Daisy shivered again at his growls, going slack against him. Then he was biting her lip, pulling on it with his teeth, and she couldn’t help the small sound that was pried from the back of her throat.
This was a bad idea. Such a bad idea. This was not going to end well, at all. Especially not after this.
But she really, really didn’t want to stop. And that was another reason it was a bad idea. Because now that she’d let him kiss her, now that she had kissed him… she really didn’t want to stop…
When Arvil heard that sound from her throat, he let out a hum of satisfaction. More. He wanted more. It wasn't something he should want, but Arvil couldn't control himself. If she was kissing him like this, she was attracted to him. Not necessarily like him, but… attraction was a good thing.
His fingers rubbed circles on her sides, releasing her lip to press her harder against him. Would she be okay if he deepened the kiss further? Or would she pull away if he tried?
This was bad. This was really bad. What would happen if they broke up? If they called off the engagement? What then? She didn’t want that to happen, but it was inevitable, wasn’t it? This was fake. It was all fake…
But this kiss was definitely not fake. So she let it continue, and she would let it continue until it either got too far or they were both ready to pull away.
Her fingers twisted his hair between them, and she gave it a light tug. He was teasing her with that his biting her lip, so she would tease him back. Who knew he would be so sensitive with his hair?
Arvil let out a growl at her action. Now that she knew one of his sensitive places, she was bound to exploit it. He had a feeling she would if they kissed in the future. Arvil definitely wasn't complaining. He liked it. He liked the course of action she took to tease him back.
He bit down on her lip again, but this time, he let his tongue slip out to trail the spot. If she were to stop him, that would be a really good move. Arvil didn't think he was ready to pull away. He didn't think he could ever be. That itself was terrible. He shouldn't want her when he couldn't have her. It would only end in pain for him. Couldn't she just accept the marriage and not move on from it?
Daisy pulled away with a small gasp of breath, her eyes squeezed shut tightly. She breathed heavily, catching her breath from the kiss. Almost reluctantly, she slid off of his lap and stood in shaking legs, tearing a hand through her hair and avoiding Arvil’s gaze for a moment.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, letting her eyes finally drift back to his. “This was a bad idea… I’ll stay to eat with you, but I should go after that.”
Arvil breathed heavily, leaning forward, head in one of his hands. He breathed heavily, instantly missing her warmth against him. He almost regretted taking the kiss a step farther. If he hadn't… would she have kept on kissing him?
"I think you should go," he rasped out, his voice hoarse. He didn't want her to go, but she needed to. If she didn't… Arvil didn't know what he would do. He was at the end of his self-control and he didn't want to wait and find out what he'd do if that thread snapped. "Remember to take the ticket with you. It'll expire in a week. I extended the date for you in case you were busy."
“Okay… I’m sorry,” Daisy whispered again, picking up her food and the ticket. She put the latter in her purse, which she slung over her shoulder.
In silence, she made her way to the door. Once there, her hand on the doorknob, she paused. Without looking back, she murmured, “I’m sorry, I— It was a good kiss…”
And then she was gone, cursing herself for being such an idiot that she would ask him to kiss her. And then for being such an idiot that she would kiss him back. That she would let him deepen it. That she would slide into his lap, wrap her legs around him, bury her fingers in his hair. She was such an idiot for letting out that sound, for wanting to do it again…
Such an idiot…
Arvil growled in frustration when Daisy left, standing up and pacing around. Why did she have to go and say that? He was already struggling as it is. Hearing that come from her lips… he had wanted to pull her back and kiss her again. And that was something he couldn't do. He sighed heavily, remembering how she had sat on his lap. How she had wrapped her legs around him, how she had teased him by tugging on his hair. That sound she had produced…
Arvil needed a shower. He needed one desperately.
[TIME SKIP: A COUPLE OF DAYS]
Arvil did his best to avoid Daisy. He really did his best. He made sure their meetings were short and brief, and if anyone noticed, they didn’t comment. They could put it as a lover’s spat for all he cared. He just couldn’t be around her without wanting to kiss the life out of her.
As Arvil was flipping through the pages, someone knocked on the door. They did not enter.
“What?” He asked irritably. The door opened and an employee poked his head in.
“Sir? There’s someone who needs to see you…” he trailed off.
“I’m busy,” Arvil said instead. “Send them away.”
“Um… she’s already here, sir…”
Arvil quirked an eyebrow.
Delilah stepped into the room with a grin and dark eyes that sparkled mischievously. Her high heels clacked on the floor as she walked over to Arvil’s desk, and she set her mini purse on top of it. She ran her hands down her white jacket before unclamping it to reveal her dark blue dress
“Arvil, love! It’s been a while,” she chuckled softly. “How are you?”
(Outfit: https://pin.it/zbch2z76wqnce3 )
Arvil looked at her with cold, calculating eyes. His pen hovered over the papers he was looking at, gaze flickering over her as if she was only a speck of dust he couldn't wait to get rid off.
"How did you get in here?" Arvil questioned slowly. "I thought I made it clear I never wanted to see you again."
“Honey, come on. Everybody here loves me. You know that,” Delilah laughed, shaking her head. “Anyway, I heard that you got yourself a new girl! Moving on so soon, are you? I’m hurt. I thought we had something pretty good going.”
"Get out," Arvil said flatly, his gaze as cold as his words. "I'm afraid this company has no place for you. Get out while I'm asking nicely."
“Baby, really? Why are you so upset about this? It was just one night. It’s not like you didn’t do the same all the time,” Delilah pouted, walking around to the other side of the desk. She leaned against it and set her hand on Arvil’s arm. “I’m sorry, okay? It was a mistake… I miss you, love.”
Arvil stood up abruptly, snatching her hand, her touch like acid.
"You cheated on me," he said, emphasizing the word 'cheating.' "After everything I did for you, you cheated on me. I might have been a playboy, Delilah, but at least I had the decency to stay loyal to my partner. Get out of my company. I said it then, too, but I'll say it again. Don't show your face around here, or to me, ever again."
Delilah raised her eyebrows at him, not the least bit surprised by his outburst. “Oh, Arvil… All right, I’ll leave. But first…” She stretched up a bit further and pressed her lips to his.
And that was the exact moment Daisy nearly walked in. She opened the door a crack, saw what looked like Arvil kissing another woman, and spun around, slamming the door behind herself. Her face burst into bright red with pure anger. Why was she so upset about this? It wasn’t like they were really together, anyway. Just because they had kissed a few times didn’t mean anything…
Arvil’s eyes widened out of surprise before he pushed her away, his hand on his mouth. His face finally twisted into that of anger. He missed the sound of the door slamming shut. It could be an employee, but Arvil didn’t care at that moment.
“You’re still as pathetic and desperate as they go, aren’t you?” Arvil breathed. “Let me make something clear for you. I’m an engaged man. I found a woman far better than anyone could ever be. There’s no one I’d choose over her. Don’t come near me again, or God forbid, I’ll ruin you.”
His grip on her wrist tightened as he tugged her to the door, opened it and pushed her out.
“Cam,” he addressed an employee without looking at him. The man looked at his boss, blinking. “Get her out of my sight. I don’t care how you do it. I don’t want anyone letting her i again.”
Cam turned to look at the woman before sighing.
“Yes, sir,”
Arvil walked back into his office and slammed the door shut.
Daisy was avoiding Arvil. Again. This time, she lasted longer than she had before. It had been nearly a week since the incident, and she hadn’t visited or called him once. Or answered his calls, for that matter. Maybe he was annoyed with it, but what did she care? She had just seen him cheating— No. No, it wasn’t cheating. They weren’t really together, so it wasn’t really cheating.
So why did she feel so hurt by this? Why did she feel so empty? So hollow?
Arvil sighed. He hadn’t seen or heard from Daisy in God knows how long. What did he do this time to deserve the silent treatment? She wasn’t even answering his calls.
Finally, the black-haired man decided he had enough. When she refused to answer his phone, he stood up, informed Noah he was leaving, and was outside of her apartment a few minutes later.
He rang the bell and waited.
Daisy was just changing into something more comfortable to wear around her apartment than her work clothes when she heard the doorbell ring. She glanced toward it, technically looking at the wall between it and her, her brows furrowed in confusion. Did she know someone was coming over today? Did she have any plans? No… No, she didn’t. No plans.
So who was at the door?
“Just a minute!” she called, pulling on a loose T-shirt over her checkered pajama pants.
Once dressed, she started toward the door, pulling her hair up as she walked. She opened the door and nearly shut it again when she saw who was there.
“Oh. Arvil. To what do I owe the please?” she asked flatly, her face an impenetrable mask of calm.
Arvil looked at her, unblinking, though he was a bit peeved. And confused. It seems he had done something to offend her, but what did he do?
“Messages being left at seen, calls going straight to voicemail, no signs of being alive…” Arvil stared right into her beautiful eyes. “Exactly what did I do wrong, love, to deserve this cold treatment?”
Daisy turned away from his gaze, unable to meet his eyes. He looked at her like he saw right through her… It was disconcerting, throwing her off.
“I think you know what you did. Maybe you don’t quite realize it yet, but you know it,” she said quietly, finally meeting his eyes again. “I told you I didn’t want to be used, that I didn’t want to use you. I feel like that’s what happened, though. Like that’s what’s been happening…”
“Excuse me, what?” Arvil quirked an eyebrow. “You’ve got me a little lost. Could you elaborate, please, so I know exactly what you’re trying to say? Because sweetheart, I’ve got no clue as to what I did wrong.”
But if he hadn’t… why did she look so upset? What in the world did he do to make her feel like this?
“I can’t do this anymore, Arvil…” Daisy sighed, rubbing at her face with her hands. “I just— I just can’t…”
Arvil was confused beyond words. He reached forward to grab her hands gently.
“Daisy, I won’t know what I did if you don’t tell me,” he said softly. “Please.”
Daisy shook her head and turned away, pulling her hands from his. “No. No, I can’t— I just can’t, Arvil,” she breathed, squeezing shut her stinging eyes. “We’re done. Okay? No more pretending. No more faking it. We’re just done.”
Arvil looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time. Did she really mean that? Was she truly… ah, that meant Gavril’s threat was over. She didn’t need him anymore, did she?
“Do you mean that?” He asked softly, hoping she’d say no.
Daisy sighed, tearing a hand through her hair and staring toward the kitchen. Anything to avoid meeting his eyes… But she had to for this, so she dragged them back to him, trying not to let her pain show in them.
“Yes,” she whispered. No…
Arvil wanted to say no. He wanted to plead to her to change her mind. He didn’t want to cancel the engagement. He really didn’t want to. But she wanted it. He couldn’t change her mind.
“Okay,” he finally said, noticing the slight pain in her eyes. If she didn’t want to do this… then why was she? What did he do to make her react that way? “No more pretending, then. I suppose I’ll take the ring back, unless you want to keep it?”
Daisy opened her mouth to say something, then closed it as she looked down at her hand. She really didn’t want to give it back, but it would just be a painful reminded of what she almost had… Even if that was fake. The friendship she had grown to have with him was real enough, right? It was real. It had to be real.
She let out a slow breath, cursing herself when it shook, and pulled off the ring. She stared at it for a moment before holding it out to him, willing her hand not to shake.
