Shadows In Durango

*****Sofia's POV*****Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Snuggling up under the sheets, I watch some YouTube videos on my phone feeling content that I was back in this luxurious bed for the third time.

I was also really happy that Daryl had given me the WiFi code which meant I could text and call as much as I wanted in here whilst also downloading more apps to help pass the time! Time ticked on slowly as it approached eleven, before I eventually heard the front door opening from downstairs.

Pausing my current video which was about how to make dresses from scratch, a couple of minutes passed before I heard footsteps coming towards my door, before a soft knock is heard. Not expecting anyone to come find me at this time of night, I sit up fully, watching the handle drop only to find Vincent entering inside the room.

"Hey." I greet him, unsure of what else to say as he nods back at me and lets himself fully in - closing over the door.

What was he doing?

"Here." He announces, reaching into his jacket pocket before retrieving an envelope before approaching the bed with it.

Silent, I take it from him slowly, before peering inside to find a stack of notes, causing me to gasp.

"B-But how did you? How much is here?!" I babble out, not able to understand how he got my money back considering I was under the impression that my neighbours had spent it all. "Two." He shrugs as though it were nothing as I squint.

"Two hundred?" I drawl out, knowing this can't be right.

"Darling, you and I both know that there is more than two hundred dollars in there." He laughs in amusement as I all but shake my head at him.

"But... I didn't have two thousand..." I remark, as he rolls his eyes, something he tends to do often whenever I'm slow to process his actions.

"So what? I might've added some? It doesn't matter anyway. You have it all back." He concludes, as I sigh, knowing that there was very little point to arguing with him.

He was only trying to help... I remind myself.

"Thank you." I breathe out, shocked as he chooses to take a seat on the edge of the bed beside me next.

"So, what did you do to them? After you had them removed from my apartment?" I swallow and decide to ask, knowing that I might not like the truth.

I had heard the rumours about Vincent, but I didn't know what to believe. Maybe it was all an act? Maybe he was harmless really? The only violent outburst I had seen was when he punched Reid... and that was for good reason when he set me up!

"I had them taken somewhere, and then today I had a chat with them. Turns out some of the money was stashed in the top floor neighbours apartment so we got that back." He avoids meeting my eye as he speaks, which tells me he was being careful with his words.

"How much was still there?" I push on, knowing I would figure out how much Vincent had put to the envelope.

"Eight hundred? Just over?" He tells me, as I begin to mentally count what the difference is.

He had put around $1,200 in which was a ridiculous amount to just hand over to someone.

Sure he was technically my employer at one point, before he fired me that is, and he used to pay me great money... but this was different.

He didn't have to do this, especially for nothing.

"I'll pay you back when I can." I attempt, only to meet a hand.

"Nah I don't need it." He states firmly, turning to stare at me intensely as I remain quiet once more.

He always gets his own way...

"Maybe we should talk about me living here then?" I suggest, as he motions with his hand for me to continue on, causing me to grow nervous somehow.

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"Well uh, I would like to at least pay you something for rent if I stay. That way I feel less guilty about it." I begin, as his eyes study my entire face carefully, seeming to shift from my hair, to my eyes, to my cheeks before ending on my lips. "How many times will I have to tell you that I don't need your money?" His voice grows deeper, as his eyes fall over slightly, before he licks his lips in one smooth motion.

What is he doing to me... why am I suddenly this nervous?!

"B-But I want to pay..." I protest, as his eyes jump back up to meet my own, silently testing me.

"Maybe you can pay me in other ways darling." He cocks a brow, as my breathing becomes laboured.

What was he saying?!

"Vincent please? Listen to what I'm saying! I want to stay here, but I want to pay you something in return. B-But you'll have to wait..." I mumble the last part, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Wait for what exactly?" He presses me, not understanding what I meant as I huff out slightly.

"Wait til I find a new job because well, you fired me!" I complain, breaking the growing tension between us as he suddenly begins to laugh.

I eye him weirdly, as he seems entirely amused with the fact he had, in fact, fired me from his bar but in the same night had also invited me to live at his home... how ironic!

"I almost forgot that I did that!" He retorts, his laugh deep and guiltily attractive as I swallow again.

What is wrong with me?!

"So uh, yeah, once I find somewhere to work, I'll pay you to live here, ok?" I begin, attempting to be serious once more as he smiles and shakes his head at me.

"As long as you stay off the poles, you can work at the bar." He states, suddenly causing for my heart to flutter.

Is he giving me my job back?!

"Really?" I ask, probably more excited than what I had to be, as his face grows mischievous.

A silence falls between us, as he watches me curiously, causing me to squirm a little under his stare.

What now?!

"For a price that is." Vincent drags out the catch, as I almost faint having not suspected there would be one.

Of course there would be a catch with him! How foolish of me to think he would just hand me back my job?! "What do you want?" I sigh heavily, trying not to let my frustration show but finding it hard.

"Kiss me." He deadpans, as my jaw slackens in shock, forming an 'O' shape.

What is with him and wanting to kiss me?! Between him and Daryl, the kissing was getting way out of hand...

"You can't be serious?" I test, as his lips stretch out into a wicked smile.

"I'm always serious little darling, I want a kiss." He talks, as his eyes fall back to my lips once more, as he slowly leans towards me.

The room heats up incredibly fast, as I tense up in anticipation of what was about to happen again...

"You can live here for as long as you want and you can have your job back all for the price of a kiss... and a good one at that!" He mumbles, before without hesitating, I close my eyes and allow him to initiate the kiss. Moving my lips along to the rhythm with his, I try my best to keep up with his movement, feeling his tongue forcing itself into my mouth.

Allowing him entry, I am surprised when he pushes me backwards so that I am now laying down on the bed with him on top of me - using his arms to support his weight to avoid crushing me completely. This kiss, would be a kiss I would never forget...