INSATIABLE CRAVINGS
Insatiable Cravings – Episode 59
Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game}
TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.
Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
~ Genevieve ~
Getting over heartbreak and rejection wasn’t something I’d ever thought I’d do—and not because I’m the high and mighty Genevieve King. No, it’s simply down to who I am.
I don’t believe in love. Sure, I’m a complete romantic for novels, but I don’t think the kind of love that exists in books happens in reality. You know, the sort that sweeps you off your feet, making you feel complete and at peace. That love that’s ravenously intoxicating to those involved—it simply doesn’t exist. Yet, it’s the one I yearn for.
And word of advice: never—and I mean never—confess your feelings to someone when you’ve got important exams around the corner. Speaking from experience, rejection and exams are not a winning combination.
In my Tuesday uniform, I strolled down the hallway, AirPods in, listening to an audiobook on my next subject. I’d have stayed in the library with Aurora, but I was nursing an awful headache that just wouldn’t budge.
I was on my own, minding my own business and not causing a speck of trouble, when someone had the audacity to give me a nudge. I turned my head, my face twisting into a grimace as I recognised the infuriating pest who just couldn’t seem to take a hint.
Liam.
“Hey, Gen,” he chirped. I checked either side of me to make sure he was actually addressing me. His boyish grin was infectious and, no doubt, flirtatious, though he’s yet to realise his charms don’t work on me.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance, staring at him, hoping he’d wipe that smile off his face and spit out whatever he had to say before I lost it.
My patience, that is.
“How are you?” he asked.
“Before or now?”
A frown crossed his undeniably attractive face. “Sorry, what?”
“Apology accepted.” I said it deadpan, and he laughed as though I’d cracked a joke. I stopped, turned to him with a serious look. “Seriously, what do you want, Liam?”
“Let’s be friends, yeah?”
That word reminded me just how much I hatéd the idea of being ‘friends’. I scrunched my face up in distaste and narrowed my eyes, watching him as he stood there with that absurd request.
Friends? With him?
Why on earth would I want that? Perhaps he’s forgotten I stabbéd him in the arm once. Maybe he’s in need of a gentle reminder.
“No,” I said plainly.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t like you,” I replied, each word slow and deliberate as I feigned cluelessness. “I think that’s reason enough.”
“But I like you.”
“So do plenty of people. Join the club.”
Liam laughed—the same laugh that captured every girl’s heart in the school—and jumped in front of me, blocking my path. I stopped so suddenly I leaned back, trying to keep some distance.
I frowned at the mischief in his green eyes, wondering what on earth was going on in his head. Tucking some strands of hair behind my ear, I tilted my head at him.
“See? That’s why I like you.” His grin widened. “Your personality is… it’s something, alright.”
Is that… meant to be a compliment?
“Thanks?”
“You’re welcome.” I let out a surprised laugh at his ridiculousness. “I thought you said I wasn’t funny. So why’re you laughing, Genny?”
Shaking my head, I walked on, determined to ignore him, but of course, he didn’t give me that pleasure.
“Friends, or I won’t leave you alone.”
“That sounds a bit like a thréat.”
“It is.”
“Alright, so you’ll write your exams with me?”
“What?”
“Well, if you’re sticking around, why not take the exams with me?”
Liam smirked, but it wasn’t quite like the one I preferred. “You win.”
“Don’t I always?”
“This is the longest conversation we’ve ever had.”
“True. And I haven’t stabbéd you yet.”
He paused, clearly surprised. “Yet?”
“Mm-hmm.”
••
With only one more paper to go today, I headed to the library in search of a book to help with revisions.
The sound of my boots gently slapping against the tiled floor accompanied my fingertips trailing along the edges of the lined books on the shelves. The section of the library I was in was silent, devoid of every sound except the gentle thuds of my boots and my soft humming to a tune.
After all, it’s a library—not exactly meant to be noisy.
Ah, there it was—the book I’d been searching for. Just as I was about to grab it, a familiar scent drifted past me, and before I could turn around, I was pulled into a room.
It was dark, but I knew instantly it was the storeroom. After all, the flickering bulb that cast our shadows on the walls, illuminating the storeroom was a déad giveaway. I couldn’t help but breathe in Dominic’s scent, even if just for a moment.
“Vixen.” His voice was low, almost possessive. He caressed my cheek, and I leaned into his hand, relishing the feel of him once more. “I’d love to hear the joke.”
Confused, I looked up at him, seeing his eyes were surprisingly cold. “What?”
This wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted him to regret his words, but now, his eyes weren’t even warm towards me. Would… would I lose him?
He stepped impossibly close, leaving no space between us. I’d say his expression was unreadable, but that’d be a lie. Dissatisfaction was written all over his face.
“Don’t play ignorant,” he warned, his voice sending chills down my spine.
“But I am. What on earth are you talking about? What joke?”
“The one that made you laugh.” I was still confused until he added with palpable disdàin, “Liam.”
Oh.
Wait—how did he know I’d laughed at something Liam had said? Did he have people watching me at school?
I knew he had people watching me outside school since the kidnappiñg incident, but I hadn’t realised they were inside as well. Should I be worried?
I looked up, my face blank and indifferent. “Yes, and?”
“Genevieve.” His voice darkened, sending a thrill down my spine.
“You do realise I’m at school, don’t you, Dominic?” I asked, raising a brow. “This way you’re holding me is…”
Before I could finish, he wrapped his fist in my hair, pulling my head back. Our eyes met, intense and heated with both annoyance and a touch of siñful desire.
“I don’t like you being around other boys…”
I rolled my eyes, cutting him off, determined to make him even angrier. “Why not? Shouldn’t kids spend time with their peers? I don’t see the problem.”
“Genevieve.”
Oh, he didn’t like that. He was on the edge, holding back his añger, but I wouldn’t be me if I let him win now, would I?
“You know, Liam asked to be friends. It’s nice, don’t you think? I’ve got you, now I’ve got him; maybe I’ll introduce you two sometime. What do you reckon?”
“Genevieve.”
Dàmn Dominic and his irritating self-control. He was better at hiding his fury than I’d expected. But I was still Genevieve King, and I had one more blow to deliver.
“I bet he’d be a good kisser. Maybe I should…”
The rest of my words stuck in my throat as Dominic tightened his grip on my hair. His fury was unmistakable now, and I couldn’t deny I was enjoying my victory. My smirk broadened as I stared at his grim expression.
“What?” I feigned innocence. “Shouldn’t friends be pleased for each other when something like this happens in… hmm, what’s the phrase I mean?” I paused for a moment, thinking. “Ah, yes. Friendship.”
A forced smile crossed his face. “Listen to me.” He pinched my jaw, lifting my face to meet his gaze more directly. “You. Are. Mine. I don’t share, and you know that well enough. The day you let Liam so much as toúch you, that’ll be his làst.”
I adored all of Dominic’s sides, but his possessive streak was undeniably the most alluring.
“I dare you, Dominic.” I leaned closer, our lips nearly touching. “The day you do that, you lose the right to touch me like this. I swéar I’ll never forgive you if anything happens to Liam.”
I dislike Liam, but that doesn’t mean I want him hàrmed or want his blóod on my hands.
“Is that a thréat, Genevieve?”
“Yes, Dominic.”
His face twisted in irritation. “For Liam?”
“Yes. For Liam.” I smiled sweetly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got to go. Exams, you know—the things kids take to succeed in life.”
I tried to pull away, but he held me close, his annoyingly handsome face inches from mine, his lips temptingly close. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him, feel him lose himself in me.
Dominic’s fingertips traced across my face, his amber eyes filled with longing and melancholy. “You’re not going to stop, are you?”
I wouldn’t, not until he admitted his feelings for me. I didn’t care if it made me look foólish.
“I told you I was sorry.” His voice sounded defeated as he continued his gentle touch, his eyes scanning my face as if memorising every feature.
“Sorry doesn’t fix it, Dominic,” I replied quietly.
“What will?”
“The truth.”
“What truth?” I didn’t answer, but he soon understood. “But…” I rolled my eyes, and, thankfully, he didn’t finish his sentence.
“I need to go.”
“Genevieve.” He pleaded softly.
I ignored him, freeing myself from his hold. He let go, his eyes misty as he stepped back.
Ouch, that sight cut right into my heart, leaving a big, gaping hole. Okay, I can’t handle this.
“Dom,” I murmured, cupping his face in my hands. “I love you with everything I have, and while I’m not alright with you saying you don’t feel the same when I know you do, I… I can handle it, I think. Why is it so hard for you to say the words when I already feel it? What are you so afraid of?”
“You. I’m afraid of losing you, Genevieve. It terrifies me. We’re fine as we are. Let’s not make it complicated with feelings.”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit late for that?”
Dominic let out a breath. “Vixen, I can’t. I really can’t.”
“Can’t what?”
“I can’t love anyone, especially not you.”
Sorry, but… what?
It wasn’t just the words but the way he said them. As if loving me would be the worst mistake of his life, like he couldn’t even imagine how… unspeakably wrong it would be. But I wasn’t about to fall apart in front of him.
“Well, then, you’ve made up your mind.” I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat, stepped away from him, and took a breath. “I suppose this is goodbye, then, isn’t it, Dominic?”
A tear slipped down his cheek, but I wouldn’t let it move me this time. I sidestepped him, twisted the doorknob, and left, my heart heavy and hollow.
Is this really it?
TBC
