CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: A PROMISE TO STAY

I whispered against his skin, voice low and needy. "Babe... I’m horny."

Silence. He didn’t move, didn’t answer.

I gathered my courage and pressed soft kisses along his shoulder, my hand slipping down, searching for his cock. But before I could reach him, his hand caught mine, firm.

"Evric," he murmured, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Not tonight. I’m tired."

I tried again, my words almost a plea. "Babe... but I need you. I’m so hard."

His grip only tightened. "Not tonight," he repeated, finally this time.

Even though I knew he could feel my need, Zayn didn’t let me touch him. And that hurt more than the rejection itself, it felt like he was drifting further and further away from me.

I got up and slipped into the bathroom, needing a moment to steady myself. Splashing water on my face, I forced my body to calm down, swallowing the heat that burned and rose fiercely between my legs.

When I finally returned to bed, Zayn was still curled on his side, quiet and unmoving. I slid in behind him and wrapped my arms around him anyway, holding him as if my embrace could keep him from slipping away.

Just like that, I drifted off to sleep, hugging him. And eventually, he slept too.

In the morning, Zayn woke before me. By the time I opened my eyes, he was already dressed, shoes on, bag slung over his shoulder. He didn’t even look at me when he said, flatly, "Tell your driver to drop me at my place."

I swung my legs off the bed and stood up slowly, walking towards him. "Zayn," I called softly, "you woke up first, no good morning, not even a morning kiss?"

He turned, his face tight. "Can you just stop complaining about everything?"

My mouth parted in disbelief. "Complaining?" I scoffed. "You’ve been avoiding me for three days now. Even when you answer me, it’s cold, like I’m nothing to you. It’s hurting me, Zayn. So tell me, how is that complaining?"

His eyes hardened. "Just tell your driver to drop me at home."

I ran my hand through my hair, my mind heavy with frustration. "I told you I was wrong, I apologized... so why are you still treating me like this? Last night, I reached out to you. I needed you, I was damn horny, I was hard, you knew I wanted you, and yet you pushed me away without even considering me."

His voice cut through mine, sharp and final. "I need a break, Evric."

A nervous smile tugged at my lips, brittle and weak. "From sex, right?"

He shook his head. "From everything related to you. Just... let me be."

The words shattered something in me. I stepped toward him, choking on my apology. "I’m sorry. I was wrong..."

He didn’t let me finish. Zayn was already turning toward the door, moving like he wanted to escape, and my chest tightened with a mix of fear and guilt. No... I can’t let him go like this.

Before he could open the door and walk away, I caught his waist from behind and hugged him tightly. He didn’t move, didn’t push me away. I rested my head against him and whispered, "Is it because I’m a man?"

He stiffened. "Evric... stop."

But I couldn’t stop. I needed him to hear me. ’Zayn...’ I closed my eyes, my chest tightening, my voice trembling. ’Is it because I approached you as a man... and you love me... that’s why you’re feeling ashamed? If I were a woman, you wouldn’t feel this way, right?’ My voice cracked as I pressed closer, trying to bridge the distance."

He spoke again, a mix of frustration and vulnerability. "Evric... that’s enough."

I shook my head, my heart aching. "I won’t ask for sex, I won’t touch you again until you want it. But please... don’t distance yourself. Don’t take a break from me."

He turned slowly to face me, and I tried to steady my voice, though it shook with desperation. "I’ll call you once a day... I’ll text you, three times, no, wait, two times... I won’t come to your restaurant... I won’t..." My hands trembled as the words tumbled out, each one a desperate fear of losing him.

"Fuck you, Evric," he cut in sharply, staring at me.

I swallowed hard, my eyes glistening. ’You know I love you, Zayn... I wouldn’t be able to breathe if you chose to distance yourself. I wouldn’t be myself. I accept I was wrong for making you feel this way... for making you fall for me, I take the blame for...’ I was still talking, but before I could say more, Zayn cut me off, pressing his lips to mine."

All the anger, guilt, desire, and love tangled together in that kiss. I straddled him on the bed, our bodies seeking closeness, reassurance, until he finally pulled back, breathing hard.

He pounded my chest lightly, frustration and longing burning in his eyes. "How dare you make me feel like this... how dare you, Evric! You make me want to stay with you. I hate you... I hate you so much!" Tears spilled down his cheeks, and before the words could cut any deeper, I kissed him, desperate to stop the pain trembling through him.

When I pulled back, my gaze locked with his eyes, seeing not hate but the storm of feelings he had spent time fighting. "I’m sorry," I whispered, cupping his cheek. "I never meant to make you feel ashamed, Zayn. It’s... It’s all my fault."

His eyes softened, the tension slowly easing. "Stop, Evric... stop blaming yourself," he whispered, his arms wrapping around me. He pulled my head against his chest, holding me so tightly it felt like he was trying to keep me from breaking apart.

"Can you do me a favor?" he murmured, his voice low, almost pleading.

I tilted my head up to look at him, my heart pounding. "What?"

His gaze met mine, steady but tired. "Give me time, Evric."

I looked up at him, my voice unsteady. "I’ll give you time," I promised, though my heart ached with every word. "But please... just let me stay near you. Don’t shut me out completely."

He hesitated, then finally nodded, and relief flooded through me. "Thank you, babe... I love you, Zayn. I love you so much."

He only nodded in return. I pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, holding him close for a few long, quiet minutes. Then I stood, brushing my hand over his hair. "Let me shower quickly and get dressed so I can drop you at home," I whispered.

"Okay," he replied softly.

I teased gently, trying to ease the lingering tension. "And babe... you’ll pack my lunch for me."

"Okay," he murmured again.

With that, I walked toward the bathroom, but before I could enter, I rushed back to him. "Babe?" I whispered.

He looked up and answered, Yes. And I leaned down.

"Babe... can I get a kiss?" I asked softly.

He chuckled, shaking his head, yet a smile broke through. "You’re really something, Evric."

I pouted, and he leaned in, pressing his lips to mine. Only then did I finally head into the bathroom, feeling relieved. Things weren’t perfect, not yet, but for now, he wasn’t leaving me.

And that... that was enough.