Chapter 78: Chapter 78

I gave a half shrug. What was he up to? I heard what he said, but I acted like I had not heard what he said. It was probably for the best to pretend like I had not heard, since he didn't seem keen to repeat himself.

I jumped down from the table and wandered over to the bed, pulling the blanket over my head.

Romeo got up from the chair, and put the box back in the cupboard, then turned to face the closet. He pulled out a black t-shirt and threw it on, still silent.

"So, how many girls have you had on the bed?" I asked, breaking the quiet.

Romeo turned to face me with his eyebrows lifted. It wasn't quite a glare, but there was definitely a hint of judgment in his gaze. I instantly regretted asking the question. I should have kept my mouth shut.

I flopped down on the bed, resting my head on the headboard. "Don't give me that look," I grumbled, pouting my lips.

"Is that a question coming from someone who didn't appreciate it when I asked if she had sex with her boyfriend?" He shot back.

"But, I did answer your question, in the end," I protested, lifting my shoulder in a half-shrug.

"I'll answer yours now, but only because you did the same," He uttered. "You're the first girl to be on my bed - and in this room, for that matter."

My eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you. What about Samantha?" I challenged him.

"If you choose not to believe me, that is on you then," He mumbled.

Romeo drew closer, until he was standing directly in front of me. I held his gaze as he came to a stop. I watched as he walked over and sat next to me.

He leaned down, close enough that I could feel his breath on my face. "I love it when you pout," He whispered. "Do it again."

My cheeks burned. I tried so hard not to blush. He could not know the effect he was having on me.

"No, I won't do it again," I said, looking away from him.

"That is okay," He mumbled under his breath. "The image of you pouting was already stuck in my memory,"

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. It was as if the mere presence of Romeo had robbed me of my ability to speak. What sort of sorcery was this? What kind of hold did he have over me?

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to speak. "I don't know why you enjoy messing with me so much," I muttered.

Romeo smirked."You could consider it a hobby of mine," He uttered, his voice low and intense.

"Do you still remember the game we were playing? Are you ready for your third question?" He inquired.

"Yes," I answered, nodding my head.

"What if I kissed you right now?" He blurted out, his voice low and intense.

My mouth fell open, taken aback by his straight and forward question. I wasn't sure if I was more shocked by his question or by the way he had phrased it, as if he seriously wanted to go for the kiss, then contemplating my response.

"Don't," I muttered, my voice soft but firm.

"Do you think I would take you seriously with the way you just whispered?" He asked, his eyes boring into mine, as though he could see right through me. "Your voice is a turn on,"

"Romeo, no!" I insisted. "I have a boyfriend."

"You don't have to remind me of that every time we talk," He snapped, raking his fingers through his hair. "Don't you see it? You're mine, Ivy."

I shook my head. "No, I'm not yours. I would never cheat on my boyfriend, even with you," I retorted. "How would you feel if I kissed another guy while I was in a relationship with you?"

"This is not about me. This is about you, and what you want, Ivy. I know you want me to kiss you," Romeo rambled.

"I-I don't want to kiss you!" I stammered, my heart racing in my chest.

My lip trembled as I spoke, fear taking hold of me. I didn't like the way he was raising his voice, or the way his words lashed out at me.

Romeo kept going, his voice rising with every word. "You don't want me to kiss you, yet you followed me home, now you're in my room. What the heck do you think you are doing? You are acting like you don't even give a fuck about me anymore when both of us - "

A tear fell from my eyes."Romeo, stop!" I yelled back at him.

"Stop, please," I begged him, my tears falling freely now. I covered my mouth with my shaky hands, trying to hide my sobs.

~ ROMEO ~

I could feel my fingers curling into fists, my nails biting into my palms. I closed my eyes for a moment, struggling to regain control of my emotions.

I had messed up again.

I fûcking messed up.

Why couldn't I get a handle on this? I thought I had this under control. But, it seemed I had been fooling myself. I just didn't know how to keep my feelings in check when it comes to her.

Now I despise myself more than ever. I made her cry again.

I leaned closer to her, filled with regret. "I'm so sorry, Ivy," I murmured.

I reached out for her hands, trying to gently pull them away from her face. But she flinched away, sobbing into her palms.

"Please forgive me," I begged. "I didn't mean to hurt you,"

Ivy lowered her hands, but she still would not look at me. "Can you take me back to the party, or to my house, please?" She asked.

"It is late," I replied.

Her eyelids dropped."I don't want to be in this room with you," She whispered.

The word "with you" rang in my ears, making me feel even worse. I had hurt her so much that she didn't even want to be in the same room as me.

I rose from the bed, and I headed for the door. When I reached for the doorknob, I paused and looked back at her one last time.

"Good night," I said gently.

As I turned to leave, I heard her muffled sobs, and the sound broke my heart.

I went to Jason's room, and I could see him lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. I crawled under the covers without a word.

"What did you do to her?" Jason asked, not turning to look at me.

"I'd rather not talk about it," I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

"I hate love, you know," Jason said quietly. "It sucks,"

I squeezed my eyes shut. For the first time in what felt like ages, tears spilled from my eyes.