Dark Layers Volume 2: Dark Layers

by Gray, A L

  In a croaky voice, I try to make a clean getaway. "I think I'm going to call it a night guys."

  Sophie nods, agreeing that we should leave - but Roman has other ideas.

  "I'll take you home beautiful." He says. He aims to kiss my forehead but I quickly and efficiently put my hand on his mouth to stop the physical contact.

  "Have I missed something here?" Elijah snaps, stepping forward with his hands on his hips.

  "Anile is my ex-girlfriend Elijah - the one that got away." He jokes, gently elbowing Elijah - like guys do.

  "I see," Elijah says rubbing his chin, "well, she is now my girlfriend."

  "Huh." I breathe in shock.

  Chapter Eight

  HE SNAKES HIS alpha arm around my waist, staking his claim. Wow, the static is there - it's clouding my judgement! I need to tell him off but I cannot manage words. I swallow, hard, hoping this will not go the way I'm imagining. Roman is a hot head at the best of times but he is no Menelaus - Elijah will kick his arse.

  "Are you his girlfriend? Since when?" Roman says clipped.

  "The fine details are not your business. I will see you Monday Roman." Elijah snaps at Roman. "I will take you home Anile." He says sweetly, peering down at me - his gaze is dangerous.

  I want to tell him, 'no he bloody well is not taking me home', but it seems I have forgotten how to speak - luckily! I lost the battle against Elijah last week and I'm in no way ready for the war. I lower my head and walk in motion with Elijah as he pulls me to his stride.

  "Sophie are you coming?" I ask.

  "I think I will stay out Honey. I will be back later."

  "Are you sure?" I ask worried.

  "Yes. Have fun." She jokes.

  Elijah smiles triumphant, nodding his head. Roman looks totally pissed.

  We make it outside, thankfully, and my chest deflates.

  "It's freezing, here, take my jacket Anile before you get ill." He says.

  He slips out of his blazer with ease. He holds it open for me to slide my arms in. I move fast, desperate to have a resemblance of him on me. Hmmm, it smells exactly like him - musky and spicy.

  "How long did you date Roman for Anile?" He questions.

  It seems I'm being caught off guard at every turn tonight.

  "Elijah, that is none of your business and I cannot believe you have stated that I'm your girlfriend when you know it isn't true."

  He stops us both from taking another step, "how is it not true?"

  "Are you actually crazy?" I gasp. I feel like I'm literally going to faint at his failure to read our situation. He looks down at me as if to say, 'well, elaborate'. His eyebrows are raising, his lips are pouted.

  "This is too much, and confusing! I'm not your girlfriend - yet. You sacked me because I'm a virgin; you told me to leave and never come back; you are married - which I might add is a huge problem - and you are too complicated. We have not known one another long enough to be a couple Elijah."

  Jeez! Yes I fancy the bones off of him and I have missed him like crazy, but I am in no way ready for a full on relationship with him - not yet!

  "Anile, I intend on making you my girlfriend. I told you I just need to iron out the fine details."

  "Fine details? I am not one of your defendants Elijah! Things should not be this complicated between us," I *sigh*, "can I not just work for you, and we could maybe, be friends - for now?"

  This is not what I signed up for - I don't really want to be friends - buddies - and I also don't want to be in a relationship with him yet. I want to be in the middle faze - the merry head drunk faze.

  He scoffs loud and shakes his head, "come on. Let's get you home Princess."

  “I have no idea what planet you are on but I am not going home with you! You have been gone for an entire week without so much as a flipping e-mail and you expect me to just hop in the car and go home with you?”

  I have no idea why I'm going nuts. I think it's because of his staked claim on me, and his absence, and his ignorance - okay, I do know why I have the hump. Even after promising myself I would let this go, I just can't.

  “Things are always complicated with you, Anile. Things are not always so black and white - just trust that I have been taking care of things, please.”

  “Things are complicated with me! Is that a joke?" I scream wide-eyed. I tense my fists, I sooo want to punch him right in his face!

  He laughs and covers his mouth because he's dying to belt one out.

  "Well you have confirmed my question; you are fucking crazy.”

  He stops laughing. He sighs while staring down at me with his dark glazed eyes.

  “You can either come willingly or I will just pick you up, put you in the car and take you home. The choice is yours Anile.”

  He leaves his threat lingering in the air between us. Ugh! He's so annoying!

  "If you lay one finger on me, I will not be responsible for my actions!" I snap, pointing a long finger almost in his face.

  "What is wrong Anile? Why are you being this way?" He asks utterly confused.

  Are all men this fucking stupid?

  "Elijah -" I breathe. I'm so exhausted by him.

  He stands right in front of me and places his hands together as though he's praying. "Please, please stop this, stop making this hard situation harder, please."

  I actually growl. “Grrr - fine Elijah, but things are going on my terms otherwise you can just do one!”

  “Very well Princess.” He says, curbing a laugh - I can hear it in his voice.

  God I gave in to easily!

  "Where is your car?"

  "There." He points a long finger towards his Bentley and I wonder how I missed such a grand car. I quickly and swiftly cross the road to the car but he keeps up with my small strides. He opens the back passenger door for me and I slide into the familiar leather and intoxicating smell.

  "I'm not talking to you, Elijah. So be quiet and do not speak to me." I warn.

  "Very well Princess." He jokes as he slides in next to me.

  Being in such close proximity of him is doing strange things to my insides. Also knowing it is just us - minus his driver - sends an overwhelming sensation to course through my body. I have to squeeze my legs a thousand times just to curb my excitement!

  We drive back to my apartment in complete silence. The Bar is only a five minute drive away, so the silent treatment is indeed affective - but not overdone. Elijah does try to make small talk but I refuse to entertain him - I want him to know that he cannot bully me! Every time he asks ‘are you okay’, I look at him with a pout, and he laughs but backs off.

  As we pull up to the curb outside of my apartment, he tries to speak once more - this time I allow it.

  "I am coming up, Anile." He mutters as he gets out of the car.

  I try to fight him back into position but fail miserably.

  "No, no, no," I say shaking my head, "I am too emotionally drained to deal with you tonight."

  "I will be on my best behaviour." He smiles and again, I fold; it's his eyes, they haunt me and possess me. They make me do things I would not normally do. I steadily get out of the car and walk at least five steps ahead of him. Thankfully, he gives me the space I need, he knows if he doesn't, I will tell him to bloody leave.

  We take the stairs up to my place. I'm grateful for his memory; he knows that I cannot be in such an enclosed space with him. Walking up each step, I feel uneasy; I feel his eyes on me. This feeling is sexual, uncontrollable even! How he does things like this is beyond me; will I ever become immune to him?

  Once we reach my front door, I try to open it but either my drunkenness kicks in or he's making me feel like a bowl of jelly. I cannot get the key in the bloody hole!

  "Here Princess, let me." He whispers.

  He gently takes the keys from my hand - insuring he touches me. The skin to skin contact gives me hot flushes and I step back quickly - breathe! He smiles, noticing the effect he's having on me. He opens the door like a true gentleman, bowing
and gesturing for me to go first. We enter my living area and he walks right past me, seating himself on my sofa as though he's at home. I roll my eyes, knowing I'm happy he's here - but I do not want him to know that!

  "Would you like a glass of wine Elijah?"

  He looks at me with a sorry expression.

  “Are you ignoring me?” I snap, hands on my hips.

  “You told me not to speak.”

  “I meant in the car.”

  “How was I meant to know that? I am not a mind reader Anile.”

  “So you think I meant ignore me when I speak to you?”

  “I do not know what context you meant it in. You really are a hard woman to read.”

  Ugh, he's so frustrating!

  “Do you want a drink or not?”

  "Please Princess,” he whispers and starts to sound serious, “and I want you to come and sit down; we should talk."

  I swallow hard; worried by his clipped tone. Crap, I do not have any wine.

  "Elijah, I don't have any wine. Is whisky okay?"

  I still have the whisky I brought for his partner - the one I thought insured I got my internship at Darks Lawyers.

  "Whisky is perfect Princess." He says, gazing up at me.

  I scurry off to the kitchen, pour the whiskies out in record time and head back to him. Walking towards him on wobbly legs, I pass him a glass - regretful. I wish I made the kind of gesture he did - placing the glasses together on the coffee table and insuring they touch one another.

  He pats the seat right next to him - trying to command my position - but I sit across the room from him. It's my turn to maintain the atmosphere and I know if I sit next to him, the atmosphere will ooze sex and nothing more.

  "Do you not want to sit with me Anile?" He says, still rubbing the empty seat next to him.

  "No, this sofa is good." I say sheepish.

  "Very well. Tell me about you and Roman?"

  I roll my eyes. "Elijah, I have alrea..."

  "Anile, just tell me. I will sit here all damn night if I have too. You can test my words but I can assure you, you will lose."

  I lean back into my sofa knowing he is a man of his word and I really do not want to argue with him all bloody evening.

  "I dated him until I was eighteen. Nothing ever happened between us - as you already know by my virginity - and I finished things because I was going to uni."

  "Yes, your virginity. I have also grown quite attached to that as well as you.” He mutters to himself while licking his gorgeous lips. “I do not want you around Roman, Anile."

  I shoot forward, ready to give him what for. "You cannot dictate who my friends are Elijah."

  "I can when it concerns your safety."

  He sits back crossing his legs. His hands lay limp by his sides. His face is impassive; his eyes are deadpan; his mouth is open just a little.

  "My safety? There is nothing wrong with Roman. I have known him since I was a child."

  "Trust me when I tell you - I know him a little better than you do Princess - and I also know he is in love with you."

  "Don't be so ridiculous Elijah." I gasp.

  "I saw the way his body bucked by one touch from you Anile – believe me, I know how he feels. I know he still has feelings for you and if you do not stay away from him, I will just terminate his contract and remove him from my firm." He says smiling proud.

  "So will you sack everyone who you believe has feelings for me?" I challenge.

  "If I have to - yes." He smiles, again proud - Bastard!

  I *sigh* in aggravation, knowing this is not going to plan.

  "Can we please talk about something else - I have wrapped up most of the Allen case, I will be booking the hearing Wednesday."

  "Business talk should only be conducted within business hours."

  "Is that a new Law?" I joke with half a grin.

  He leans forward while smiling with all his teeth showing, "do you want it to be? Because I am sure I could make it happen Princess."

  "That will be the only thing you can make happen." I huff under my breath referring to our nonexistent sex life.

  "Touché." He jokes, raising his eyebrows.

  He goes silent for a few seconds. He starts rubbing his chin in question.

  "Anile, I feel I need to explain this to you. I do not want you thinking that I do not lust after you, every minute of every day."

  My mouth is agape. "Explain what?" I whisper. Come on Darks, give it to me!

  He squints his eyes a little, his thick raven eyebrows are creased. "What kind of man would I be to just take what I want from you - regardless of your emotional consequences? I will not take your virginity, not yet."

  I sit stupefied that I don't have a comeback. I roll my eyes around the room trying desperately to come up with something. Anything will do, you are losing a losing battle! Idiot!

  "It seems Hephaestus has made a re-appearance." He laughs.

  "You have not and will never silence me, I am just trying to digest your compelling words." Liar!

  He laughs again, "well, apart from the fact that I do not want to take advantage of you, I think chasing a girl like you is half the fun Princess - and perfection is never to be rushed."

  A girl like me? Hmmm.

  "If you think the chase is half the fun, you are sourly mistaken." I joke while sitting back. I need to be comfortable; the conversation is going right for once.

  "I admit, you are very tiring, time consuming and disobedient sometimes, but I am sure I will overcome your vexatious tendencies - I am a man of many talents Anile." He jokes.

  "So you find me annoying?" I gasp.

  "Interesting Princess." He elongates 'interesting' while licking his lips.

  "So, if you find me interesting, why will you not make love to me - right now?" The words are out of my mouth before I have the chance to stop them - I seriously need to invest in a damn brain filter!

  He lifts his arms into the air and tucks his hands behind his head. He looks comfortable - he looks huge in my small sofa, he looks perfect.

  "Firstly, you told me to stop. I would have fucked you all over my verboten room if you didn't. Second, I had no idea that you are a virgin - if I did, the outcome would still be the same. I care about you Princess - I don't just want you for my own selfishness. A third, your chastity is to be taken with caution. I have never met or had someone like you before and I want to savour every moment. A girl like you deserves all the right things and nothing wrong. I plan on perfecting myself to succumb to your magnificence."

  Holy fuck! His words are... dangerous! Dangerous and erotic! My heart has officially stopped!

  "You think to highly of me Elijah, I mean really." I lower my head trying to understand why he thinks of me in such a way. Men normally just take what they want and he already has in most aspects of his life; everything he has achieved was not without battle. I just do not understand why he wants me so much.

  “When you said you know how Roman feels, is that your way of admitting your feelings for me?”

  He nods his head while slowly smiling, and that is all the confirmation I need. I blush scarlet - wow. Why on earth does he feel this way about me? He could have his pick of the litter. I rack my brain for all of five seconds - I think I have hit the nail on the head.

  "Have you had a virgin before?" That must be the infatuation, right? Wrong!

  "Yes. Both my wives were virgins. Not to blow my own trumpet but it is not hard for me to bag a virgin," he grins insatiably, "I can assure you that your virginity is not the issue; it is you, Princess."

  Although his arrogance annoys me, our conversation is getting deeper and deeper and I know now is my chance to ask some questions that have been playing on my mind recently.

  "Yes, your wives," I whisper, "I have been meaning to ask you about them, but I did not feel it was relevant - although I probably could have established the kind of partner you are from your relationship breakdowns."

  "There is not really much to kno
w Anile. I married to insure I got my inheritance; that is all; I can assure you, I have never wanted a woman the way I want you." He confirms, now leaning towards me. He rests his elbows on his knees. His eyes are locked on me.

  "Why do you keep going back and forth? Sacking me, and then chasing me relentlessly?"

  "You confuse me Anile. I know I should stay away from you but I cannot. In your own words you describe men well, 'men have obsessive compulsions, especially when it comes to women they desire and they do not control there obsessions well, regardless of how they perceive their actions', you could not have said it any better," he laughs for a few seconds, "I have also thought about putting you into motivational speaking."

  "You remembered my opinion, word for word. I am impressed." I smile but it soon turns into a frown with my next question. "Can we talk about that Jane Doe?"

  He pouts his lips. "What do you want to know?"

  "Well, I read the statements and I understand that it was a game or whatever, but was it really as bad as the press made it out to be?"

  He shakes his head promptly, "no, it was not as bad as the papers ruled it to be. Jane... Doe did not press any charges. I really do not feel comfortable talking about this Anile."

  "Why?" Now I'm intrigued.

  "Because it feels strange talking about my notches with you; I do not want to hurt you."

  Hmmm, I suppose I do feel a little wounded that he won't let me please him.

  "Okay, no more Jane Doe. Can I ask you some questions about that house you took me to?”

  His nose twitches as he prepares himself, “you can ask me anything Anile, that is what I am here for.”

  I clear my throat, croaking and swallowing, mentally preparing myself. I sit back, as does he - I don't dare chance falling off the edge of my sofa!

  “The knives that where in that house - do you use them?"

  He smiles, "why?"

  "Because, they made me feel... scared... uncomfortable." I stress. I think I'm a magnificent shade of red.

  "Your mind really is all over the place, isn't it?" He asks, relentlessly tapping his leg with his index finger - he looks nervous. I stay quiet, he's not chickening out of this question!

  "They are special knives, Anile. They are made in a particular way; firstly they are blunt - although that does not matter, I would never use anything like that with you. The main purpose is to cause mental effect more than physical - to scare people, in a nut shell."