Page 17 of Carnal Games

Nathan doesn’t realize what kind of life jacket he’s throwing in my lap. A temptation too carnal and perfect to pass. I’ve gone from having little scraps of Kian to almost having him in the palm of my hand. Like I only need to stretch my arm a little and I could reach him. Grab him. Make him mine eternally.

Is destiny really allowing me to get up close to the object of my obsession?

And when I do, will he notice me? Talk to me?Desire me?

Hell, willIeven be able to speak, let alone form coherent thoughts? I’d probably faint if he so much as looked at me with those formidable eyes. He’s otherworldly from a distance. Up close, he’ll suck all my oxygen and turn me into his puppet.

But wait… does he even live there anymore since emancipating from his family? At least, that’s what Nathan made it sound like.

My phone buzzes in my hand, distracting me from my train of thoughts.

NATHAN: I know we’ve only just met but I promise it’ll be fun and I’ll be by your side the whole night.

NATHAN: Besides, didn’t you leave me in charge to stop you from going to the park? I’m honoring your order, Iris.

I can picture his jovial grin on the other end. It brings a smile to my face.

I’ve felt so many emotions and dreams in the past week that it all feels unbelievable and surreal. I didn’t know graduating from high school would alter my happy but boring life so drastically.

An addictive crush on a man several years older than me.

Forming a friendship with a near stranger.

As strange as it sounds, it fills me with a little confidence. Every time I look at my reflection in the mirror, I no longer see the anxiety-ridden and awkward girl. I’m not saying I’ve magically fixed those insecurities or they’ve gone away overnight, but I’ve learnt that I’m capable of overcoming them. That I can be bold, and courageous, and chase after what I want.

Even the career—becoming an investigative journalist—I’m aspiring for requires it. Plus, there’s something about Nathan that makes me want to trust him.

I can’t live my life scared and with the fear of others’ judgement.

Mostly, I don’t want to be the shy and reserved girl I was in high school. Invisible and clumsy. I want to be fearless and adventurous. And the first step in that direction is by going to this party.

Because when Kian and I do collide, I want to steal his breath away like he did mine.

I want to stop him in his tracks, unable to look away.

I want my rom-com moment.

Until our hearts are intertwined forever.

ME: Okay, I’ll come.

Instantly, anxiety creeps in and I want to take back my message. But Nathan’s reply comes through, and I’ve lost the opportunity.

NATHAN: Thank you for saying yes. Tell me where to pick you up around seven.

ME: Oh, you don’t have to. I can just come by cab.

It’s going to cost me a fortune since cab fare is pricey as hell and who knows how far Nathan lives or where the party is being held. Nevertheless, it’d be unfair to ask Nathan to drive all thisway to pick me up. Won’t his parents question his absence from their own party? It would be rude of me.

NATHAN: You’re not taking a cab when I have a perfectly functioning car.

NATHAN: If you’re worried about being alone in a car with me, I understand. I’ll still come to get you and we can take an Uber from your place so you feel safer. Either way, you’re not traveling alone at night. My place is more than an hour away with traffic.

Jesus. I must have stumbled on a unicorn.

Because men like him do not exist.

He’s the definition of a gentleman.