Chapter 007

"Are you still present?" Yemi leaned against the doorframe and spoke in a low, almost amused manner. His eyes traveled over me, capturing the moment I stood motionless, uncertain about whether to confront the storm that was building between us or withdraw into the security of my own thoughts.

In light of everything, I hadn't anticipated his return today. The dispute. The power struggle. The terrifying caution. And yet here he was, with that awful smirk on his lips, seeming as calm as ever.

With a tone that was colder than I had intended, I answered, "I'm not going anywhere." What did I expect, though? Despite my best efforts to shake him, Yemi seemed to always come back stronger and more alluring. He was like a hurricane that wouldn't go away.

With my back to him, I paced to the window and gazed out into the city, watching the lights flicker beneath a darkening sky. Within my head, my thoughts were whirling like a cyclone. I had made an effort to persuade myself that he wasn't attractive. that I didn't find the weird and scary environment he lived in fascinating.

However, something about him kept luring me in even after I urged myself to keep my distance.

With a calmer tone, he said, "Toyosi, you don't have to pretend with me." "Your eyes show it to me. This is what draws you to me.

His comments caused me to stiffen and my heart to miss a beat. How was he supposed to know? Even though I could feel the heat rising up my neck, I murmured, "I don't know what you're talking about." How easy it must be for him to read me.

With such a nonchalant tone, as though the issue had already been resolved, he said, "You don't want to admit it, but I can see it." "You can act as though it doesn't affect you, but I know better."

I turned to face him, my mind rushing to think of something, anything, that would silence him and maintain our relationship at a distance.

I said, "You're wrong," even though it sounded hollow as soon as I uttered it. I had the unshakeable impression that he was correct. that I was impacted. And more than anything else, that frightened me.

With a gaze that seemed to cut through every barrier I had put up around myself, Yemi examined me. His presence filled the room like a black cloud as he pushed off the doorframe and moved forward.

He whispered, "I've told you before that you're not as far away from this as you think." Furthermore, you cannot deny our relationship.

He was too close. The air itself seemed to have shifted, becoming more tense. I wanted to distance myself from you, but I was unable to do so.

Something about him was intoxicating. His strength, his ability to command the room without even trying or raising his voice. The intensity in his eyes and the unsaid things whirling beneath the surface were too strong for me to ignore.

In an attempt to regain some control, I said, "I'm not like you, Yemi." "This world does not contain me. I'd rather not be.

He took a while to respond. He instead advanced a step more, and I didn't retreat this time. I was powerless to resist what felt like a magnetic draw.

"You believe that I want you to be?" Now his voice was low, almost menacing. "I never asked you to be someone you weren't. However, don't act as though you don't want to be here.

I started to reply, but my words would not come. He was too near, too enticing to smell, and too much to handle. For the first time, I was unable to ignore the reality—I was ensnared in his orbit and, despite my best efforts to resist, I was drawn more and further into his universe.

And, for heaven's sake, I wasn't sure if I wanted to get out at all.

I tried to catch my breath as I said, "I never thought you'd be this honest with me." I couldn't help it, but my voice sounded shaky. The sense of energy between us was too strong.

Yemi's gaze never left mine as his lips quirked into that well-known grin. You don't want to believe it, which is why. You believe that you can leave, but we both understand that this isn't how things operate.

Unable to escape the passion that blazed between us, I shook my head. I was aware of his peril. was aware of the dangers. However, I was unable to stop myself from taking tiny steps toward him.

"Yemi," I muttered, struggling to maintain my composure. "This isn't right, this isn't."

At this point, I could feel the heat radiating from him as his body drew closer and closer. "What's wrong, Toyosi?" Even though his voice was hardly more than a whisper, I felt compelled to follow his instructions and couldn't help myself. "That you are everything I desire? That it's impossible for me to leave?

With my heart thumping in my chest, I took a deep gulp. My entire being begged me to take a step back and fight whatever was going on between us. However, it was pointless. It was impossible to avoid.

His lips were instantly on mine, and I wasn't sure if that was him or me making the move. It wasn't kind. It was a hungry, passionate, and desperate kiss that included all that we couldn't express. All the doubts, all the questions, all the necessity.

I was having trouble breathing. I was unable to think. All I could do was feel. I allowed him, allowing myself to get absorbed in the moment, as his hands at my waist drew me in.

But he drew back, his breath coming in harsh spurts, as abruptly as it had started. My brain was spinning from the intensity with which his black eyes searched mine.

He remarked in a harsh voice, as if he was having trouble keeping his composure, "You're playing with fire, Toyosi." "And that is dangerous, as we both know."

I didn't answer. I was unable to. I was only able to gaze at him and sense the pulsing need that seemed to permeate the atmosphere between us.

I was deeper than I ever imagined I could be. And for some reason, I was unable to leave, even though I knew I should be afraid.

Yemi pressed his lips to my ear and said, "I think you like it."

I didn't dispute it.

A loud bang at the door brought us both back to the present before I could reply.

"Yemi! We must leave right away!

A powerful, incisive voice. The desperation in the tone chilled me, even if I didn't recognize it.

Yemi's muscles tensed and his face darkened. I stood there with my heart pounding and my head spinning as he turned and walked toward the door without further word.

His voice was low and solemn as he urged, "Don't go anywhere." "I will return for you."

The silence in the room was oppressive as I saw the door slam behind him.

I was at a loss for what to think. How to feel.

However, one thing was evident.

I had never been in this deep before.