Entangled (Entangled Trilogy #1)

by Anika Rahman

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and held onto him. He slid his hands from my face, down to my waist where he held onto me tighter. He moaned into the kiss and I kissed him back with the same amount of passion that I would put in for anyone else’s kiss. He tried to pull me closer to him and I let him, not knowing why.

  He parted my lips with his own and I still let him, granting him access as he smiled but didn’t break the kiss. His tongue slipped into my mouth but I didn’t mind. The kiss lasted for about thirty more seconds more and at last, we pulled away. I was breathless while he grinned at me.

  “I’ll never get tired of doing that either,” Lucifer smiled.

  “What did you want to tell me?” I asked again as I got my breathing under control.

  “I wanted you to know that you don’t deserve Adrian or James. You deserve me, the Prince of Hell. We are like a match made in hell, Rosie. We are meant to be together,” Lucifer told me.

  “What?” I asked, completely lost.

  “I want you to stay away from Adrian and James. You deserve better than them,” Lucifer said as sadness filled his eyes.

  “What?! You can’t tell me what to do and what not to do. Who do you think you are?” I yelled; all that passion in me replaced by anger.

  “I am Lucifer, the Morning-star in case you didn’t know,” Lucifer smirked.

  “What?” I asked. I wasn’t very religious so I didn’t understand any of this.

  “Rosie, try to understand this,” Lucifer said calmly. His calmness was the thing that annoyed me even more.

  “NO! First, you come to me and kiss me. Then you tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. Who do you think you are?” I yelled as Lucifer stepped towards me and reached out a hand to touch me. Before he could touch me, James burst in through the door and Lucifer sighed.

  “Your appointment with Satan is over, Angel. My turn,” James grinned as he stepped towards my bed and Lucifer left, closing the door behind him. I now felt slightly better.

  “Angel, love, are you still mad at me?” he asked as concern filled his eyes. He reached over to touch my face lightly.

  “No, I’m not mad—,” I started but he silenced me with a kiss. James’ kisses were more sudden and always right to the point. He immediately parted my lips and slipped his tongue into my mouth. We kissed for about a minute until he pulled away.

  “Good. I don’t want you to be mad at me. How are you feeling, Angel?” he asked me.

  “Why do you want to talk to me?” I asked.

  “Answer my question first,” James growled as I flinched.

  “I’m fine,” I said quietly. James put his hand under my chin and tilted my head up to look up at him in a painful position. My whole body hurt and he knew it but he still didn’t let go.

  “Why do you love Adrian and not me? Answer me,” James growled. He was hurting me, I could see the pain in his eyes but he still didn’t let go.

  “Let go of me, James. You’re hurting me,” I pleaded as I clawed at his hands. He did let go of my chin but now, he held onto my wrists very painfully tightly. I could see the red marks forming on my wrists.

  “Answer me,” James growled again and Adrian burst in through the door. James muttered a curse and left the room. My face was filled with tears.

  Adrian quickly sat down on the bed and hugged me tightly, not tight enough to hurt me like James did. I was still crying and Adrian didn’t mind. He still held onto me like I was his life. He kept murmuring, “it’s okay, Roza.” I pulled away and furiously wiped away my tears and he noticed the red marks vining my wrists. He took my fragile wrists in his hands and traced the lines. I sucked in a breath and he immediately let go, muttering something under his breath but the only part of it that I caught was, “I’m going to kill that bastard.”

  “Adrian, no. Please, don’t,” I said, horrified. Adrian pulled me in for another hug and I hugged him back.

  “How are you feeling, Roza?” he asked, a bit concerned.

  “I’m fine,” I said.

  “No, you’re not. You have a bad habit of lying like that and covering up your pain but I could tell how much you’re hurting,” Adrian told me as if he knew me forever. He leaned in to kiss me firmly and I instantly kissed him back. Once he pulled away, the pain in my whole body was almost gone.

  “Is the pain gone?” he asked.

  “A little,” I responded, dazed.

  He kissed me again, firmer this time. Adrian held onto me and kissed me longer.

  “How about now?” he questioned.

  “The pain is all . . . gone. How did you do that?” I asked, surprised and afraid at the same time. The pain was all gone. The marks on my wrists were still there but there was no pain in my body whatsoever. How did he do that? I tried to inch away from him, but he held me closer to him in a protective way for some reason.

  “I’ll tell you some other day, Roza. Now, tell me what James did to you. I’m going to kill him,” Adrian threatened, clenching his hands into tight fists while he tightened his jaws so hard, I’m surprised his teeth didn’t begin to fall off one at a time.

  “He didn’t do anything,” I said, looking away from him.

  “He made you cry. He’s going to pay for every single drop of tear that fell from your eyes.”

  “Please don’t kill him.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Don’t kill him.”

  “Roza, you’ve only known him for a short period of time and you trust him more than anyone else. You’ve known me forever and now, you can’t trust me at all,” he sighed, letting me go, but I stayed where I was. I felt safe around him despite his bipolar attitudes.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing. Forget I ever said that.”

  “Adrian,” I whined. Why did he have to be so complicated? He could get it all over with by answering my simple question, but he’d rather keep it hidden from me and lose my trust.

  “I have to go. I just wanted to check in on you,” Adrian said, getting up from the bed, but he paused and looked over at me.

  “Roza, what is it that you see in James and not me? Am I that bad of a guy? I don’t want to be a bad guy to you. What is it that he has and I don’t? If you’ve ever wanted anything from me, I had always given it to you right away. I never delayed your desires. I didn’t know that in the end, you’ll end up choosing him. What is it that you see in him and not me?” Adrian asked as sadness sketched itself all over him.

  What is it that you in him and not me? I think he meant, why don’t you notice the person who truly loves you?

  “Adr—,” I started, but he cut me off.

  “I should get going,” he said, clearly out of excuses. I nodded and with that, he left. With him went my heart. What is it that he has and I don’t?

  My face was streaked with tears, futile tears that is. My whole life is pointless. No one will ever tell me anything, ever. I am always in the shadows, why? I want to be out of this hellhole. I want to be free. Lucifer was wrong. James and I were a match made in hell. No matter how hard I tried denying the fact that James and I’ll never be compatible, I knew that wasn’t true. None of it is. James and I are somehow meant for each other; I know we are.

  CHAPTER 11

  HANDS OFF

  Roza,

  I miss you so much! Where have you been? Haven’t seen you in a while, don’t you think? Can’t wait to see you when you meet me on the roof today after-school. I’ll be waiting for you to arrive. You know what to do if I’m not there on time. :)

  -Adrian

  * * * * *

  I couldn’t help, but ponder upon what Adrian wanted to talk about. He never actually wanted to talk to me or anything and once in a blue moon invited me to the roof. What was all this about all of a sudden? He is so bipolar. One minute he’s doing exactly what you anticipated and the next, he does something completely out of the blue. Archetypal Adrian. He knows about everything that has been going on in my life now. Hitherto,
he decides to try and cheer me up. Even if he’s the only one trying.

  I sighed and decide that I want to go to the roof, just to see what he has planned for me. When I went to the roof, I only saw James with his back facing me.

  My heart did a gazillion cartwheels at the sight of him; not from love or affection, but from hatred and . . . fear. I stood up straighter, pushing my chin out a bit forward, trying to appear strong and unwavering, but my insides were quivering with panic.

  My first instinct was to turn around and run, but instead, I took a few steps forward. For some peculiar reason, I could feel a tingle inside me as soon as I entered the roof. I only ever felt this way around Adrian. I could almost feel what James is feeling right now: Triumph. He instantly turned around and pinned me with a look that glued me to the place where I was standing. I could barely move a muscle as he made his way over to me and hugged me, his expression completely smug.

  He held onto me like old times. I desperately wanted to hug him back, my soul craving for him, but I knew that wouldn’t help the situation. I wanted to just want to go back to normal so badly, but I held myself back. God, how I’ve missed his scent: sunshine and vanilla.

  “So, Rosemarie, did you get my note?” James smirked once he pulled away. No. Way. He sent me that note with Adrian’s name on it so I would meet him. I would’ve never agreed to come up here if I knew that he sent me that note. My eyes widened as this realization dawned me and James’ smirk grew. I can’t believe he did that. All my longing and desire was replaced by resentment now.

  “You sent me that?” I asked incredulously.

  “Yup. Ain’t I a genius?” James asked, putting on a Southern accent as I cringed. I can’t believe he did that to me.

  “What the hell? You are not a genius,” I said as I turned around to leave. He could think twice about me staying here. Nuh-uh; there was no way I was going to stay here. Just sensing his presence was asphyxiating enough. I felt as if I couldn’t suck in air anymore. A strong pair of arms caught me, turned me back around and pinned me against the wall now. James’ body trapped mine between him and the wall with no possible escape. Great, I was imprisoned.

  Students started coming in through the doorway and I thought that they could maybe help me. I tried to open my mouth to yell out for help, but James leaned in close to me to whisper something that I was too busy flouting. Why couldn’t the students see us? Were they just pretending? The students just went on with their businesses, checking the roof, looking at the plants while some couples were in lip-locks. They didn’t even come up for air. What is wrong with all these people? Why were they just kissing when they could’ve helped me get out of this place? Were they pretending not to notice us or were they scared of James?

  “No, it’s because we’re glamoured,” James simply replied as I stared at him with unreserved misperception. Glamoured? As in . . . we were sparkling and they couldn’t look at us because we were sparkling so much? That’s not very manly of James.

  “No, not that glamoured. This is different. This is like an illusion. Angels can conceal things from the view of others. They can make themselves and whoever they want invisible or just make them look like something else so others perceive them differently. I glamoured us so that no one else can see us. I mean, we do need some privacy right?” James smirked again, that same mischievous gleam returning to his eyes. I merely nodded and tried to think of an escape from him, far away from him.

  What if I kick him where the sun doesn’t shine? It works with every other guy.

  “You think it is that easy to escape from me? Now, where is your Adrian? How is he supposed to save you now? Shouldn’t he be coming to your rescue while you shower him with kisses and chant ‘My hero’?” James smirked. Honestly, I hadn’t thought of that. How was I supposed to get out now? Adrian has things to do after school and honestly, we’re just friends so I am not going to shower him with kisses while chanting ‘My Hero’. I struggled to break free, but his hold on me was just too tight. On top of that, James was a freakin’ fallen angel; he’s meant to be inhumanly resilient so I wasn’t going anywhere in a while.

  “Are you scared?” James faked a frown. “Are you afraid of the big bad wolf? Where’s your courage now? Do I scare you?”

  “No,” I spat. I hated him now. I used to love him so much. I trusted him. Instead of loving me back, he played with my feelings and . . . used me. I don’t know what he used me for but he still used me. He broke my trust so there was no way I was going to be scared of him. I hate him. Krystal was right.

  The ones that you think you can trust are truly the ones you can’t trust, not even the slimmest bit. Take my advice and never, ever spontaneously trust anyone who you think you can just because they gave you ‘sweet talk.’ Everything is not what it seems. First, think about your decision. Krystal was definitely right. I should’ve just listened to her. I should’ve taken Maddie’s warnings about him. He is a jerk. He just sugar coated everything and made everything look so . . . easy. I should’ve never given in to any of his temptations.

  “I heard that, Rosemarie! You think I can’t read your thought. Oh, but I can,” James said in a singsong voice. “You think you can keep your thoughts to yourself, but you can’t. We’re bonded. I can always read you, touch you, hold you. We’re meant to be together, Rosemarie, don’t you see?” What. Is. He Talking. About? We’re not “bonded” and he has no right to touch me, hold me or kiss me or do anything to me. I am my own person.

  “You feel a strong connection towards Adrian and not me. Why is that? Did I make you unhappy? Is it because I am from Lucifer’s side? Answer me. I know I can change myself just for you. Give me a chance and freakin’ answer me,” James ordered. His face inched closer to mine and it brought back so many memories.

  I remembered our first kiss on this roof. I can’t believe that same James is standing in front of me now. I just couldn’t believe it. I pushed down all my emotions so I could face this devil in front of me. I don’t want him to see how weak I am right now. I tried to bring the whole quivering-with-fear thing down a notch.

  “He’s a better person than you’ll ever be,” I answered him slowly through gritted teeth as if I was teaching a five-year-old about patience.

  “You lie. Does he make you feel the way I make you feel every time I touch you?” James asked me. He put his hands on my waist again, pulling my body impossibly closer to his.

  “Does he make you feel the way I make you feel every time I compliment you?” James growled, forcing me to look up as he tipped my chin up.

  “Does he make you feel the way I make you feel with all my kisses?” James barked as he gently kissed my neck. He trailed kisses from my collarbone to the corner of my mouth as I grimaced in disgust.

  I couldn’t even believe the fact that I had fallen in love with this devil. James unexpectedly crushed his lips on mine and tried to part my lips with his as I pounded my tiny fists on his muscular chest.

  “Kiss me,” he ordered and I didn’t obey. There was no way I was going to kiss him.

  “No!” I answered.

  “Oh, yeah? Well, you asked for it,” James smirked as he ran his hands up and down my body as if I was a trophy he’d won. Then, he put his hands on my thighs, making me gasp from the sensation. He took that opportunity and crushed his lips onto mine once more, his tongue snaking its way into my mouth. I still refused to kiss him back.

  He pulled away too soon, leaving me breathless. I don’t know why, but my body and mind craved for his kisses. I wish I appeared stronger than I am.

  “Stop. Touching. Me,” I said, controlling my anger. I wish Adrian was here. Hell, I wish Lucifer was here.

  Where are you, Adrian? Where are you when I need you the most? I whimpered, almost hoping Adrian heard my thoughts and appeared out of thin air to save me from James.

  “Oh, yeah? What are you going to do? I’ve waited for you for a long time now and I am not going to give you up. You can try denying the fact that you hate
me all you want, but I know that you still have feelings for me. You still look at me the same way you did back when we dated,” James said as he held onto my wrists very painfully.

  Unable to take the pain anymore, I let my tears slide down my cheeks. I couldn’t keep this away from him anymore, it’s true. I still do have feelings for him, just not as strong as before.

  “Don’t cry, Rosemarie. I hate it when you cry,” James said as he moved to wipe away my tears. I flinched, trying to avoid his touch as much as possible. His eyes had softened when he told me not to cry, but seeing me flinch away from him brought back the same hard glint in his eyes.

  “You are such a liar,” I said.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  “I hate you.”

  “I love you.”

  “I wish I could kill you.”

  “And I wish I could kiss you again. Wait, maybe I can.”

  His hands found its way onto my thighs again and I refused to give in this time. He smirked and inched his hands higher and higher. I pursed my lips so I wouldn’t gasp. He slipped his hands under my dress while he trailed kisses along my collarbone. Before I could try to push him away from me, the roof door burst open.

  I nearly collapsed with relief. My eyes filled with tears once again. This time, the tears weren’t from pain, but from the sight in front of me. I breathed in his features. Tall, handsome, brown hair, eyes that held so many mysteries and kissed me so many times with those full lips of his. He sighed, looking at me and then his gaze hardened as his glare slid over towards James. James still had his hands on me and my savior in front of me looked at the hands once and looked into James’ eyes, giving him a clear message that James refused to pay any attention to.

  “Hands off!” growled that way too familiar voice, making me feel safe. I belonged in his arms, said a voice in my head. He was my safe haven. He is the one I’m meant to be with. Just a few seconds ago, I want nothing more than to die, but seeing him . . . I want to live. I don’t want to die; he makes me want to live. He is my anchor to life itself. I want to live and breathe and love the way he can. I want to love him.