Darkest Deception (Deception Series)

11

With my hood up, I drop my burnt cigarette to the ground. My eyes do a slow sweep of the grounds. The guards never see me hidden in this place. Despite their schedules changing every night, it’s easy to pick up on the pattern.

Easily rushing across the grass, I take hold of the pipe that leads up the side of the house and climb onto Ambrose’s balcony. I am quick to drop to my feet onto the marble of the balcony. It’s way too easy.

Many times, I’ve leaned against the railing of this very balcony and watched her sleep. I watched her thrash in her bed, small tears falling down her face as if she were reliving a nightmare.

My curiosity never dimmed.

It never strayed.

There has always been a why with her, and I am going crazy with my unanswered questions.

Why the fa?ade?

Why commit the sins when you couldn’t bear the consequences?

Why be who you are when you know it would turn you ugly in the eyes of others?

One must repent in order to rebuild their life.

Ambrose didn’t do that.

I step over the threshold and into her bedroom.

Her bed, with its plain white wooden bed frame, is pushed against the right wall. A rectangular mirror faces her bed, and there’s an ensuite bathroom as soon as you enter her room on the left. A walk-in closet is in front of me, and there are a few tall plants here and there. The plants are the only hint of colour in her room.

The shower shuts off.

The minute the door creaks open and I hear the soft padding of feet, my eyes dart to it. I made sure to time the lights switching off at this very moment. They all go out except the ones visible to the guards, as to not raise suspicions.

The sight in front of me shatters my resolve. Her wet hair sticks to her body, and her black leggings and a tight shirt mould to her body. The sight of her top clinging to her breasts, her nipples peeking through the top makes me grind my teeth. Ambrose is wearing fucking plain leggings and a shirt that reveals nothing but everything at once. The view has my blood rushing south, and my hands ball at my side.

She looks up, brushes her hair with her fingers, and freezes when she spots me.

I should be advancing towards her to make her relive it all the torment she’s inflicted upon others, but I am frozen too.

My eyes don’t fix on a single thing. I take in all of her. Her blond wet hair trickling all around her face, the soft skin of her face, the paleness resembling an unreachable cloud. Her nails manicured and painted nude, her bare feet.

I hate her. But I also desire her. She just doesn’t realise it yet.

“W-What…” Her voice is soft, and her lips part on a gasp. Her face is bare, as it always is when the earth is cloaked in darkness.

But today, for the first time, I have the privilege of looking at her closer, to see her face bare of any makeup at all. To discover the reddish hue to her cheeks and the paleness of her skin as if she were a doll. A weak, breakable doll that could shatter under the slightest pressure.

Ambrose with no makeup has me weak in my knees.

She looks… precious.

Delicate.

I would have never used these words to describe Ambrose, who is usually all harsh lines, scowls, and a bitter tongue.

I take a step forward, my combat boots thumping on the wooden flooring. She takes one back.

“Why are you here?” There is a tremor in her voice as her eyes flick all around, possibly to find an escape, or maybe a weapon.

“I’ve caught you now, little sin.” My voice is the same, and I fear she may know who I am, but when fear takes over people, they are usually unable to think rationally.

“What do you mean? Stop. Why are you walking towards me?” She takes one more step back and slams against her bedroom door, her hand frantically feeling around for the doorknob.

“The minute you exit through that door, I will catch you. What follows after that may not be as nice.” I tilt my head, and a small frown turns her lips down.

“Tell me, little sin, have you ever thought of me?” The words slip out. My mind always takes a different turn when I’m around her.

“N-No. Did they send you? Why are you here?” She bites her lip, and her arms wrap around her chest as if she’s trying to guard herself from me.

Is she expecting someone else? I haven’t given her much to work with.

“Hm, how should I answer that question?”

I advance towards her, my footsteps like the tick of a clock. Her breaths come in short pants. Soon there is just one metre left between us.

She stands up straighter, jutting her chin out, and snaps, “I’m not scared of you, if that is your aim. For months, you’ve haunted me and my nightmares. How dare you just waltz in here as if it’s your given right?”

I lift a brow at her standing up to me. Her strength is unmatched, and something a lot like pride blooms in my chest.

I close the distance between us and press her against the door, caging her in with my arms on either side of her face. I lean down, thankful for the balaclava that covers my face. I could wear contacts, but I don’t really care if she finds out.

“Is that so?” I murmur, leaning my face forward.

The thrill of the unknown between us has me craving a taste of her. I want to press my lips to hers. To steal a kiss as a secret between us, but she won’t know it’s me.

So I restrain myself.

I let my eyes wander down her body, and my fingers skim up her thighs. She clamps them shut. I look at her. There is revulsion within those fierce eyes and yet something is brimming on the edge of it. Her eyes are drowning in fear mixed with … something dirty.

“Yes. I know they sent you to make my life hell, but I’m already living with the consequences of my actions. If you have been watching me, surely you would know that.” The honesty in her voice stops me.

Who are they? And why does she keep referring to them?

Is someone after her for what she has done?

I don’t answer her question, wanting to see if she’ll keep talking, but she doesn’t utter anything else.

“I shouldn’t be touching you like this, little sin. In fact, I should be staying outside, but I can’t help but want to know if your daydreams ever have me touching you… like this…”

She frowns, but when she rubs her thighs together, and my interest spikes.

“No. Never. Get out. Right now, or I will shout for security.”

Her threats don’t scare me.

“Oh? But I told you to stay put. I don’t want to resort to any harsher methods. I only want to touch you, to feel this porcelain skin that glows under the moonlight, to look at you from a step closer.”

During the day, Ambrose would never let me. She would push me, hit me, and even bite to get away from my touch, but there is a vulnerability in her eyes right now. She thinks I was sent by someone.

That was long before this, and since I hired her, there is no need for me to be here anymore, yet here I am.

She takes a deep breath in, closing her eyes for a moment too long.

I take this time to watch her. To just look at her.

For one second.

Two seconds.

Three.

I keep looking at her, watching the way her slim nose twitches slightly when she breathes out. Her lower lip is just a fraction fuller than her top one. I see her dark lashes, the faint purple veins on her eyelids, the tinge of red to her cheeks from the shower, and the faint sparkle of water on her face.

Everything. I see everything.

And only then, just as I am about to count the droplets on her face, does she open her eyes.

Earthy brown, swirling with tinges of a softer honey colour.

They prove to be a lot softer, a lot warmer, than when she is biting at me.

My heart bounces inside me.

“What touch?” she whispers, her eyes wide and curious. “I-I will give you anything, but don’t touch me.”

When I raise my hand, she cringes back against the door, shutting her eyes tightly. I drop my hand.

“Why? Are you repulsed by me?” I tease.

“I hate my body. I hate to be touched. So please don’t,” she whispers.

My amusement flees.