Page 7 of Wilder Obsessions

The usual crowd is already here, filling the space with laughter, conversation, and the clinking of glasses.I make my way behind the bar, slipping into my role as if putting on a mask.The night starts like any other, with the usual rush of orders and the comforting rhythm of work.Leaning down behind the counter, goose bumps erupt over my skin when I hear a low, raspy voice in front of me asking for a drink.

“Whiskey, neat,” he orders in a deep, commanding voice that sends shivers down my spine.I look up to see the most vibrant and alluring yellow eyes I’ve ever seen.The older man is huge, even seated, I know he’s probably a foot taller than me.Something crosses his handsome face when I stand and reach for the bottle behind the bar.My hands tremble slightly as I pour the amber liquid into a glass, my thoughts racing.

“Coming right up,” I stammer, trying to sound casual despite the storm brewing inside me.Why is he looking at me like that?I feel like prey caught in a predator’s trap.

He watches me intently, his gaze unwavering, as if I’m the only thing of interest in his world.I can feel heat creeping up my neck, a blush I can’t control.He’s the most striking man I’ve ever encountered.His shoulder-length black hair frames a chiseled face, and the tattoos snaking down his arms only enhance his intimidating yet captivating presence.He’s definitely older than me but I don’t know by how much.He doesn’t have a single gray hair but there’s a dark wisdom that seems to radiate from him.

“Thanks,” he says, his voice smooth yet powerful, pulling me even deeper into this strange connection.He gulps it in one sip, his lips pressing against the rim of the glass, and my heart races as our fingers brush together when I retrieve the glass from the bar.Fire blossoms through my whole body at the brief contact, and I try my best to keep my cool.Holy shit, why do I feel this way?I’ve touched hundreds of patrons, and never have I reacted like this.

“I’ve never seen you here before,” he muses.

As I pull my hand back slowly, I gasp when he wraps his fingers around it, sealing me in a bond I never anticipated.Every inch of me is alight, and I know I should pull away, but it feels like my body has a mind of its own, entranced by the warm callouses of his skin caressing the back of my hand.

“I’ve been working here for a while,” I manage to squeak out, desperately trying to remain professional and push away the burning tingle his touch ignites within me.“Guess our paths just haven’t crossed.”

He smiles—a slow, almost predacious grin that makes my heart skip a beat.“What’s your name?”he asks, leaning forward slightly, drawing me deeper into his magnetic pull.“It’s not every day I meet someone as intriguing as you ...Starlight.”His words flow over me like warm honey, wrapping around my senses and affecting me unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

“My name is Arwen,” I reply, the syllables barely escaping my lips as our eyes lock, the warmth swirling between us intoxicating.

He chuckles, the sound low and rumbling, sending a shiver through me.“Arwen.A name as beautiful as the stars you’re likened to.”

We stare at each other for a moment, before a voice beside us clears its throat.Kit is standing there, staring at me, an eyebrow raised in question.My face heats, and I duck behind the bar, retrieving a beer from the cooler.I can feel Kit’s eyes on me and my ears grow hot with embarrassment.Why is it that every time I look at this guy, my stomach ties itself into a million knots?

The mysterious man begins to look me over with his heated gaze.Soon, anger flashes in his eyes, causing me to step away, instinctively covering my throat, somehow knowing he can see the marks left from my past.The scars are my enemies, dark reminders of the shackles I wear.

After a few seconds of tense silence, I walk away to help the rest of the people waiting for drinks.I glance back, catching him with a woman hanging all over him, probably ready to buy him the expensive champagne I bet he’s used to.That is if her assets aren’t blocking the bottle.I chuckle to myself, trying to mask my feelings with humor.But with every step I take, I’m left wondering where the fire that blazed so furiously earlier had suddenly extinguished, leaving him stone cold.

Suddenly, the man’s voice cuts through the noise of the bar, “What happened to you?”His tone is rife with concern and a controlled fury that surprises me.“Who did this?”

Tears prick my eyes at his bluntness.I hate being seen as this pathetic human, trapped in an abusive relationship I haven’t found the courage to escape.I try to formulate a reasonable explanation, one that won’t lead to him demanding to know the source of my scars.But before a single thought can solidify, the first tear falls.

His eyes soften as he sees the truth etched on my face.The weight of his gaze feels unbearable, and I know it’s too late—I’ve bared my soul beneath the harsh lights of this clandestine bar.I begin wiping tears off my cheeks as an internal battle plays out behind his hard exterior I sense his restraint, like a coiled spring ready to snap.

“I’m sorry.It’s time for my break,” I stammer, the vulnerability in my voice sharper than I intended.Without waiting for a response, I rush through the back, barreling through the exit.Kit is still managing the bar and will cover for me for a few minutes while I try to compose myself.

Outside, the cool night air kisses my flushed cheeks, and I lean against the wall, desperately trying to catch my breath.Lyrics pop in my head, so I close my eyes and begin to sing to myself.The vibrations of my voice circle around me, pulling me from my despair and lifting my heart.My song washes over me like a wave, calming my mind and body, providing a rare moment of peace against the constant turmoil.Singing has always seemed meditative to me and I guess that’s one positive thing I can hold onto.I hear footsteps beside me and hesitate to glance over, fearing what I might see.My song stops, bringing back the agony.Crying isn’t an option.I can’t allow anyone to see me at a moment of weakness.Jarrod hates when I cry.He won’t let me explain my emotions, it only makes him angrier when I do.So, I’ve learned to hide my feelings.Now I’m out behind the building in a dirty alleyway, alone and shaking.I’m disgusted with the level of despair I’ve allowed myself to fall to in his presence.

“Arwen!”The voice rings out, that same low rumble that floods my mind with thoughts of warmth and danger.“Wait!”

I turn, caught in a moment of hesitation, and there he stands—my mysterious stranger, now devoid of that entertaining woman, his eyes searching for mine.

A sob erupts from my throat.Fuck.Why does this always happen to me?Why is everything falling apart, like this world is determined to kick me while I’m down?

“You can’t just walk away like that,” he demands, frustration and concern intermingling.“Who hurt you?”

I lock eyes with him, searching for an escape, but I feel the gravity of his presence firmly anchoring me.He gently wraps his arms around me and pulls me against him.To my surprise, his touch is reassuring, the gentle caress of his fingers sending a rush of relief and security through me.

“What’s your name?”I whisper, my voice barely escaping me.

“Wilder,” he says softly, contrasting the storm inside me with his calmness.

With each exhale, the stress of the day escapes my lungs until I have nothing left.I lift my face to meet his eyes, only now noticing how close we’re standing, our breaths mingling.An understanding settles over him as his eyes narrow, searching for an answer that my body has betrayed.My cheeks flame, and I want to pull away from his closeness.

“Who did this to you?”he repeats, trailing his fingers over my neck, causing me to involuntarily flinch.Anger flashes in his eyes, but I know it’s not directed at me.

My heart is racing as he stares me down and I shiver as his anger becomes palpable.The black pupils constrict and dilate, betraying his intense emotions.He leans back and closes his eyes for a second, then he exhales, shakes his head, and glances to the side.When he looks at me, his eyes have returned to their natural light-yellow hue.

He swallows hard, as if coming to a decision, then leans back to look at me, eyes unblinking.

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