Chapter 11 Standing in front of the empty sink, looking out onto the neighbour's backyard over our shared fence, I'm lost in thought and purposefully ignoring him. His earlier touch and his comment about being able to hear my heartbeat have thrown me for a loop that's not the fun kind like on a rollercoaster. I'm sure he was mistaken when he said he could hear it. He probably misspoke and meant to say felt. No normal person can hear another's heart's steady rhythm unless you hold your ear against their chest, right? Right? Right Even though I can't see him as he's moving about the kitchen behind me, I can feel him. A strange awareness awakened in me since I touched him this morning. It is as if this invisible string is floating in the air, tethering us together. It's the strangest thing, and I'm having difficulty wrapping my head around it. Maybe I just haven't had enough coffee yet. I feel him before I hear him speak. He's so close that the hairs on my neck are standing up in awareness. "What are you looking at Menace?" Little 1 make the mistake of turning my head in his direction to answer him, and realise he's right there. He had dipped his head lower so he's almost eye level with me. Staring into his electric blue eyes (walt, wasn't his eye color dark blue earlier?) feels like I can trust him with my whole life and soul. We're caught in a moment where there is nothing and no one beyond this bubble that's wrapped itself around us. My breath hitches, and I instinctively feel my torso twist towards him, as if my body has a mind of its own and wants this man to hold it and never let go. His gaze darts between my eyes, down to my mouth, and back up again. His hand drifts to the small of my back, and my body comes alive. Sparks run along every inch of skin as they spread outward from where his featherlike touch has made contact. The blue flame that ignites in the depths of his gaze makes my soul sing in an unfamiliar recognition. How is this possible? That a man I met less than 24-hours ago has generated more emotions and feelings within me than my ex could ever do in the ten months 1 put up with his ass. Nope. Absolutely not. This is not an acceptable reaction. Walk away from the attractive man, Harley With resolve I'm not sure where it conses from, I clear my throat and step to the side, away from his touch and intense focus. Turning around and leaning my ass against the sink's edge, I answer him without making eye contact, "I'm thinking of everything that still needs to be done at the store." Evasive, yes, but I might as well start laying the brickwork for my plan I devised earlier. You know, the one where I get rid of him without seeming rude. He hasn't moved, which doesn't give me much breathing space so I can get my heart rate under control, but at least he isn't trying to consume my soul with his intent gaze anymore. "Store?" he asks, nonchalantly. Deciding to feed him a few vague breadcrumbs of my life, I answer, "Yeah, I own a bookstore a couple of blocks from here." With that information, he won't be able to become a stalker, seeing as there are various bookstores downtown Business hasn't been the greatest recently due to a large commercialized bookstore that has opened three blocks down from mine much to my annoyance. Even some of the other smaller, niche bookstores with whom I have a friendly working relationship are having trouble keeping their head above water. - In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.