15. Lies

His eyes were fixed on the beer in his hand as he was lost deep in his thoughts.

Issac could still taste her on his lips. Sweet and f*cking tempting.

After dropping her at the dorms, he came straight to the club because he needed to f*cking clear his mind.

It irked him that no matter how much he tried not to think about her, her thoughts had infected his brain cells to the point he couldn't stop thinking about her.

Kissing was never part of the plan. It was sudden. The desire to kiss her had set his insides ablaze. He couldn't control it and gave in to the temptation. But that wasn't it. Nothing prepared him for her sweet taste and those intoxicating mewls. She tasted like honey and felt so soft and tender. Whatever happened in that moment was out of his f*cking control. It was as if the taste of forbidden fruit made the beast in him go feral.

He f*cking loved it. Every second of that moment was blissful. Her soft, juicy lips, whimpers, those salty tears, and trembling body.

Oh, f*ck. Just thinking about it was making him hard for her.

Chugging a few gulps of his beer, he retrieved his phone and opened his gallery. He clicked on the first picture, and his heart did a little thump.

He couldn't stop staring at her when she lost consciousness. He sat there watching her like a creep and couldn't help it. She was lying in front of him, defenseless. At his mercy. He couldn't help it as he wanted to capture that moment, so he clicked some pictures and saved them in the hidden folder he specifically created for her pictures.

Issac zoomed in on the picture, and a faint smirk decorated his lips when he saw a small bruise on her lower lip. His claim on her.

He scoffed as his soft gaze turned into a ferocious glare; he was drilling holes in the screen, glowering down at her picture. He hated the effect she had on him to the point he couldn't even restrain himself around her.

Issac lied to her. He just wanted to kiss her. Henry never stalked him. The f*cker didn't have the guts to pull off such a dare if he didn't want to get killed by Issac. Issac lied to her about the whole stalking thing. No reason and no explanation of why he did that. Maybe just because he could, and he wanted to.

It was all fun and games for him, but the way he lost control and her immense effect on him was bothersome. Maybe it was time to put an end to this whole ordeal.

She wasn't even that special anyway.

A couple of days passed, and there was no contact between them.

Leaning against his car in the parking lot, he glared at his phone. She didn't even text him. The last message he sent her that night, greeting her goodnight was also left on seen.

He was the one who was supposed to ignore her, but that girl was avoiding him like the plague. He didn't ponder on it much for the first three days, but it started to irk him when he saw her walking out of her department with that f*cker Archie.

Issac was one hundred percent sure that she noticed him, but chose to ignore him, and after that day, he didn't see her anywhere. It was like she just disappeared.

He was supposed to f*cking ignore her, but he wanted to see her. Feel the softness of her hand.

Issac opened her profile for the fourth time and casually went through her followers list, only to frown when he found Archie in there. That wasn't it; she was also following him.

His jaw clenched as he glared at his phone.

"F*ck it!" He cursed. Getting in his car, he drove to the cafe where she works.

Issac pulled over onto the street on the other side of the road and sat there in his car looking into the cafe as if she would appear and bless him with her sight, and to his surprise, she did show up. The cafe had a glass wall, so it was easy for him to stare inside.

He blinked twice to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Innessa was in an adorable waitress dress that reached her knees. It looked more like a cute outfit rather than a uniform. Her hair was up in a high ponytail with her name badge on her chest.

He couldn't help but admire her as she blessed the customers with her gorgeous smile.

Issac kept staring at her without getting distracted even in the slightest. His face would turn sour every time she'd disappear inside, and then the creases on his brows would disappear when she'd show up again with the orders and her pretty smile.

He sat there in his car for three hours straight, watching her do her work.

His phone blared through the calming silence, making him frown as he answered the call without seeing the caller ID.

"Issac?" His mother's soft voice brought him out of his trance as the scowl faded away and he rested back on his seat.

"Mom, how are you?"

"I'm good. Your father takes care of me well. I was missing my son so much. When are you gracing us with your presence?" Harper asked softly.

"I miss you too, Mom. I'll visit you guys during my semester break. Maddox always whines and misses your handmade pie," Issac said, earning a soft chuckle from her.

"Bring the twins with you. I miss you all so much." She said with a sigh.

"I know, Mom. I'll drag them with me." Harper chuckled.

"Do you remember the Smiths? Our neighbors?"

"Yes, Mom. Their kids used to annoy me," He grumbled.

"Well, Mrs. Smith was asking me about you. She seemed interested in you for her daughter," Harper said.

"Hell no, Mom," He sounded stressed, making her chuckle.

"I know, son, don't worry. I know my son will choose a beautiful soul for himself," she said.

"Yes, Mom. I will," His eyes darted to Innessa as her smile captured his eyes once again.

He talked a little more with his mother before they said their goodbyes.

Issac checked the time and frowned. It was almost dusk.

He thought of stealing a couple more glances at her before leaving, but he frowned when his eyes fell on Archie stepping into the cafe as he took one of the seats. Innessa seemed surprised as she greeted him. There were fewer customers, so she sat across from him, and they talked animatedly. He hated how her eyes twinkled and widened every time Archie said something to her.

With jaw clenched and eyes furious, he stepped out of his car and crossed the road like a blind man seething in rage. He barged into the cafe in a calm posture, walking straight over to them.

Her eyes darted to meet his gaze, feeling his dominating presence before they widened slightly, and her lips parted in surprise.

A good reaction for a starter.

Walking over to them, he paused at her side before grabbing her hand and dropping a soft kiss on the back of her hand.

Innessa was so stunned and taken aback by his sudden presence that she was frozen on the spot.

"Innessa?" Archie's voice brought her back to her senses, and she quickly pulled her hand out of Isaac's grasp.

"You don't have to act," Archie said, looking up at Isaac.

Isaac, who had his eyes focused on the nervous girl, averted his gaze and pinned the motherf*cker with a cold, lethal look.

"What did you say?" His voice was laced with hidden venom as he glowered down at Archie, who looked at him confidently. It was obvious the f*cker didn't know Issac's background.

"Innessa had told me you guys aren't dating. It's all fake to get rid of Henry. You don't have to act in front of me," Archie said with a smile. His eyes gleamed in happiness as he flaunted the news flash on Issac's face.

What gives if he strangles this motherf*cker on the table? Break a couple of his ribs, dislocate all his f*cking joints, and leave him writhing in pain. The thought brought sadistic satisfaction to him. He was so enticed to yield to his thoughts. Issac rewarded Innessa with a vicious stare.

She stiffened when their eyes clashed, and the girl abruptly looked away.

Why the f*ck did she tell Archie the truth? Was it because she was interested in him? And didn't want to miss the chance with him. The more he mulled on it, the more he was inflamed.

"I appreciate that you helped her," Archie said, garnering Issac's attention.

Issac grabbed a chair from the other table and sat with them. His broad frame took up so much space as he stole a glance at her lips, and the bruise was gone.

He wanted to bruise those soft lips again.

Innessa pulled to her feet. "What would you like to order?" she asked with a small smile, staring at Archie and ignoring his existence completely.

"You know the usual," Archie passed her a soft smile, which she returned with equal fervor.

Issac watched the exchange. His blood boiled to the point he thought he'd f*cking explode.

"And for you?" she asked, facing him.

"One black coffee for me, and get yourself some juice and join us," Issac said, controlling the seething rage.

"Innessa always preferred an iced latte," Archie said smoothly. The muscle in Issac's jaw feathered.

"I'll get your orders," she said, walking out of there.

Issac rested his back on the chair, throwing his head back as he closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

What the f*ck was he doing? Taking bullshit from idiots? She wasn't even thankful to him for saving her from Henry. Instead, she was f*cking ignoring him.

"You, okay?" Archie asked softly as Issac's eyes shot open and he leaned forward, glaring at Archie.

"What do you think?" He hissed and was about to punch the f*cker right across his face when Innessa showed up with their orders.

"Can we talk?" she asked softly, peering at Issac, and instantly his anger faded away as he pulled to his feet and followed her to the corner.

"I'm very thankful to you for your help. Henry is not stalking us anymore. He had forgotten about me. I appreciate your kindness and this," She pulled out an envelope from her pocket and handed it to him.

He took it with a frown, half expecting it to be a confession letter from her, but instead, there were a couple of bills in that envelope.

"This is for when you helped me with the watchman. Thank you. And also, I think we should stop our act now. Everything is finally back to normal," she said, innocently looking at him with those pretty eyes and a small grateful smile.

His jaw ticked. His face was void of any emotion. Eyes cold and lethal.

Grabbing her hand, he shoved the envelope back in her hand.

"You're welcome," His deep voice sounded curt as he swiveled on his feet and marched out of the cafe.

She didn't know why, but he looked angry.

Innessa was heading home after work when goosebumps rose on her skin, and she felt someone following her.

She glanced around her and didn't find anyone in particular.

Her pace fastened as she hurried to the dorms. Before she could take the turn, a hand gripped her arm, and she was yanked back before her back was slammed on the wall roughly, causing all the breath to be knocked out of her system.

"Long time no see, beautiful?" Henry sneered evilly, causing a shiver to zap down her spine as she blanched.