Us - Arianna Joseph (best book clubs txt) 📗

of her throat.

“Oh my God.” She clutched her chest, “How did you get in here? In the house?” she asked.

Trystan shrugged. For the first time, Arelie was annoyed with that small movement, that small excuse. She went back in the bathroom, tied her hair after drying it and walked back out to her bedroom, Trystan was still there.

“I . . . really think you should go. I’m really tired.” Arelie said a little stiffly. Trystan gave her a look and lifted his brow. His muscular body seemed to swallow up her queen bed. She swallowed audibly. Trystan cursed.

“Are you afraid of me?” he asked with dangerous calm.

“No.” she answered, and it was true. She could never be afraid of Trystan; she cared for him too deeply to fear him. Trystan stared at her.

“Really?” he asked. She stared right back at him.

“It’s true, whether you believe it or not.” Arelie commented. Trystan scowled and stood up, he strode toward her. They were barely an inch apart. “I’m not afraid of you,” she repeated, staring up at him, “I’m afraid of what you are.” She looked away now. Trystan was about to reach out to her, but she moved away.

“You can’t be one Trystan at one time, and then switch to another whenever you want. I . . . I can’t . . .” she trailed, Trystan turned to face her across from her room. She was worrying her bed sheets. She still couldn’t look at him, but Trystan kept staring.

“I’m still Trystan.” He assured, she looked up now.

“Are you? Are you still the Trystan I like, the guy that I enjoy being with, his smile, his laughter . . .” she trailed away.

“Jesus Christ, Arelie. I was never that person before I met you. I didn’t even smile, don’t you realize how hard it is for me to . . .” he stopped abruptly, but Arelie knew what he was going to say. She tilted her head.

“So that’s it.” She said bitterly. “Being apart of . . . oh God . . . I thought they were wrong, I thought you were different . . .” Elie sat on her bed, looking away from him, towards the window. “You really are in that gang, aren’t you?” It was not a question, but a statement.

Trystan tensed. “Yes,” he breathed, she still didn’t turn. Trystan started to panic. He walked over to her. “This was me before you, Elie. I can’t stop that, can’t stop my past. I’ve done a lot of damn things, but that was before.”

“Why do I feel like this is still going on? What was that at the parking lot?” Trystan glanced away briefly.

“You can’t expect me to give it up in just one day. Those guys . . . they’re apart of my family, I can’t just abandon family.” Trystan argued, Elie breathed in raggedly.

“I know,” she paused. “I’m not forcing you to choose, Trystan; I won’t ever make you do that. I know family is important to you. Maybe . . . we just need to take a little break.” She finished hoarsely. She wanted to scream with such uncertainty. How could she give him up so easily? But she’d die before making him choose.

Trystan suddenly grabbed her shoulders, “No,” he said harshly, pulling her into his embrace and giving her a dominated kiss. Possessing her heart and soul in one kiss. She whimpered, and put her hands around his neck, pulling him closer, her tears falling on his cheek.

She could never leave him, Trystan thought determinedly.

Trystan held her for the rest of the night. They had searched the warmth of her bed. He had pulled her close, cradling her head in the crook of his arm. He brushed back curly locks of her auburn hair, her lips were slightly parted, gentle breathing. She had an arm hooked around his waist and he smiled.

Even though she wanted to give their relationship a break she couldn’t. Their connection to each other was too strong and powerful. He turned the light out, and pulled her closer, burying his face in her cinnamon scented hair and falling asleep, content.

@>------

He looked away from the window as the lights went out, angry and frustrated. He wanted her, he couldn’t stay there too much longer, or they’d find him. He couldn’t give up yet, though. He needed her as badly as he wanted her.

He had waited years for her; years of watching her grow in his care, years of drawing her into his loving arms. He could do it again, if he wanted to. He could lure her back to him. There were ways, and he knew her so well.

Yes, he could wait. Victory would be his, yet! She’d come back to him, she’d leave the other bastard; she’d have to, no attachments to anybody. He’d have to make sure she knew that. And she would, she always did know how to obey.

With a wicked sneer he walked away from the house, from the window. There would be other times.

Arelie O’Neil was his.

@>------

Arelie woke up with startling recall of the night before. Her head was on skin; a shoulder. She looked up and saw Trystan staring down at her; she stayed there, staring at him. Then, as if she struck by lightning she jumped off the bed. Trystan didn’t try to do anything, didn’t try to explain, or grab her and demand she stay with him, he just laid there. Waiting.

Arelie ran her hands through her hair, worrying them. She looked away from him, she looked down and blushed. Quickly, she opened a drawer and grabbed a pair of night pants. She walked to her bathroom and closed the door. After a loud conversation with herself, an hour shower, and more talking she walked back out.

Trystan had obviously left and come back because his hair was wet, he had on fresh new clothes, and he brought food.

“I don’t eat in my room.” Arelie stated. Trystan gave her a grin.

“You don’t have to, but I can.” Trystan stated. Arelie went over to him and snatched the bag. There was coffee and a chocolate bagel inside. She was touched. Apparently Trystan was really paying attention to her . . . or did he make his gang spy on her? Did Blood Lust know she was dating one of their members? Did they kill girlfriends?

“Arelie.” Trystan exclaimed softly. She looked down at him.

“Stop being nervous. You said you weren’t afraid of me.” Trystan reminded, Arelie nodded. Her phone buzzed then. Most likely a text message; but it kept on buzzing. She walked over to the nightstand and grabbed her phone; she looked at the caller ID.

Unknown.

Arelie cautiously answered it.

“Hello?”

“Good morning, Darling.” Ben’s voice seemed to sizzle through the phone and burn her. She nearly threw the phone across the room.

“What do you want? Stop calling me.” Arelie ordered; there was a soft laughter in the background.

“You already know what I want.” Ben’s voice became seductive, sensual. She caught Trystan’s eye and saw he wasn’t happy. She could see the steam coming from his body, reaching her. She looked away from him and went to the window, Trystan, of course, followed her standing right behind her.

“Leave me the hell alone! I’m gonna call the cops on you’re sorry ass!” quickly, without waiting for Ben to respond Elie pressed the end button. She turned and found Trystan right behind her, she gasped.

“Was it him?” Trystan asked softly, but Elie could see his clenched jaw and the rage-filled eyes. Elie gave him a faint smile, putting a hand on his arm, she nodded.

“Shit” Trystan muttered. He didn't say anything for a while and then looked back at her. Elie watched his expression. "I don't give a damn if he's your father, Arelie, but I swear . . . If he calls you again, I'm gonna beat the shit out of him!" Trystan growled.

Arelie smiled, "And I will happily support you." Trystan clenched his fists.

"I can't believe a . . . I can't believe he's your father!" Trystan walked away from the window. Arelie caught his arm.

"Hey, don't worry about it. We'll figure this out." she promised. Trystan sighed and pulled her in his arms.

"I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if anything happened to you, El." Trystan whispered hoarsely, Arelie burrowed her face in his neck and kissed him there. "I don't understand why I feel like this . . ." suddenly he pulled her away from him and she yelped in surprise. "Tell me I'm not the only one that feels like this. Tell me you do too." he demanded.

It was then Arelie saw the desperation in Trystan's eyes, the way his eyes came from anger to fear as he didn't know his feelings for Arelie anymore.

"I feel the same, Trystan. Ever since I've met you . . . I've always felt the same." she whispered. Trystan let out a satisfied male growl and smashed his lips onto hers. Cutting off her air, but Arelie didn't need air. Trystan was her resource for life, for everything.

Arelie snaked her hands and latching them at his nape. She moaned as he deepened the kiss and demanded entrance for his tongue to ravish her. She readily opened up for him and he devoured her whole. It was no longer just Arelie and just Trystan; they became one at that moment.

Afterwards, as they lay together, basking in satisfaction Trystan pulled her close, the sounds of the nights returning to them.

"I love you." he whispered.

Arelie sighed, and snuggled closer to him. "I love you too."

Chapter 7

 

Chapter 7

March 2

Arelie woke up in an empty bed. For a minute she forgot what had occurred last night and just nestled back into the comforters. Then she sat up abruptly.

6:15am.

“Oh my God.” she said out loud. She looked around and put a hand over her mouth. Had she and Trystan . . . ‘do it’ last night? She peeked underneath the covers and saw a smear . . . “Oh my God.” She whispered again. She put the cover back down, she opened the drawer next to her and searched the contents; finding a shirt, she slipped it on. She got up from the bed and walked over to the bathroom.

After taking a long, hot shower she wrapped herself in a towel and stared at herself; she was a different person today. She was no longer the virginal Elie, she lost her virginity to a guy she’d only known for a few weeks! But she felt giddy. Not only did they do it but Trystan said he loved her! Her! As in Arelie O’Neil!

But where was he? Arelie wondered. Dwelling on that thought she quickly got dressed; she was a little tender down there – most likely from last night. After getting ready and finding another note from Bea about another business trip.

She quickly got into her car, school would start soon. She had already missed yesterday with Trystan, she couldn’t miss another.

@>------

When Elie got to the school, the bell had just rung; she ran to her class and was able to get to her first period without trouble. Elie sat down next to her partner – Ivy Jean.

“Did I miss anything yesterday?” Elie whispered. Ivy shrugged,