Private Message by Danielle Torella Read Free Book Online

to protest, but she's out the door. I am alone with him. Double crap.

 
    I slowly turn to see him leaning against my small counter. His tall lean body makes my studio apartment look even more minuscule. He's still wearing his fitted light gray t-shirt and the way he's standing, I can see every ripple of his tight chest and his lean abs. I unconsciously lick my lips. He straightens up and walks towards me. I can feel my breath quicken and my face flush and the next thing I know his arms are around me and I am being lowered onto my couch…what the…
    "Hey, you OK? You got really pale and you started to slump against the door like you were passing out."
    Yeah, I can die now from embarrassment. "Oh, I am fine. I'm probably just hungry and it's really hot it here. Are you hot?" I start to ramble. Not good.
    "No, I am cool. Want me to grab you something from the kitchen?" He asks me while he's already walking away. "A banana would probably be good for you."
    Food does sound really good right about now, so I nod. He's back to my side right away, handing me the banana. I begin peeling it back, and catch him staring at me as I begin to take a bite.
    "What?" I ask with a mouthful.
    He looks back at me with a small smile. "Oh nothing." And then I put it together... Yeah. ha ha, funny. I'm eating a banana . I roll my eyes and finish.
    "What? Have something against bananas?" I nudge his shoulder with my own. He lets out a light laugh and shakes his head.
    "So what did you need to talk to me about that made you hound my friend and bust out your inner stalker to find my apartment?" I ask.
    His head falls to the back of my sofa and looks at me. "Well, like I said I wanted to apologize for my behavior back at the school. I had no reason to snap at you the way I did and then hold you against your will." Oh, believe me, it wasn't against my will. In fact it took all of my willpower not to pounce on him right then and there!
    "Well, I guess I should apologize for not properly introducing myself…Tess." I hold out my hand this time and he takes it. "Ben. Ben Mitchell. It's nice to meet you, Tess."
    He leaves his hand in mine and I don't mind in the slightest. It's giving me the chills yet my body is on fire. He's rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand and the fire ignites low in my belly, causing my muscles to clench in a way I didn't know was possible. I look up into his eyes and they are heavy and hooded. He looks as though he's sad.
    "What's wrong?" Did I say or do something to upset him? I couldn't have, I've said no more than a sentence. I take my hand from his and I stand. Confused, he looks up at me and watches me walk across the room to my stereo dock. I plug in my iPod. Music seems to be the gateway with this man and if I have a chance of him opening up to me, this might just do the trick.
    "My choice this time," I say with a sly smile. I turn my back to him, but I can still feel his eyes on me. I scroll through my music collection and I settle on the first song that pops up: "Amaryllis," by Shinedown. The smooth opening of "stay a while now…" starts up, and I suppose it's fitting, because I really do want him to stay.
    I turn around to find him staring at me, although this time I'm not fearful. Music has this effect on me; it's what gives me my confidence. Like how most people feel when they drink alcohol. "Can I get you anything to drink? I'm not sure how much I have." I walk to my fridge and open it, bending over to inspect the mostly bare shelves.
    "I have Pepsi, cranberry juice, and a little wine left..." I have to stand to look at him so I can get an answer and when I do he's right there. He has got to stop doing that!
    "I didn't mean to startle you," he says, his voice low.
    "Yeah, you kind of say that a lot, you know?" I say with a huff.
    "I'm sorry. I just don't know what to do or say around you, it's the craziest feeling. My gut says to try and get in your pants, but then I know that'll ruin whatever it is we have or