We’re not evenly matched, with the way he can just pick me up and throw me, but I give as good as I can get. It’s fun, which is not something I thought I would experience with him. He’s a completely different person here, and it’s not helping my budding crush in the least. I kind of need him to go back to being an asshole, just so I can get a grip and remind myself that I have my guys, and they are all I need. Between Emmet, Tucker, Aeron, and Darius, they complete me. They call to a different part inside me, but it begs to differ. Who calls to the darkness that occasionally needs to find relief, before I lose my way completely?
We stay in the water for a good hour, before we make our way back up to his house. I jump in the shower, leaving my water soaked clothes strewn on the floor, while he disappears into his room.
I wash the salt out of my hair and skin, before I step out and slap a hand against my forehead. Where’s my head these days? How could I possibly forget to grab a towel?
I look around, but there’s nothing in here. I could make a dash for my room, but this isn’t an en suite, which means I have the risk of running into Thallon on the way. If I don’t, then I’m stuck in here. There is no easy option. I’m going to have to risk it, and hope that he hasn’t finished.
I crack the door open before I stick my head out and glance around. I can’t see him, and my door is straight ahead, and one to the left. I wrap one arm across my chest, covering as much as I can, before placing my other hand between my legs. It’s not perfect, but at least… yeah, no. I can’t even try to put a positive spin on this if he catches me.
I push the door wider with my foot, before making a run for it. I keep my head down, just in case he’s in the living room. If I don’t see him, then he isn’t there. Yeah, because that makes it true. Oh shut up, sarcasm is not helping right now. Neither is arguing with myself, but one problem at a time.
I veer left, and slam into a hard body. The impact sends me backwards, and it’s only Thallon’s hands on my arms that stop me from falling.
My eyes fall on his bare chest, and the towel wrapped around his waist. He clears his throat as he releases, and I stumble back slightly, using my left arm to grip his arm to find balance.
Oh shit!
“I’m naked.”
Why did I just say that? My hand drops down between my legs, as he bites the inside of his cheek. His eyes travel down, and I realize just how little my arm covers my chest.
“Why aren’t you wearing a towel?” I can hear the laughter in his voice, even if it does sound a little deeper than usual.
“I f-forgot to t-take one in there.” My whole body goes bright red, and it sure as hell isn’t from any sunburn.
“There’s a cupboard in there with towels in it. Do you want me to get you one, or would you rather continue your run?” He’s definitely laughing now, and I’m growing redder by the minute.
“Run, please,” I squeak, as he steps out of my way and I don’t look back as I run into my room. Even as his laughter follows me inside.
I can barely look at him as I walk out of my room, with my hair pulled back into a braid and a pair of bootcut jeans on my lower half. He requested these, but I have no idea why. He didn’t mention a preference with my top, so I have a pale pink halter neck on, with a nude strapless bra to keep me decent. As if that even matters anymore, although his parents haven’t seen me naked, so at least there's that. And now, I’m embarrassed again.
“I have a pair of boots for you by the door.” He stands up and I swallow as I take in his dark washed jeans, black leather biker boots, and tank top. He’s also got on a leather jacket, and it makes me miss the one that D gave me. I never even considered bringing it with me here.
“There’s also a jacket, seeing as you seem to be a fan of leather.” He still sounds as though he’s laughing at me. All I can do is nod as I scurry off to get my boots and jacket.
The jacket is a light brown leather, and feels supple in my hands. The boots are similar to Thallon’s, but they’re brown to match the jacket.
“Put them on,” he orders from behind me.
I slide the boots on, before zipping them up at the sides, and sliding the buckles in place. I go to grab the jacket, but it isn’t hanging up anymore.
I turn around to see him holding it. He’s just standing there, staring at me. It’s beyond unnerving, even though all he is doing is holding my jacket for me to slip it on.
He closes the distance and I slide my arms inside the sleeves, he pulls it up to my shoulders, before pulling my braid out. His fingers brush against the back of my neck, and I can’t hold in my shiver, as he steps around me and slides the zipper up. I stand here, uselessly. His eyes never waver from mine, even as he pulls the zip up past my breasts.
“Come on, Koala. Let’s go meet the parents.” He moves towards the door, but stops when I grab his arm.
He peers at me over his shoulder, with his brows arched. He knows he doesn’t have to use words to ask his question. Why am I suddenly grabbing him? My question to myself is, have I lost my damn mind? Yes, yes I have. Probably two years ago when I hit submit if I really want to hazard a guess.
“You called me Koala, why?” My eyes search his, but he doesn’t say anything. Just burns me with his gaze. He captures my wrist, and pulls my hand away, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he steps in, until we’re toe to toe, and I can count every fleck in his chocolate brown eyes.
“Please, will you tell me?” His touch burns my skin, this moment feels significant. Almost as though it could be a turning point for us. Maybe one where we stop hating on each other, maybe we’ll never be friends, but I’ve enjoyed being here with him, away from prying eyes.
There are no guards monitoring our every move, no risk of stepping outside and running into a threat to my life. The strangler is gone, and I no longer think there is more than one person. Sir explained it all to us, I’m not sure how he’s going to keep Bradley from keeping his mouth shut though. The amount of hate he must hold for the entire place, he’s already going to prison. What’s to stop him from spilling all of the secrets that Sir would do anything to keep hidden?
“It’s just a name, Luna. Words don’t always have to mean something. Come on, it would be rude to keep my parents waiting.” He tugs me out of the door and I stumble into his back.
His chuckle fills the air once more as he leads me over to a motorbike and climbs on. He passes me a helmet, and I slide it over my head silently. He clips the strap in place, and tightens it before he slides his own on. He flips up the front of the helmet, revealing the whole of his face. I didn’t even know helmets could do that, I thought only the visors move. Learn something new everyday, especially around these guys.
“Jump on.”
“I… is it safe?” I really wish he would stop laughing at me, I’m starting to get a complex.
“Just get on, Little Mouse, and yes, you’re acting like a scared little mouse right now, so I think it’s rather fitting to call you that.” His eyes are intense and they almost dare me to refuse him.
I mean, I did jump out of a plane, I should be able to trust him enough to sit on the back of his bike. Then again, I don’t trust him. He's given me no reason to.