A deal with the devil
1960 Words
4.
**NATALIE'S POV**
His hands wrapped around my shoulders like that, gave me warmth as he led me away from those bullies. I had entered the school, and they cornered me, dragging me outside without waiting for me to say anything.
The next thing I knew, waters were splashing at me and being one to catch a cold easily, I had already started shivering but thankfully, Maguire came to my rescue.
We got to a closet, and he shut the door before bending to my level. He still had an annoyed expression on his face, as if he wanted to go back and teach them a valuable lesson.
“Are you okay?” He asked softly.
I just stared at him, unable to say anything. I wasn't used to being helped like this or to someone standing up for me. Back in high school, I was bullied with no one but my best friend, Madison, to help me. I preferred her company to anything and being an introvert, it was pretty hard for me to voice out my pains or hurt.
So, Maguire standing up for me like this made me speechless. A feeling of warmth rose to my body as he cupped my cheeks.
“Did the cold water freeze your mouth and you can't answer my question?” He asked and I sighed.
“I'm fine,” I answered. I could see his annoyance fading away as he smiled at me.
“Why did you just stand there and allow them to pour water on you?” He asked, reaching into one of the shelves there. He brought out a towel and was about to help me dry off but I took it from him and started drying my hair with it.
“According to them, it was their tradition.” I answered plainly and he scoffed.
“f**k that dumb tradition! What if you caught a cold? You have to learn to stand up for yourself regardless of what they say or how intimidating they look.” He folded his hands.
“Are you scolding me now?” I rolled my eyes at him and he sighed.
“I'm just worried about you.”
“Relatable,” I rolled my eyes again, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
He scoffed. “Stop giving me that attitude. Don't feel too important because I said I was worried about you. I just did what a brother would do for his sister.”
And he was back to being annoying.
“And don't feel too significant because you helped me. I would have found a way out by myself if you hadn't shown up.”
“You didn't look like you were ready to find a way out. You were shaking like a leaf,” He smirked and words failed me. I pressed my lips into a thin line and kept quiet.
“I don't think you'd get dried off before lectures start. I think I'd have to take you back home to change.” He offered.
“No, I don't want mum to see me this way.” I answered. I wasn't ready for her to tell me how worried she was. And at the end, she might ask Maguire to act as my bodyguard this time around. Putting up with him as a stepbrother and sharing an apartment with him was enough. I don't want more headache added to the ones I already have.
“Well, you definitely can't go for lectures, looking like this,” He sighed. “Come on, I'll take you to my place instead and maybe look for something that might fit you in my wardrobe.”
“But I can't wear your clothes to school.” I protested.
“Then we're going to ditch school today, it's not like anyone cares.” He held my hand and started leading me out.
“What! Ditch school? I resumed just yesterday. I can't miss today's lectures.” I complained.
“I have the timetable. I'm your tutor, remember? We can have the lectures at home and also brush over the ones you missed.”
He left me speechless as we headed for the car. I could feel the student's gaze on us, and it made me uncomfortable. The girls looked like they would give anything to have me dead, and no one needed to tell me why they were glaring daggers at me.
It was because of Maguire. Things like this also happen in high schools. There's usually a guy all the girls are dying for, and looking at Maguire's physique and demeanor, no one needed to tell me he was the school's Greek god, and someone the girls would do anything to have.
Their eyes followed us until he drove out of the school, and I let out a sigh of relief.
“I still don't think this is necessary.” I protested again. It didn't feel right to me, and I keep having this strange feeling that this wasn't a good idea.
“That's your business.” He rolled his eyes and I huffed. Why was he suddenly being rude?
Mum was right when she said his apartment was close to the school. In less than twenty minutes, we arrived, and I got down from the car, taking in the surroundings. This wasn't an apartment but a house.
As we stepped in, I couldn't help but take in the striking features of the interior decor. There was a big screen television in the living room, the sofas plush and comfortable. There was a small bar to the side and a mini library filled with books that caught my eye.
“Wow, this place is beautiful.” I mumbled, barely able to take it all in. Maybe, staying here wasn't a bad idea after all.
He smiled, his eyes crinkling. “I'm glad you like it,” He walked into a room and came back later with a long sleeved shirt. “Take this and put it on. I checked, but couldn't see any trousers that'd fit you. You're tiny.” He chuckled, and I glared at him, shutting him up.
I took the clothes and made my way to the toilet to put them on. The long sleeve was big, but it was okay since it covered my laps a bit. I stepped out, holding his jacket and the wet clothes in my hand.
When he turned and saw me, his eyes roamed all over my body, and I cleared my throat. “Stop staring at me like that.”
“I wasn't staring at you,” He took the wet clothes from me. “I'll go hang them, so they can dry off.” He walked away and I smiled before sitting down.
I used that opportunity to look around the house once more. I didn't get the chance to savour the moment when the slam of books on the table jerked me up.
I looked up to find Maguire shirtless again.
“Dude, put some clothes on!” I snapped, not wanting to peek at his abs again.
“Why? I'm at home and need fresh air.” He pulled his hair to the back and I quickly looked away, not wanting to be tempted.
“What are these books for?” I changed the topic.
He sat down beside me. “We're learning math this morning.”
“Math?” I exclaimed. Math was like my worst subject. No one told me there was math in Literature.
“Yes, it's a course everyone in school is forced to take, irrespective of your area of study or department.” He sighed.
“I hate math!” I frowned with my hands folded.
“You have no choice, Missy,” He gave me a pen and opened the textbook. “We're starting with Geometric Progression,” He said, and I groaned.
As he taught me, I nodded my head acting like I understood everything he was saying, but my mind was elsewhere. My eyes went to his broad chest, and I couldn't help but drool. When I realized what I was doing, I scolded myself mentally.
'Get a grip, Natalie! He's your step brother.'
I sighed and tried to focus, but it wasn't working for me. My eyes kept going to him. The last time I tried to look at him again, our eyes met, and he held my gaze for a very long time.
As he stared at me, I could see something twinkle in his eyes. I couldn't place my hand on what it was. As soon as his hands found their way to my cheeks, something ignited within me and I found myself leaning into his touch.
He pulled me close and cupped my cheeks. Before I knew it, his lips made contact with mine as he engaged me in a hot, searing kiss. My insides churned with sensations, and I found myself reciprocating.
I could hear the alarms sounding in my head, cautioning me — warning me, and bringing to my realization that he was my stepbrother, and we shouldn't be doing this.
This wasn't right.
But I was lost in the pleasure. The kiss became deeper and more passionate as his hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer to him. I gasped when his hands caressed my thighs, sending jolts of electricity into my system.
Just as he was about to cup my breasts, my eyes opened, and it took every self-control I had to pull away from the kiss.
“We have to stop, Maguire. This isn't right. I feel bad.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ears.
“But Natalie—”
“I'm serious, Maguire. We're siblings.”
“Not by blood.” He replied.
“But, that shouldn't be an excuse. I don't feel comfortable with this.” I sighed and looked away.
He made me look at him, his gaze on me soft, pulling me in. What the heck was wrong with me? Yesterday, I found this person annoying and was ready to give the whole world out to not see his face. Why am I feeling this way today? Why is my body aching for him to touch me? As much as I knew this was wrong, I still couldn't stop myself from craving his touch.
“Natalie,” He called, and I blinked. “I know you feel the same thing I'm feeling right now. You have to stop being doubtful and give us a chance.”
I shook my head. “No, Maguire. What do you want people to say if they find out? What do you want mum to say? This is unacceptable.” I sighed.
He stared at me for a while, and his mouth curved upwards in a mischievous smirk immediately. Why do I have the feeling he's about to make a bargain?
“Let's make a bet then.” He smirked.
“A bet?” I asked.
“Yes. Out of everything I've taught you about Geometric Progression, I'm going to give you three questions. If you pass, I'll let you be, but if you fail…” He trailed off.
My heartbeat accelerated, and my ears perked up, waiting to hear what he had to say.
“If I fail?” I inquired, already impatient. I was eager to hear what he had to say.
He leaned closer and whispered into my ears sensually. “If you fail, I'll drive you crazy, and you'll scream my name until you lose your voice.”
I gasped, realizing I had already walked into that hell he talked about, and in that hell, I was about to strike a deal with the devil.
- Writer
