ELI
I didn't care about the cold biting into my skin or the dull ache in my feet from walking too long in boots that weren't made for distance. All I could think about was Damir.
I had been texting him the whole evening. My fingers shaking, not just from the weather, but from everything anger, sadness, hurt. Begging him to talk to my dad, to stop the stupid date I never wanted to go on. He never replied.
I think I died a little each time I refreshed my phone.
Why was he ignoring me?
After everything?
After that kiss…after the way he held me like I was something precious…how could he disappear on me like that?
I bit my lip, hard enough to taste blood, while the icy wind kept messing up my hair. People passed by, couples laughing, cars rushing past, and still no message, no call. I was so close to just collapsing on the sidewalk like some idiot heartbroken teenager in a cheap drama.
I was so mad at myself for even thinking like that. I never used to be this kind of person. I didn't obsess over people. I didn't lose sleep over someone not replying. I didn't… cry over it.
But here I was, barely able to breathe.
I called him again. My fourth or fifth call. My eyes burned. My nose was runny, and I hated how pathetic I felt.
Then finally…
"Hello."
His voice. I froze.
"Damir?!" I almost choked on his name. My voice cracked, but I didn't care. I was crying now, real ugly crying. "Why the hell did you ignore me? You haven't picked my calls in two weeks! Two fucking weeks! What did I do to you?!"
There was silence. Just his breathing.
"Come pick me up," I whispered. "Please. I don't wanna walk anymore. I don't wanna do this anymore. I just….I just want you. Can't you see that?"
A beat passed. Then he said, quietly, "Send me your location."
I did.
Ten minutes later, his sleek black car pulled up beside me. The second I saw him step out, looking devastatingly fine in a dark coat, I just started crying again.
He opened the door. I didn't wait for him to say anything…i just ran into his arms.
His embrace was hesitant at first. But then I felt his arms tighten around me.
"I hate you," I mumbled into his chest.
He chuckled lowly. "No, you don't."
He was right. I didn't.
I pulled back and looked up at him, wiping my eyes. "Take me to your place."
He stared at me for a second, hesitant.
"I just want to sit with you," I added quickly. "Please."
He didn't say anything just nodded as pulled away and opened car door for me gently…we drove in silence.
When we got to Damir's mansion, the reality of who he was hit me again like a slap. The moment his car approached the iron gates, guards in all black stepped forward, bowed their heads, and opened them in silence. The car drove through a ridiculously long driveway lined with lights and trimmed hedges. The estate looked like something out of a luxury magazine.
The house itself was more like a fortress grand, imposing, a ridiculous mix of old money and terrifying power.
"Welcome back, young master," someone said as he opened the front door for us.
Young master?
I glanced at Damir. He didn't even flinch. Like that was just normal.
Inside was worse. Or better, depending on how you saw it. Chandeliers. Marble floors. Warm lighting. And the scent of something expensive lingering in the air.
I didn't care.
All I cared about was him.
The door shut behind us.
Silence.
I turned to look at him.
"You're rich as fuck," I blurted.
He raised a brow at me, slightly amused. "Just realizing that now?"
I looked down at my feet. My cheeks were hot.
"So, uh… where do you keep your wine?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"You drink now?"
"Just a little."
He chuckled and walked ahead. "Come on."
I followed him into a massive living area, where he poured me a glass of red wine. I took a sip and coughed.
He laughed, genuinely this time. "Still too young for this."
"I'm not a baby," I muttered, glaring at him.
"You sure act like one sometimes."
I felt heat crawl up my neck. I hated how easily he could make me blush.
He watched me with a calm, unreadable expression. It pissed me off. Like he didn't know how much power he held over me.
So I stood up, walked slowly to where he stood, and said, "You know, you broke me when you pulled away after that kiss."
He said nothing.
"I wanted to die, Damir. And you….you just disappeared."
His brows furrowed. "I had to."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't trust myself to do the right thing."
"And what if I didn't want you to?"
He stepped closer. Too close.
"You don't know what you're playing with, Eli."
"I do," I whispered, placing the wine glass on the counter. "And I want it."
"You're 18."
"I don't care."
"I do."
"Then why am I here?" I said, stepping into him until we were chest to chest. "Why did you pick me up tonight? Why do you keep bringing me gifts? Why do you always look at me like you want to devour me?"
He exhaled deeply. I could feel the heat rolling off his skin.
"You're going to destroy me," he whispered.
"Then let me."
I leaned in, slowly. He didn't move.
I brushed my lips against his jaw.
His hands grabbed my waist…but he didn't push me away.
I pulled back, looked up at him, and said, "I'm not going to beg you anymore. But I'm not stopping either."
He didn't speak.
So I walked past him, leaving my glass behind, and walked deeper into his house like I owned it. I could feel his eyes on me the whole time.
He didn't stop me.
And that told me everything I needed to know.
Whatever was happening between us…it wasn't over.
It was just beginning.
And tonight…?, I will make sure he touches me.