If Only

Chapter Seventeen: Unveiling Vulnerability

"Some creep? Like you?" I quipped, attempting to lighten the mood, but Jared responded with a nonverbal 'Fuck you.'

"Where were you, anyway? I called you! I called you several times, and it went straight to voicemail... and you didn't even respond to my messages! And then you show up all of a sudden?! What the hell is wrong with you?" I hissed, my voice dripping with frustration. I made one last attempt to free my hand, but it proved futile.

I finally gave up and remained limp under his hold, refusing to meet his gaze as a sign of my displeasure.

He attempted to close the gap between our faces, bringing his lips closer to mine in a bid to make amends. However, I resisted by moving my face to the side, still unwilling to give in.

I felt him sigh in resignation. "Okay, fine... I took care of something," he admitted, finally releasing my wrists.

I crossed my arms over my chest, keeping my glare firmly in place.

"And what could that possibly be?"

"Some business... nothing for you to worry about because I'm here now," he explained, spreading his arms with a grin, which only made him look adorably goofy.

I was one of those people who found it impossible to stay mad when someone was trying to make amends, and my stern expression slowly transformed into a silly smile that I couldn't suppress.

"I hate you... you know that," I muttered, turning away so he couldn't see my smile.

I started to walk away, but I could hear his footsteps behind me.

"I know. Now, can I get a kiss?" he asked with a slightly playful tone, sounding a bit like a child. I spun around in disbelief.

"You decide to take a sudden day off and then show up here, and now you're asking for a kiss? You must have had quite the childhood, huh?"

He chuckled in response, running his fingers through his hair. Stepping closer to me, he closed the distance between us and captured my lips with his. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer and causing me to emit a soft sound of acquiescence.

I let go of my stubbornness and surrendered to his touch, as I often did. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to be carried away by the sensations, relinquishing control and letting my body take over. My arms snaked around his neck, pulling him as close as I could.

The temperature inside my room soared, and goosebumps erupted across my skin as I felt his other hand cup my cheek. The heat continued to rise as he performed that tantalizing maneuver with my lips, releasing my bottom lip ever so slowly from between his teeth and then catching it again, savoring the sensation as if it were the last time.

He guided me backward with his movement until my back pressed against the wooden door. Suddenly, something struck me— the door wasn't locked.

As I pulled away from our passionate kiss to glance at my hand, I swiftly locked the door to ensure my mom wouldn't barge in. When I turned back to Jared, he wore a smug expression, clearly teasing me.

"Don't say a word," I warned, silencing any potential protests with a hungry kiss.

A deep, satisfied moan escaped Jared's lips, and I was determined to make him moan again. His silence was torturous, and I craved those sounds from him.

Eagerly, my hands roamed his body, tracing a path from his chest down to his torso. I could feel his smile through our passionate exchange. The room seemed to fall into silence, except for the sound of our lips smacking together.

Jared sensed my desire and pulled away slightly. Bending down, he slid his hands under my thighs, lifting me off my feet. I gasped in surprise as I felt the ground vanish beneath me. He settled himself between my legs, and I wrapped my thighs around his torso, with pinning me to the door with my back.