Chapter Twenty Six
I Can't Say No To You

Under your spell again.
I can't say no to you.
Crave my heart and it's bleeding in your hand.
I can't say no to you.

Shouldn't let you torture me so sweetly.
Now I can't let go of this dream
~Good Enough, Evanescence

The date of the performance was drawing closer and closer, meaning that I had to attend more and more rehearsels.

And see more of David.

I made it quite clear that things weren't going to be awkward between us, at least not while we're rehearsing. For one thing, we were adults. We could put differences aside for the sake of the show.

And I didn't want anyone to find out.

The kiss scene was the hardest. I asked Tim, in private, if there was any way that we could alter it. I used the excuse that my partner was coming to see it and, even though it was only a performance, it made us both feel uncomfortable to know that I had to kiss another man. His repsonse?

It's a performance.

I rolled my eyes at the thought of Tim's scathing look as I asked, wishing that I could give in to my urges and slap him. But I couldn't, because he was my boss.

But it was very frustrating.

I sat on a chair in front of the stage, my legs outstretched and resting on another one in front of me while the Ronettes rehearsed their song Some Fun Now. It was their favourite song; they had total control of the dance routine for this one song, and intended to use it to their advantage.

So while they rehearsed, I looked everywhere but in David's direction. Out of the corner of my eye, I knew that he was watching me, trying to catch me eye.

Brushing my hair out of my face, I rose from my seat and crossed the studio, towards the kitchen. Tim barely noticed, too busy watching the girls to see if their routine would gain his approval. Glad for a few minutes to myself, I took full advantage of the space.

This space, however, was quickly invaded.

"Niamh,"

I breathed in before letting out a heavy sigh, still refusing to look up as I made myself a cup of coffee.

"Not now, David." I muttered.

"No, Niamh, we need to talk."

"Not now," I repeated through gritted teeth. "Not with everyone else here."

"Can we go somewhere after the rehearsal?" David asked.

"Where?"

"I don't know, back to mine?"

I snorted. "You should be so lucky."

David didn't respond, and I didn't think that he would. Still silent, he walked forwards and placed a hand over mine. I froze.

"Please, Niamh," He begged quietly. "I really want us to sort things out."

My eyes on the counter, I slid my hand away. "Fine. We'll go back to yours."

David's face lit up, but he quickly surpressed his grin. "Thank you."

"I'm not doing this for your benefit."

Looking like a lost child all of a sudden, he nodded and stuffed his hands deep into his pockets. I sipped my coffee and then looked up at him, confused as to why he was still standing there.

"Oh, sorry."

Blushing, David shuffled out of the kitchen. I sighed, shaking my head and pulling my mobile out of my pocket, typing in the home number.

Sweeney picked up almost immediately.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me."

"Oh, hello Niamh. Is there a problem?"

"No, no. I was just checking that everything is alright at home, really."

"Yes, everything is fine."

I cringed at the tone of Sweeney's voice, realising that my lie wasn't that convincing. Taking another sip of coffee for courage, I cleared my throat before speaking again.

"Listen, I'm going to be a bit late home tonight."

"Why?"

I flinched at the demand, hurridedly lying again. "It's just that Tim wants the rehearsal to continue for a bit. We're having a bit of a problem with the opening song, what with all the extras. Some of the younger members are still a bit confused, y'know."

My cheeks were burning as I said all this; the extras weren't due till next week.

"Oh. Well, have fun."

"I'll get something nice for dinner, yeah?"

"If you want to. Bye."

"Bye."

Unable to stop the guilty feeling washing over me, I turned my phone off and tucked it into my pocket. Feeling eyes on me, I looked up.

Across the studio, David was smiling at me.

"Here we are."

I didn't answer as David brought my car to a stop. I reluctantly agreed that he would drive us to his place; he had taken a bus that morning and was no good at giving directions.

Undoing my seatbelt, I snatched the keys from him and climbed out, waiting for him to follow suit before locking the car.

It felt wrong following David into his flat. For someone that was living alone, it was very nice. It was also surprisingly clean.

Seeing my silent scrutinisation, David grinned.

"I like to keep it up to a high standard, just in case I get visitors."

At this, his grin grew. I gave him my darkest glare.

"Believe me, I would much rather be at home."

He laughed without any humour, gesturing for me to go into the living room while he got us drinks. I reluctantly did so.

"You can have a seat."

I spun around to see David walk in with two glasses of red wine and a small smile. He offered a glass to me, but I didn't take it.

"I prefer to stand." I replied stiffly.

"Oh. Ok. Well, have a drink at least."

Again, I didn't take the glass from him. "Are you trying to get me drunk?"

"It's a glass of wine, Niamh. It's hardly going to kill you." David snapped back bitterly.

"And I've got to drive home to my partner who right now thinks that I am still rehearsing!"

A grin slowly spread across David's face. "You lied to him?"

"It wasn't for your benefit."

"But you still lied."

"What is this, David?" I demanded. "Are you going to pick faults in my relationship in hope that I will jump into bed with you?"

"Are you sleeping with him?"

"That is none of your business!"

"So you're not."

"What does it matter to you?"

"It matters to me because I care about you!" He cried. "I don't like the idea of you being stuck in a relationship where you're not happy!"

"I am happy!" I yelled. "I'm very happy! I couldn't be happier!"

"Then why have you lied to him?"

I resisted the urge to slap him, instead choosing to clench my fists as I took in a deep breath.

"David, you wanted me to come over so that we could talk," I said as calmly as I could. "You did not say that you were going to pick faults in mine and Sweeney's relationship, which actually happens to be none of your business."

"Sweeney?" David snorted. "You're dating a guy named Sweeney?"

"It's an Irish name!"

David laughed again, walking forwards with his arms outstretched. I immediately took a step back, bashing into the counter behind me.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, suddenly scared. David's grin fell as his arms lowered.

"I'm not going to hurt you..."

"Look, this was a bad idea. I'd better go."

Pushing past him, I headed towards the door. David, however, ran after me.

"No, wait."

I continued walking, but he grabbed my hand. I immediately stopped, hating it that my pulse jumped ever so slightly when he did so.

"Please, Niamh," He said quietly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

His fingers weaved through mine as he gently pulled me around to face him, his free hand gently cupping my cheek. His thumb followed the line of my cheekbone.

"I really do have feelings for you," He continued. "And I've had these feelings for a very long time."

Tears sprung to my eyes. "David, if you had told me this at that first rehearsal, I probably would've agreed to be your girlfriend. But I'm with someone."

"Do you love him?"

That threw me slightly.

"I..."

"I love you, Niamh," David whispered, taking a step forwards. "I really love you."

I didn't know how to respond. My mouth was open to speak, but I couldn't make any words come out. Tears of confusion sprung to my eyes as I willed myself out of this situation.

"I'm with someone." I repeated feebly.

"Niamh, think about it. If you were really so happy with this Sweeney guy, would you have lied to him about where you are?"

I didn't respond. David sighed, stepping even closer still.

"I'm not trying to hurt you. I just want to make you happy."

"By making me cheat on Sweeney?" I whispered, a tear escaping and rolling down my cheek.

"I'm not making you do anything, Niamh. It is totally your choice."

This was so unfair. I wanted to be with Sweeney so badly, but here was this temptation of David. But I couldn't give in.

Could I?

While I battled with myself, David gently led me away from the doorway and back into the living room, helping me sit on the sofa. I looked up at him.

"Say it." I whispered.

"Say what?"

"Say that you love me."

David smiled, gently brushing the tears from my face. "I love you, Niamh."

I couldn't help it.

I kissed him.

Thank you JDeppIsMyLovely, CadyD, Erica Lovett, KigekiRyuu483, Shelia Chiaroscura, PurpleandBlackPandas, Saphire Bethany Stacy Skyle and Taylor Todd Riddle Sparrow for reviewing!

Heaven's Light will be updated sometime tomorrow, hopefully!