a temporary fix, he turned to me.“I’ll go outside now. Sleep tight.”“Wha… what…?”I stuttered.He paused and turned back to me.“What’s the matter?” he asked gently.I looked away, unable to believe I was about to say this.“I… I can’t b
An awkward silence followed my failed attempt to explain myself. We stood there, him still frozen in place. *I can’t believe I went from trying to run away from him to hugging him.* Thankfully, he made a move first, lifted my head and saw him turning toward the apartment. “You seem to be very scared of reptiles. I’ll make sure nothing else is in there so you can sleep comfortably,” he said. My eyes widened. “Are you saying there could be more? Why do you even live here?” I asked, following him. “Here. It’s free… rents are hella expensive. So why not?” He shrugged. “I can protect myself. I guess I wasn’t named Tarzan for nothing.” “It’s still dangerous. Tarzan is a fictional character — don’t compare yourself to him,” I replied with a frown. “Just stay outside. When I finish checking everywhere, I’ll call you in.” “No!” The word flew out before I could stop it. He turned and raised a brow. I swallowed and immediately rushed to his side, standing c
LENA'S POV Scared of the unknown, I stayed alert and refused to sleep until I knew what had made that sound.But the noise never came again. I sighed and told myself I must have imagined it because of my fear.I lay back on the mattress. Just as I was about to close my eyes, something massive shifted in the shadows near the bathroom.“AHHHHHHHH!”I screamed so loudly my vocal cords strained.“Lena? Are you okay in there?” Tarzan’s voice called from outside.“HELP! THERE’S A SNAKE!” I scrambled off the bed so fast I nearly face-planted. I bolted for the door, slamming my fists against it like a madwoman. “OPEN THE DOOR! TARZAN! OPEN IT RIGHT NOW!”It was the biggest snake I had ever seen—thick as an arm, long, covered in dark, scary scales. My phobia kicked in hard. For a moment, I thought I might piss myself or pass out.“Lena, calm down. Don’t move,” Tarzan said.“Hmm-hmm,” I sobbed, my body trembling violently.“You locked the door from the inside. Unlock it.”I tried, but my hands
MITCH POV My phone rang, jolting me awake. My heart thudded like I’d been yanked out of a nightmare. For a split second, I thought of her. *Of course it’s Lena.* She must’ve finally come to her senses and decided to call. I grabbed the phone instantly. “Lena, where the hell are you?!” “Dude, it’s me.” Jake. My jaw tightened. I blinked hard and dragged a hand down my face, checking the caller ID. “Yeah… hello,” I muttered, voice rough with sleep, as I rubbed my tired eyes. “Man… what’s going on between you and Lena?” “Nothing,” I snapped, too quickly. “What do you mean, what’s going on?” There was a pause. “You don’t sound convincing. I got your text, remember? You said you were about to lose your shit. It’s past midnight, Mitch. I figured something serious was up.” *Wait, I texted him?* I sat up slowly, the room spinning for a second. That’s when I noticed it—I wasn’t in my bedroom. I had crashed in the guest room. How the hell did I even get here? “Talk to me, man. W







