Chapter 32: XXXII

Chapter 32: Eyes on Me

The usual buzz of chatter and laughter filled the air as the group gathered at Jordan’s house for another of their casual hangouts. The living room was a chaotic mix of snacks, board games, and half-empty soda cans, with everyone sprawled out across couches and bean bags.

Riley sat at the edge of the couch, her phone firmly in her hands, her thumb scrolling absentmindedly through her screen. The glow of her phone lit up her face, her attention far from the conversations swirling around her.

“Riley, your turn!” Maya called, waving a deck of cards in the air.

Riley barely glanced up.

“Pass,” she said without much thought, her focus still on her phone.

Maya rolled her eyes, muttering something about Riley being a buzzkill, but the group let it slide, resuming their game. Everyone except Elena.

Elena sat cross-legged on a beanbag, her gaze fixed on Riley. She didn’t even pretend to be interested in the game anymore. Her usual calm demeanor was tinged with something sharper, something possessive.

“Look at me.” Elena’s voice cut through the noise, soft but commanding.

Riley’s head snapped up, her eyes meeting Elena’s.

“What?” she asked, caught off guard.

Elena didn’t break eye contact, her expression unreadable.

“I'm not repeating myself” Elena  sharply replied, her tone carrying a weight that silenced the group for a moment.

Riley blinked, unsure how to respond.

“I… I wasn’t trying to ignore you,” she said awkwardly, glancing at the others, who were now watching with varying degrees of curiosity.

Elena’s lips curved into a small, sharp smile as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

“I like your eyes on me,” she said softly, her words dripping with something intimate yet firm, like a mother gently chastising a child.

Riley’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and she quickly shoved her phone into her pocket.

“Okay, okay, I’m here,” Riley said, raising her hands in surrender. “No more phone.”

Satisfied, Elena leaned back, her gaze never leaving Riley.

“Good,” she said, her voice low but pleased.

The tension broke as Jordan clapped his hands together, trying to lighten the mood.

“Alright, Riley’s back in the game! Let’s get this going,” he said, handing her a set of cards.

Riley took the cards, her focus shifting back to the group. But the weight of Elena’s gaze lingered, a constant reminder of the moment they’d just shared.

---

As the evening wore on, Riley found herself stealing glances at Elena, who was now engaged in a heated debate with Danny about some obscure movie reference. Despite her irritation earlier, Elena looked relaxed, her laughter ringing out as she playfully shoved Danny’s shoulder.

Riley couldn’t help but smile. She’d never seen anyone so mesmerizing like Elena— she was calm, confident, and utterly magnetic.

A nudge on her arm broke her thoughts.

“You okay?” Maya asked quietly, her brow furrowed.

“Yeah,” Riley said quickly, brushing it off. “Just zoned out.”

Maya didn’t look convinced but let it drop, turning back to the game.

Riley’s gaze drifted back to Elena, who seemed to sense it. Elena’s eyes flicked to Riley’s, catching her in the act. A smirk tugged at Elena’s lips as she tilted her head slightly, as if to say, Caught you.

Riley flushed and quickly looked away, focusing on her cards.

---

When the group decided to take a break, everyone scattered—some to the kitchen for snacks, others to the backyard for fresh air. Riley stayed behind on the couch, idly shuffling the cards in her hands.

Elena approached quietly, sitting down beside her.

“You’ve been quiet tonight,” Elena said, her voice softer now.

Riley shrugged.

“Just tired, I guess,” she said, not meeting Elena’s gaze.

Elena leaned in slightly, her fingers brushing against Riley’s arm.

“Riley,” she said, her tone a mix of firm and gentle. “Talk to me.”

Riley finally looked at her, surprised by the intensity in Elena’s eyes.

“It’s nothing, really,” Riley said, though her voice wavered. “I just didn’t feel like talking much.”

Elena’s eyes softened, but there was still a flicker of possessiveness in her gaze.

“You don’t have to say much,” Elena murmured. “But I need to feel like you’re here. With me.”

Riley swallowed hard, her heart pounding.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

Elena smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Riley’s ear.

“Don’t apologize,” she said. “Just… stay present. Okay?”

Riley nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

Elena’s hand lingered for a moment before she pulled back, her expression softening even more.

“Come on,” Elena said, standing and holding out a hand. “Let’s get some air.”

---

Outside, the cool night air was refreshing, a stark contrast to the warmth inside. They stood on the patio, away from the others, the distant sound of laughter and chatter fading into the background.

Riley leaned against the railing, her hands gripping the cool metal.

“I didn’t mean to make you upset earlier,” she said, breaking the silence.

Elena stepped closer, her presence grounding.

“I wasn’t upset,” Elena said. “Just… distracted by you being distracted.”

Riley glanced at her, a small smile playing on her lips.

“You sound like a jealous girlfriend,” she teased, though her tone was light.

Elena’s lips quirked into a smirk.

“Maybe I am,” she said, her voice low and teasing.

Riley’s breath caught, her mind racing.

“Elena…” she began, but Elena cut her off, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them.

“Eyes on me, Riley,” Elena said softly, her gaze locking onto Riley’s.

Riley nodded, unable to look anywhere else even if she tried.

“Good girl,” Elena murmured, her voice sending a shiver down Riley’s spine.

They stood like that for a moment, the air between them charged. Finally, Elena stepped back, her expression warm but still tinged with that commanding edge.

“Let’s go back inside,” she said, her tone casual again.

Riley nodded, following Elena back inside, her heart racing as she replayed the moment in her mind.

One thing was clear: Elena had a way of pulling her back into the present, no matter how far she drifted. And Riley wasn’t sure if that was comforting or terrifying. Maybe both.