Chapter Ten

I've hardly known Adrian for more than four hours, yet, I feel like I've known him since we were kids. Even if he is just one of those personable people that feels familiar, I'm not the type to get attached so easily. I can't wrap my head around it. Even with my high school boyfriend, that I was with the longest, the only tears I shed when I dumped him was for Instagram. I've gone through so many friends and guys with no issues separating myself from them, because the top rule that I make myself follow is not to get attached. Everyone leaves eventually, so it's better to push them away before they have a chance to hurt me first.

My mind wanders briefly to the so-called friends that I left behind without a word. Afterword got out about my attack, they all pretended to care about me so much and came to visit me in the hospital for the duration of my recovery. The second that I told them what happened and who did it to me, they all turned on me like a pack of hungry dogs.

*"Jason would never do that."*

*"You're a lying bitch."*

*"You're just lying for attention. You're so pathetic."*

*"You've always been a whore."*

Just the memory of it makes my stomach churn. No. I definitely won't go through that again. Suddenly, I feel dirty. Like all of the scum from the past semester is still clinging to my skin, weighing me down like a stone. I'm mostly done with the closet anyway, so I decide to take a break from unpacking for a little while.

I place my headphone back into their case to charge and retrieve the bag with all of my toiletries, before heading to the bathroom. I place my bag on the counter, admiring the white and gold marble that makes up the floor and the walls of the room. The light fixtures and accents are all gold, giving the bathroom a luxurious feeling. Judging from the light panel by the door, it looks adjustable. I play with it a little, turning the lights red and dimming them for the ambiance.

I reach for the zipper of my romper and discard it onto the floor, along with my panties. I know just the thing to make me feel better, and I retrieve my favorite toy from my bag. I gather all of the shower items I brought with me and pile them into the shower with me as well, turning the water on hot.

I squeeze some body wash into my hands and lather my entire body with it, taking my time with my most sensitive area. I plan on enjoying my alone time while I have it, but the only thing on my mind now is my stupid bodyguard with his stupid, handsome face with his stupid broad shoulders.

I lean against the shower wall as I recall the way he looked at me earlier in the bedroom. So dark and so longing... I turn my toy on and close my eyes, enjoying my imagination of what I wish he would have done to me before leaving. I imagine that the minty aroma from the body wash is coming from him, with his stupid alluring scent and his stupid muscles... that's it. It doesn't take me very long at all to finish, bringing me to my knees as I spasm deliciously.

I'm left panting, pressing my cheek to the shower floor as the water cascades over my sensitive skin. I can't believe how fast it was compared to usual. Maybe having someone new to fantasize about helped. Even after a few minutes, my heart continues to race as I think about his face and his impossibly dark eyes.

I manage to sit upright again and smack my cheeks lightly, bringing myself back to reality. Am I really so desperate that I'm using Adrian to get myself off already? It hasn't been that long since I was with a man consensually, so I can't explain why I suddenly feel so breedable. I must just be lonely.

The thought is sobering enough to push me to my feet, where I continue my shower like a normal person. By the time I'm cleaned up and have my hair raised clear of conditioner, I feel rational enough to dry myself off and rejoin society. I step out of the shower, only to realize with horror, that there aren't any towels. Of course, there would be furniture, but no towels in sight. That's just my luck.

I dry my hands off on the small hand towel that I manage to find on the counter before heading to the bedroom to get my phone. If he's been living here for a few months, surely Adrian has one I can borrow.

The air in the bedroom is cooler on my damp skin than the steamy bathroom, making goosebumps rise on my body. I resist the urge to shiver and pause at the end of the bed to scan the room, looking to see where I left my phone. I eventually spot it on the nightstand and take a step towards it, but a sudden, frantic knock at the bedroom door pauses me in my steps.

I startle at the sound, wrapping my arms around as much of my body as I can cover. Surely the three men from the vineyard wouldn't have found me, not after Adrian just assured me of my saftey here with him. Still, the thought of the possiblity makes my heart leap into my throat as I scramble for something to hide my naked body with.

"Um-" Is all I manage to get out before the door swings open with so much force, I'm surprised they stay on the hinges.

"Lydia?" Adrian calls, panic rising in his voice.

I try to dive behind the bed, but his eyes land on me a moment too late. I'm not sure how much he saw exactly, but it's enough to make him curse in suprise.

"Oh my God!" We exclaim at the same time, peering at each other over the bed.

"I was about to call you for a towel! Do you always just barge into people's homes like that?" I can't help the raise in my tone, though I'm relieved to see Adrian standing in the doorway instead of someone else... literally anyone else.

Adrian blinks in surprise at my nudity before having the decency to cover them with his hand, taking a step to the side to face the door. He extends his hand, revealing a towel. "I did! You didn't answer the texts or my call, so I got worried!" He flings the towel at me and it lands on the other side of the bed, just out of my reach.

"I was in the shower," I say stupidly, making a lunge for the towel. Adrian peeks through his fingers before I grab it, wrapping myself in it as well as I can. "You perv!" I screech, grabbing a pillow and swinging it at him in embarrassment.

He allows me to hit him once before he grabs my wrist, halting my second swing. "I'm sorry!" He pleads but holds his ground in the doorway. "I forgot to bring you a towel, and I assumed you would want to rinse off after unpacking. I didn't think you'd be running around naked so soon."

I hold his gaze for a moment, trying to gauge if he's lying. Why else would he just so happen to have a towel when he showed up? My heartbeat pounds in my ears as I stare back at him. I'm sure he must be able to feel my pulse against my wrist, but he keeps his grip on me. I swallow and glance away awkwardly. "What kind of landlord has a fully furnished house but no towels?"

Adrian's gaze never wavers. "What kind of tenant doesn't check for a towel before taking a shower?"

I struggle to free my wrist from his grasp, but if he didn't willingly release me, I wouldn't have had a chance in hell at getting out of his vice grip. I cover my chest with the pillow, hugging it to me. The embarassment hits me hard. "I was in a hurry."

Adrian narrows his eyes and tilts his head quizically. "In a hurry to shower?"

I stare back at him, waiting for it to click in his head. It doesn't seem like he'll realize anything soon, so I sigh and turn away in frustration. "I was hungry, okay? I wanted to go get some dinner." I lie but soon realize it's true. Underneath my anger at being embarrassed, my stomach rumbles.

Adrian scrubs his face with his hand. "Okay. I'm really sorry that I barged in on you like... that," He pauses, looking me over. I must look like a wet rat, standing there shivering with my soaking hair.

I clench my jaw in annoyance. "Fine. Are you going to stand there and watch me get dressed too?"

"Well, I have seen everything already,"

It takes me far too long to realize that he's joking and give him a dark look. "I didn't realize we would bond so much on our first day together."

He sees my arm twitch and he raises his hands, backing up in surrender before I can chuck it in his direction. "Okay, I'll wait downstairs."