Chapter 29

AMARA'S POV***

After last night I went straight into my bedroom, leaving him there. I thought he'd come after me but he didn't.

I shouldn't have cried in front of him. I shouldn't have said half the things I said. What is wrong with me?

Sleep didn't come easily. After tossing and turning for hours, I finally slept off. Until I felt someone shake me lightly, calling my name. I didn't open my eyes. I already knew it was Dorian. 

“Amara,” he whispered. “Amara.”

I stayed still. Pretended to be asleep.

“I know you can hear me. I'm leaving for a meeting. I won't be back anytime soon,” he said.

I didn't answer. A moment later, he left.

I don't understand this man. First, we had a fight, now he was acting like nothing happened and that pissed me off more. .

I got up later, took a long shower, ate breakfast and decided to leave the hotel. I wasn't going to sit around all day thinking about him. I was going to explore the city alone.

I tried different German delicacies, bought ice cream. I stopped in the middle of a street concert and let myself get lost in the music. For a few hours, I almost forgot everything.

My phone rang at some point. It was Dorian.

I stared at the screen, then shoved it back into my bag and kept watching the performance.

By the time I realized how late it was, the sky has had already started to darken. Getting a cab was a struggle. The language barrier didn't help but I managed.

When I arrived at the hotel, I noticed a few cars parked outside. Police cars.

Then I saw him. Dorian was standing with them. My heart skipped. Was he in trouble? I hurried toward him. “Dorian.”

He turned sharply, worry written all over his face.

“Amara?” his voice broke slightly. “Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere.

I ignored the question. “Why are the police here?”

“For you. They were about to go looking for you,” he said.

“Oh,” I murmured. “Well… there's no need for that, seeing that I'm here. Alive.”

He turned back to them and spoke German. Moments later, they all drove off. I took it as my cue to head back to the penthouse.

We rode the elevator up in silence.

I barely had the chance to settle down inside—

“You didn't answer any of my questions,” he said.

“Which were?” I asked.

He sighed, like he was holding himself back. I knew he was worried but I played nonchalant.

“Where have you been all day? I called your phone multiple times but you weren't picking up.”

“I didn't think I owed you an explanation about my whereabouts,” I said. “Do I?”

“Amara, stop,” he said. “You're driving me insane. I was scared to death, thinking something must have happened to you out there. You don't even speak German.”

“Well, like I said,” I replied. “I'm alive. You don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

“Why are you doing this?” he asked.

“Pay back is a bitch, as they say.”

He stepped closer, pulling me into his arms. I tried to pull away but he held firmly– enough not to hurt me.

“Don't curse in front of me,” he said.

“I'll do whatever I want,” I whispered. 

“Is this about the day I left without telling you?” he asked. “You're acting like a child.”

“It's about a lot of things,” I said, biting down on my lip.

“Don't do that.”

“Do what?” 

He lifted his thumb and gently pulled my lip free. “That.”

Then he hugged me. Tight. Like he needed it. His face pressed into my neck. Before I could think, his lips were there too. My neck, my ear, back again.

I gasped. “Dorian…”

My hands found his face. I pulled him closer.

“Kiss me,” I whispered. 

He leaned in, stopping just inches from my lips.

“Please,” I whispered.

“I can't,” he said. “You don't know what you're asking of me.”

That brought me back to my senses. “Why do you keep doing this?”

He released me and looked away. Didn't answer.

I turned and walked into my room, shutting the door behind me.

That was the last straw. I couldn't keep doing this. I wouldn't.

I picked up my phone and called Jack.