DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 58

enter

Chapter 58

Darrell

That Monday, after lectures ended, I headed straight to my office and dropped into the chair behind the desk. I checked my watch to see it was 11:38. Bella should be here any minute. I’d made it crystal clear noon sharp

My phone buzzed. It was Gina, and her text read

“Sorry, I didn’t reply for three days. I’ve been out of it

I stared at the screen for a second, thumb hovering, then typed back one word: “Okay,”

I leaned my head against the chair, closed my eyes, and tried to shove the irritation downt

Another buzz. Her again.

“Are you angry?”

I exhaled through my nose. Typed: “When are we telling your parents about us… about you?”

Her reply came almost instantly.

“Don’t. Please! Not yet, at least.”

I was halfway through typing something sharper when a knock rattled the door.

My pulse kicked up. Bella?

“The door’s open,” I called.

It swung inward. Not Bella. The course rep-bright-eyed, clipboard in hand, launching into some bullshit about assignment deadlines and group-project extensions. I barely listened. Rolled my eyes the second he looked away, answered in short grunts, and waved him off as quickly as possible. He left looking mildly confused. Good.

I stayed put, staring at the door, waiting a bit patiently.

Why the hell hasn’t she shown?

From the window that faced the hallway I watched students trickle past. I spotted the course rep again, heading toward the exit. I cracked the window.

“Hey. Are classes done for the day?”

He turned and nodded. “Yeah, everything wrapped by twelve today.”

“Cool. Go.”

He shrugged and disappeared.

1 let the window fall shut.

Don’t tell me she bailed. Does she really want to play this game?

I pulled out my phone, thumbed her number, and hit call. It rang once, then I heard a faint, muffled ringing right outside

1/5

end

enter

alt

8:51 am p ppp.

Chapter 35

any lour

My left brow lifted.

“Bella?” I said, softer than I meant to.

I crossed the room in three strides and pulled the door open.

There she was-standing frozen in the hallway, cheeks flaming, phone clutched in her hand like evidence. Eyes wide. embarrassed, guilty, and something hotter flickering underneath.

“Come in,” I said. No room for argument.

She stepped inside. I shut the door behind her with a quiet click that felt louder than re should have,

I glanced at my watch, then back at her. “This isn’t twelve.”

“I had a few things to do,” she mumbled, not quite meeting my eyes.

I nodded once and pointed to the chair beside the desk. “Sit.”

She did. Legs pressed tight, hands folded in her lap like a schoolgirl waiting for detention.

I walked around to my side of the desk and sat, leaning back, watching her. Silence stretched. Thick. Heavy. The kind that makes skin prickle.

Finally, I spoke. “What do you want me to offer you? Water? Coffee?”

She let out a frustrated little sigh, shoulders dropping. “You didn’t ask me to come here because you wanted to offer me anything, did you?”

I let a small, slow smile curve my mouth.

The air between us crackled.

I leaned back in my chair, elbows on the armrests, fingers steepled under my chin as I watched her. Bella stood just inside the doorway like she was debating whether to bolt or finally cross the invisible line she’d been toeing for weeks. Her cheeks were flushed-embarrassment, nerves, maybe a little leftover heat from Friday night’s call. Her eyes flicked everywhere but at me: the bookshelf, the window, the floor. Anywhere safe.

I let the silence drag. Let it press on her until her shoulders hunched just a fraction.

“You’re right,” I said finally, my voice low and calm. “I didn’t ask you here for tea and small talk.”

She swallowed and then stood up, crossing her arms like that might shield her. “Then why am I here, Darrell?”

I tilted my head, studying her the way I’d study code that refused to compile-patient, but ready to tear it apart until it worked. “Because you showed up. Even though you could’ve ignored me. Even though you could’ve blocked my number deleted that video, and pretended Friday never happened.” I paused. “But you didn’t.”

Her gaze finally snapped to mine-defiant, but trembling at the edges.

I pushed up from the chair slowly and walked around the desk until I was close enough that she had to tilt her head back to keep eye contact. Close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume mixed with something warmer, more private. Sweat Arousal she was probably trying to ignore.

2/5

it

end

enter

8:52 am p p pp

Chapter 58

uday night

continued, voice dropping softer, “you catre so hard you forgot how to breathe for a second, Said sy dance like a prayer. And then you hung up without a word.” I reached out, slowly, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear She flinched but didn’t pull away. So tell me, Bella… why are you really in my office right now? Pretending you down kie exactly what I want?”

She exhaled shakily. “This is insane. You’re engaged”

The word landed like a slap. I felt my jaw tighten, but I didn’t step back. Instead. I leaned in against her ear. “And yet here you are. Not running. Not reporting me. Not telling me to fuck of My fingers brushed the

see my voice a near-whisper side of her neck lightly and tested it. Her pulse hammered under my thumb

“You want to talk about Gina? Fine. She’s my fiancée. She’s also been dodging me for some days because she’s scared of her parents finding out we’re serious. Scared of something. Scared of everything.” I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes again. “You, on the other hand… you’re scared too. But not of me. You’re scared of how much you like it.”

Her lips parted. No sound came out at first.

I smirked, small and sharp. “Sit.”

She hesitated, then moved, sinking into the chair I’d pointed to earlier. Legs pressed tight together like she could trap the ache between them.

I didn’t sit. I leaned against the edge of my desk, arms crossed, looking down at her. “Uncross your legs.”

Her breath hitched. “Darrell-”

“Uncross. Them.”

She held my gaze for a long beat, searching for the bluff, probably. Then, slowly, she parted her thighs. Not wide. Just enough to obey. Just enough to make the skirt ride up an inch.

“Good.” I nodded once. “Now tell me the truth. No games. No bullshit. Are you wet right now?”

Her face flamed. She looked away.

“Eyes on me,” I said quietly.

She dragged them back. Miserable. Turned on. “Yes,” she whispered.

I exhaled through my nose, fighting the urge to close the distance and find out for myself. “How wet?”

“Enough that… it’s uncomfortable.” Her voice cracked on the last word.

I let out a low, rough sound-half laugh, half groan, “That’s honest. I like honest.” I pushed off the desk and stepped closer until my knees nearly brushed hers. “Slide your skirt up. Just to your hips.”

She froze.

“Do it, Bella. Or walk out right now, and we pretend this call and this meeting never happened. Your choice.”

Her hands trembled as they moved to the hem of her skirt. Inch by inch she dragged the fabric higher, exposing smooth thighs, the edge of black lace panties already darkened at the centre.

Fuck.

I didn’t touch her. Not yet. Just watched. Let her feel the weight of my stare.

3/5

Λ

end

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify