Your Man IS NOT My Mate

I stand there staring at the closed front door for a brief minute, still trying to process whether what just happened a few seconds ago was real, or only a part of my imagination. Officer DéSilver’s voice sounds like muffled whispers but I’m not the least bit interested to find out what he’s saying. All that occupies my mind now is escaping to my room and avoiding him as much as possible.

Midway to my room, however, I pause. Maybe writing a note and leaving it for him would assist me in my quest of avoiding him. I walk over to the table counter and scribble on a piece of paper:

-I’m going to bed, the windows are locked, therefore I’m safe; so, there is no need to check in on me and/or wake me.

-If dad or mom calls again, just let them know I’m sleeping, and they’ll understand; so, there’s no need to wake me.

-Snacks and drinks are in the pantry, and food is in the fridge, if you need anything, you can just get it yourself; so, there’s no need to wake me.

-Any other matters can be discussed in the morning; therefore, there’s no need to wake me.

Signed: Liyah Lee Parker

I nod, satisfied by my brilliant idea and the content of the letter as I place it under his glass of water. I then proceed to make my way up to my room, locking the door behind me, just in case Comprehension isn’t his strong suit.

Flopping onto my bed once again, I can’t help but notice how vastly different my emotions are now. The consuming hate and anger I felt towards him, slowly begins to subside, even though I hadn’t yet forgiven him. I sigh for the umpteenth time, willing my thoughts to rest a while as I fall asleep.

*Pax!*

The sound of an object hitting the floor jumps me from my slumber, and I sit up with a start, frantically looking around my room in search of the source of the sound. My eyes immediately dart to the windows, hoping to catch the presumed intruder red-handed; but, everything seems perfectly intact- no broken windows, not even an out-of-place book, or shifted furniture.

I shake off the sudden bout of anxiety, however, curiosity still demands closure, so, I slowly creep out of bed….

“Ouch!” A pained yelp escapes my lips causing me to instinctively retract my foot as my eyes flick down to identify the object.

My phone?

Oh my gosh, my phone!

I try to think of what it could possibly be doing down there since I remembered resting it.... at the edge of the bed.

Ohhh, I mentally face palm myself, amusingly shaking my head. Of course, I must have kicked it off when I tossed during the night and I guess the revengeful piece of thing decided to wake me up.

I squat down, picking up the phone to inspect its damage. A large crack has formed near the top right corner, clearly from the impact of hitting the floor, and a few tiny chips mar the screen. I press the power button, hoping somehow that the display is unaffected, that way all I’ll need to worry about is replacing the screen, but it doesn’t turn on. I press it again... still nothing. Becoming slightly panicked, I hold it down, counting to 10, praying for a miracle, yet, there is nothing, not even static.

I slump down on the bed, sulking as I turn to the side and look at the alarm clock that sits unused on my nightstand- 5:59 am, not even six o’clock yet. I frown, casting my eyes to the tiny space created by the slightly agape curtains. The sun looks as if it’s barely up, yet here I am, fully awake. I groan, frustrated by this revelation as a yawn leaves my lips. I want nothing more than to snuggle back into my pillows and sleep, but as soon as I lay back down to make this a reality, my bladder profusely objects and I’m left with no choice but to get up and out of bed.

I rush out of the room and swiftly to the bathroom, and after relieving myself, I sluggishly walk back towards my room.

Suddenly, I freeze mid-step as my peripheral vision catches sight of someone lying on the couch. With my groggy brain, it takes me a minute to register who it is. I had almost forgotten he was even here. It takes another second before I also realize that I’m staring at a shirtless Officer DéSilver.

My cheeks instantly flush red, my heart pounding feverishly against my chest as my palms grow clammy. His eyes are closed and he looks so peaceful, so handsome...

“Um, Officer DéSilver?” I whisper, unable to tear my gaze from him.

He doesn’t answer, which prompts me to take a step closer to gain a better look at him.

Oh dear God. Is it hot in here or just me? I start pulling lightly on my shirt in a fanning manner to cool down.

My eyes then widen at the sudden realization, I hadn’t told him where the AC remote was usually kept. In here actually was hot; he was hot…. No, he IS hot, both literally and figuratively and I’m like a moth drawn to the flame.

As I draw closer, I could see sweat beams littering his brow. My breath hitches as I come to a stop beside him and my eyes travel lower as I unconsciously stoop down for a better view.

His breathing is deep and steady, like a sleeping lion, and his chest, glittered with sweat, gently rises and falls. I watch with intense concentration as a droplet travels from his chest down the pathway of his well-sculpted abs. My hand twitches and I resist the urge to reach forward and run my fingertips lightly down the same path.

His eyelids twitch ever so slightly as he shifts on the couch. A low moan escapes him, which causes heat to bloom throughout my body. I close my eyes briefly as I hold my breath, trying not to make a sound, so as not to awake him.

Soon the room goes quiet again and assuming his movements have ceased, I slowly open one eye first to glance at him, his lashes flutter open revealing bright brown irises that are now staring up at me and a lazy smile plays across his lips.

I freeze, suddenly becoming hyperaware of every move I make; every intake of breath I take, every exhale. I swallow thickly, feeling my pulse quicken as I stare back into those hazel eyes that hold me captive. He moves his head slightly to the left side to take in my appearance. His gaze flicks momentarily to my lips before drifting back towards my eyes. He smiles again as though satisfied and my stomach flips, sending an unfamiliar wave of nervousness coursing through my system as butterflies flutter all over my body.

He leans in close. I can feel his warm breath fanning my face as he continues to stare. The air between us feels electric and all I can think about is how soft his lips will feel against mine.

I don’t know why, but I want this, probably more than I care to admit. I forget all about my quest to keep my distance from him as he leans even closer so that we’re just a hair’s breadth away from kissing. My heart rate speeds up with anticipation and….

*RING, RING, RING*

Jolted from the intensity of the moment, Officer DéSilver hastily pulls back, averting his gaze from me as if he had just been snapped out of a trance. His expression morphs back into its usually cold, emotionless, unreadable expression, and instantly, my heart sinks.

The house phone rings again.

“Aren’t you going to answer it?” He snaps, barely glancing at me.

Gosh, what’s his problem? He’s worst than a girl on her period.

I stand to my feet feeling confusion mingled with anger swelling within me as I march to the phone.

It’s mom. My voice instantly becomes calm as I answer the phone. She’s already worried sick about my safety, I’d hate to add more to her worry list.

Of course, as expected, she calls to ensure I am up and getting ready for school, however, I wished that was all to it. Instead, she explains that things aren’t looking too promising on their search, which means, I’m stuck with Officer DéSilver a lot longer than I’d hoped, though I don’t know just how long that would be.

I sigh after hanging up the phone, and turn to see him buttoning up his shirt; the upper portion of his chest still exposed.

Damn, he’s fin... No! I shake my head immediately shutting the thought down, though there’s no denying my emotions are at loggerheads with each other. Half of me is so drawn to him for some unknown, unexplainable reason, while the other half of me despises him.

Now, I’m left wondering just which side of me will win.