Desire To Love by Madeline Piper (year 7 reading list txt) 📕

a better look at him. He looked better from when I last saw him.
“Hey, Lure. I made dinner if you’re ready?” I smelt the spicy musk of his after shave and figured it as being a new ‘day’ for him. I nodded. He reluctantly stood and left giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
I soon afterwards got up from the bed and took a shower with a quick brushing of the teeth. I slipped on a bra and underwear and a thick pair of navy blue jeans before I remembered the man’s jacket.
I continued dressing where I finished with a black tank top and a thick wooly pull over finally wrapping his jacket around me. Black boots warmed my feet and a white towel held my hair. I started downstairs.
My father was at the table eating his dinner and ushered for me to sit. I chose the seat directly in front of him on the far side. Today’s dinner was tasty as usual. My dad’s famous meatloaf and mac n cheese with sparkling apple cider but it was quiet a typical night in this house. I was focused on getting back to the park in hopes of seeing that man again but I doubt dad would let me leave.
So I asked him, “I’m leaving soon. Just thought you should know.” I didn’t technically ask.
He didn't look up from his plate. “Where are you going? I’m not in the mood for another one of sheriff’s calls.” He sounded serious.
“Dad, I’m just going to the park. It’s not like I’m going to kill anyone.”
“I don’t want to hear anything about killing or death in this house young lady. We’ve suffered enough of them.”
I was about to retaliate but thought better of it. Instead I nibbled at the garlic bread. “No.” He continued. My eyes shot up but his didn't meet mines.
“What do you mean no? I’m old enough to go out by myself.” I hated speaking to him like that but I just can’t take being told what to do.
“I mean you are not to leave this house, Lure. I haven’t even given you a punishment for what you’ve done. Do you think you could just do what you want when you want?”
“Dad,” I started.
“No, Allura not another word on this subject.” Anger stirred with in me and my face must be obviously turning red. I stood and left not bearing to see his glare. I heard an exhale as I ran up the stairs and slammed my bed room door. I plopped onto my bed and screamed into the pillow. I don’t know why I’m upset he was just being the father he thought was appropriate. I cried. Not only for him but for myself. I wasn’t making any of this easier for him and I sure as hell haven’t made the wisest choices.
There was a knock on the door as he pleaded his sorries to me. I was about to tell him that it was my fault but something restrained me.
“Allura, sweet heart, am sorry.” He pleaded.
I groaned when I said my next words but meant every one, “Dad, I’m the one that’s supposed to be apologizing. I over reacted. I love you, good night.” He left without another word.
The time was 1:00 when I climbed from my window onto a loose vine that snaked beside my window. It took me a while to reach the ground but I made it. Dad was asleep and so was the entire neighborhood so there was nothing to fret about. I found my way back at the bench where I met the man. The snow had begun to melt so it was wet and icky. I sat and hoped for another miracle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 2

Allura


A thud like the one from before occurred and to my surprise the man was the one that caused it. He wore a tight black t-shirt that showed his chiseled abs just enough and a pair of jeans the gave a slight preview of his manliness. I wondered how he could wear such light clothing in weather like this. Pushing that suspicion out of my head I stood and greeted him only this time he wasn’t as enthusiastic.
“I’m so glad you came.” I said sincerely. “You forgot your jacket. I just want to return it.” I out stretched it to him. He took it and shoved pass me not making any eye contact.
“Hey,” I continued. “Aren’t I the one that needs cheering up?” I followed him to the bench and sat beside him. Quietness filled the air once more. I didn't want him to leave like yesterday so I kept my eyes at his feet. “Talk,” I said and nudged him in the side with my elbow.
He didn’t move. His face was in a serious expression and I contemplated on what he was thinking about. Finally, he looked up from the ground and then into my eyes, his beautiful ocean blue eyes. Something swept over me because I found myself not being able to peel away my eyes. There was something unusual about him something fascinating. The way he looked and the way his skin was deathly pale. The way he would clench his fists and grit his teeth whenever he came next to me.
“Speak,” I commanded and for a second it looked as if he was going to do it but he thought better of it. I just wanted to hear his sexy voice before this dream ended. “I won’t bite.” I tried to making my voice sound playful but it was impossible. I was in his trance. My eyes still couldn’t be removed from his and it seemed as if he was engulfed in my gaze as well.
“What’s your name?” He finally whispered. He was so close that I felt his warm breath on my exposed skin. Waves flew down my spinal cord and I felt obligated to answer him.
“Allura,” I mumbled. “What’s yours?” He kept silent.
“Allura,” He repeated. It almost seemed as if he were tasting my name on his tongue. It satisfied me.
“What is your name?” I asked. He gritted his teeth.
“Taren.” He whispered and I repeated his name as he did mines. There was something about it that I couldn’t put my finger on.
“Well Taren, how long are we to stare at each other like this?” My question made him blush and released my gaze. He was so cute the way he blushed. He smiled. The smile that could melt me easily and it caused me to giggle. “Did I make you uncomfortable, Taren?”
“No,” He replied flatly and out of the blue he stood to leave. I couldn’t let that happen, he actually made me smile. I grabbed his elbow and the unexpected happened. He grabbed my arm and threw me to the ground splashing mud all over my clothes. I was scared and a part of me felt angry.
His eyes were flared as he looked at me and my fear grew. All I did was touch him. After what seemed like minutes his glare softened and he reached out to help me up but I declined by dodging his touch. A few more moments passed before he turned and left but this time I didn't object.

There was something about Taren that amused the hell out of me and even though he touched me I didn't feel threatened. It kind of turned me on.
I trudged home like before but the walk seemed longer. The bright side about it was that it wasn’t as cold and the sun was beginning to peek through the trees.
Minutes passed before I suddenly felt eyes at the back of my body but when I turned to see the source there was nothing. I continued walking but I also continued to feel the eyes. I turned again. Nothing.
“Must be an owl.” I reassured myself but picked up the pace. Yet I kept feeling eyes on me. I broke out into a run believing that I wasn’t feeling things. This time I heard the snapping of twigs and the pants of a person behind me…in the same speed I was running. I was about to scream for help when unexpectedly hands covered my mouth and eyes. I let the scream out but it was muffled.
I began thinking of my dad and how he would be devastated to hear I was dead after he specifically told me to stay home. I couldn’t let that happen. I heard the licking of lips and a pleasured sigh behind of me and the breath of the persons grazed my neck. It was cold.
Using my elbow I jabbed it into the person’s ribs and for a brief second they released me. I didn't look back but I began to run again screaming for help but it was hopeless. There wasn’t a house in the distance.
“Leave me alone!” I yelled as the hitting of boots approached. To my luck a puddle was in my way and my leg got caught in the mud. “Please,” I begged as I crashed against the ground hitting my head on the pavement. My world went completely dark.

His eyes, his beautiful ocean blue eyes greeted me when my eyes fluttered open. I had a piercing head ache and the base of my neck was itching like crazy. Taren was pressing a warm wash cloth against my head and his eyes never left mines.
“W-where am I?” I stuttered. I peeled my eyes from his and scanned the room. It was mine and the window was wide open. Cool breeze flowed in and fluttered his dark hair.
“How did you get in here? What happened?” I proceeded. His eyes were glassy and his touch was soft. His touch how didn't I notice? I was in my bra and panties. I hurriedly tried to cover myself with the sheets he only smiled and rose.
“I have seen more, Allura.” He commented. I gave him a confused look.
“What happened?” I persisted. I began to scratch my neck where I felt a rash form. I pulled away my fingers and looked at it…blood. “What,”
“You were attacked, that’s all I can tell you.”
“What do you mean that’s all you can tell me? I demand to know.” He looked into my eyes and once again I felt trapped. A smile rose on his lips as he leaned forward towards me. I pushed him away and rolled off the bed. I don’t know why I did that I wanted to kiss him but not with questions left to be answered.
“I’m unusual, Allura. I’m what you humans call…never mind. Let’s get to the point, you were attacked and I saved you.” His face quickly turned hard.
“Who attacked me?” I dared to ask.
“A messed up version of what I am.” He replied.
“What are-“
“You can’t know!” He gritted his teeth again but I wasn’t afraid of him… not now. I