Shadows In Durango

*****Sofia's POV*****

During our brief stand off, I could practically hear my heart beating from inside of my ears...

"Daryl went out by the way, so you don't need to worry about seeing him today." Vincent suddenly states, as I swallow the lump which was forming in my throat.

Nervous and on edge, I suddenly look around the room, tucking a wet strand of hair behind my ear to act casual.

"Is there a hairbrush I could borrow?" I find my request leaving my lips, as my tone quivers slightly - betraying my confident act.

Vincent stays silent, making a move towards a drawer before pulling one out and holding it out for me.

I take slow steps towards him, watching his smirk grow as I reach out to take the brush from his outstretched hand - shrieking loudly when he uses the opportunity to reach out and grab my wrist - pulling me closer to him and crashing me into his solid chest.

"Do you like being this close to me Sofia?" He hums, as I open and close my mouth in sheer shock of what he was doing.

He's teasing me... playing with my emotions... taunting me for how I had acted last night...

"I'm sorry... I was an idiot last night..." I find myself mumbling, as his intense stare gazes down at me - causing for me to divert my eyes elsewhere.

He knew just how to make me squirm in fear...

"Why are you so nervous around me? And why do I sort of enjoy it?" He suddenly chuckles, moving an arm around my back to lock me in place. Why was I nervous?!

Maybe because he was the most intimidating guy my age that I had ever met! He was always so arrogant and sure of himself when I was the total opposite!

"Please..." I find myself saying, unsure of what exactly I was asking for with the word as his muscular arms held me still.

"Please what darling? Please will I kiss you again?" He proceeds in a purr like tone, leaning his face down towards me as I lick my drying lips and break out into a sudden cold sweat.

What is he doing? I felt like nothing more than a toy to him at this point... something to amuse him whenever he gets bored...

As I wait for him to laugh and pull back, leaving me on edge and vulnerable, he shocks me completely by actually following through with the kiss - choosing to kiss me for the second time in twenty four hours as my heart stops.

My mind swirls, but I instinctively close my eyes and allow for it to happen - embarrassing myself with how desperate I must seem to him.

This time, rather than it being a simple peck, Vincent bites my lip to which I gasp slightly - giving him the perfect opportunity to shove his tongue into my mouth.

Having never kissed anybody like this before, I try my best, moving my tongue against his slowly before his hands start to loosen up and wonder down my back.

They find my ass, as he gives it a light squeeze - pushing my body closer into him if at all possible...

Feeling hot and flustered, I place my hands on his chest and push him back slightly, breaking away from the moment to regain my composure.

What the hell did he just do to me?!

Looking accomplished, Vincent lets me go fully - offering me the hairbrush as I attempt to find words but none seem to come out.

"Was that your first proper kiss?" Vincent cocks his head to the side, as my cheeks grow red in shame.

What seventeen (going on eighteen) year old has never been kissed?! Not many! Yet here I was...

"Was it that bad?" I swallow, beginning to slowly pull the brush through my drying hair as a distraction.

I was shaking like a leaf at this point, since he had completely caught me off guard for the second time.

It didn't feel real, he was the guy that pushed me around and taunted me at school... not the one wanting to kiss me!

Or so it had seemed...

"Nah you were pretty good. I can just tell from your reaction that you've not been kissed like that - you were tensed up. A little virgin." He chuckles, as my lip wobbles slightly and I force out a lazy smile, trying not to let his words affect me.

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I was mortified to say the least. All I could think was, wait until I tell Emma he damn well kissed me again - while I was sober too!

"Look, this isn't a big deal. A kiss means shit really - just some fun. I don't want you pulling a Daryl on me and getting upset when you see me with other people alright? The last thing I need is another needy girl on my hands!" Vincent's usual comments return as he laughs, crushing what small ounce of hope I had of actually starting to like him.

It didn't even mean anything to him, of course it didn't! He only kissed me for amusement; nothing else.

"Ok, sure." I nod, finishing on my hair with the brush as best I could.

It wasn't fully dry but it would do until it was.

"Let's go see how your friend is coping with Reid." He motions towards the door as I place the hairbrush down on a dresser and eagerly follow him out.

I was beginning to feel suffocated in that space with him alone for so long. After today, he probably won't even look or think twice about me.

It was all just a big game to Vincent...

Heading downstairs, I was shocked to see that the home was not only empty, but spotless. How had they managed to clean up this good in such short time?!

Taking my time to truly admire the impressive home, I follow Vincent through to the kitchen - the same space where everything had gone to shit last night at the party.

I glance to the corner where Daryl had once stood - wrapped up with the red head - as I shake the memory from existence.

It meant nothing, we were nothing. I had been here a week, although it already felt like a damn year by now!

Rounding a corner through into the dining room, I find Emma as she seems to giggle at something Reid was saying to her, taking a moment to notice that we had even came in. "Oh, Sofia, hey!" Emma straightens up, as Reid nods towards me in acknowledgment as my smile remains tight.

Does he seriously think that I've forgotten that he tripped me up at the start of the week?! To make matters worse, it actually hurt too!

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Reid, do you remember Sofia?" Vincent states, as I wish he hadn't.

Reid folds his arms across his chest and nods with a smile, as I fight back every urge to roll my eyes at him.

To think he had Emma fooled, as she giggled and chatted with him as though he was a saint...

"Yeah it's great to formally meet you! No hard feelings now right?" Reid tests, as I push a smile and choose not to actually speak to him.

I just wanted to leave this place... but then I instantly realised that I couldn't, even if I wanted to!

"Crap!" I suddenly mutter aloud, with my whole face screwing up in agitation.

"What's gotten you so feisty?" Vincent raises a brow, as I sigh heavily.

"My house keys are in Daryl's car!" I complain, as the pair of boys snort out a laugh without a care in the world for my situation.

It wasn't even funny! This sucks! I have my second shift tonight at Vincent's damn bar and I had planned to go home before it. How I'll even get there without Daryl taking me home I don't know!

"Chill, you can hang out here until he gets back." Vincent shrugs, as Emma eyes me and nods as though it were a great idea.

"I have work later..." I remind Vincent in a tone that silently said 'you should know that' as he again just shrugs.

"So? I'll drop you over there before your shift if Daryl isn't back yet and I'll get your keys for when you finish?" Vincent states as though it was common sense.

Oh boy... I didn't really want to spend the entire day here... nor did I want to wait for Daryl coming back either.

It was awkward enough already, thanks to me, and more so now after kissing Vincent not once, but twice!

How could things get any worse from here...