Chapter 24 Unwanted attraction
My eyes sprang open, and seawater gushed out of my mouth.
I saw a man drenched in water kneeling beside me. “I have been giving you CPR for the last ten minutes,” he breathed, “I thought you were dead.”
I quickly sat up, realising it wasn't my husband, but Alexander.
“What are you doing here?” He chuckled, “Is this the thanks I get for saving your life? I jumped out of the ship to save you.”
I swallowed and turned to the other side of the ship, stopping, but it was far away; they wouldn't even hear our screams from here.
“Where's Damien?” I panted.
“Probably on the ship,” Alexander said, “Get up, we need to find a place to rest for the night.”
I quickly stood up, “Are you crazy? This is a forest,” I winced in disgust as I noticed the sand that stuck to my wet skin.
“We do not have a choice. Do you want to be eaten by wild animals out here?” He stroked his hand. “Let's find a place to rest.”
I turned around, “Damein will find me.”
“He doesn't even know where you are!” Alexander shouted in frustration.
My chest heaved as the heavy reality dawned on me. I'm alone with a man I didn't even know. Was he a friend or foe? Would he kill me if I pissed him off?”
As I took a step forward, I noticed my dress on the ground and my lips parted in shock. I looked down to see that I had only the last layer of fabric in the dress, which had become almost transparent due to being wet.
“You stripped me naked?!” I wrapped my hands around my chest in shock.
“I couldn't have saved you with that heavy dress now, could I? The dress would have made us both sink.”
He grabbed my arm and began to yank me further into the woods, “You didn't touch me, did you?”
“I did.”
“What?!”
“That's how I saved your life, Charlotte.”
“Oh.”
“What? Are you disappointed?” He finally stopped and turned to face me.
My cheeks turned red. “I'm a married woman; my husband would have your head if you touched me.”
“You are an attractive woman, Charlotte,” his gaze scanned me as he spoke, “But I would never touch you without your consent.”
The air was thick with silence until the sound of an owl broke the silence.
“Look over there,” he pointed far ahead. I squinted until I saw a wooden cabin. “That's one of my hideouts. We will stay there for the night and pray somebody finds us in the morning.”
I sighed in relief, “Thank you.”
He bit his lower lip and slid his hands into his pocket, “Don't thank me yet, owe me one.”
I raised an eyebrow, “You want something in return?”
“Yes, your friendship.”
I sighed, “Fine, let's go, I'm a little cold.”
A few minutes later, we arrived at the house. The place was cold and a little dusty. I heard him move deeper into the room.
“How can you see in the dark?” I asked as I slowly shut the door behind me.
“I come here a lot, Charlotte. I know this place like the back of my hand, gorgeous. I can walk around with my eyes closed.”
I stood by the door, my cold feet against the wooden floor as I wondered what he was up to until the fireplace suddenly lit up.
I looked around the living room. Unlike the exterior, it looked like a home. There were three couches and a table in the middle.“This place is beautiful,” I said in awe.
“Not as beautiful as you,” he winked.
“Don't you think you are too old to be a flirt?”
His hands flew to his chest. “Ouch,” he said, then a smile suddenly formed on his lips. “I'll show you a bedroom to rest, he said, and began to head towards the end of the living room.
I followed silently until he pulled the door open and walked in. He walked deeper into the room and, just as he had in the living room, he lit up a fireplace and turned to face me. “There are a few of my clothes in there,” he pointed at a small cupboard. “Clean yourself up and join me in the living room.”
He slid his hands into his pocket; he seemed to do that a lot. He walked towards me, his gaze lingered on my bare shoulders. Even though the room was dull, he asked to see clearly. “Turn around,” he instructed.
His gaze moved up to mine. “Turn around, Charlotte,” he spoke softly.
I swallowed, puzzled, but I turned over either way.
I felt his hand scoop up my hair, and he pushed it to the side, “You are a fascinating young lady, aren't you?” He murmured.
“What?” I asked even though I heard him.
His fingers brushed against my back, “These scars….how did you get them?”
“Oh…, it's a long story.”
“Please …. .bless my ears with it,” his husky voice pleaded.
I turned to face him, “Uh…my parents…” The words felt like a knife in my throat. I had thought I was over it, my parents' torture, the needles piercing into my back; the memories were still so vivid.
“Your parents hurt you?” he asked.
I nodded, “Yeah ... they would jam needles in my back whenever I offended them.”
His eyes clouded with pity, he slowly turned me around again, “Does it still hurt?” He asked, and I could feel the warm air from his lips on my back.
“Not anymore”
My eyes sprang wide as I felt his lips against my back. I quickly moved forward and spun around, “Are you crazy? I have a husband!”
He didn't have that cocky look on his face anymore, just guilt, “I'm sorry I couldn't help myself.”
“Get out!” I shouted before he could let out another word.
He quickly stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him.
I pressed my back against the door and slid down it. “Please find me, Damein,” I muttered.
After a few minutes, I had changed into one of Alexander's shirts in the cupboard. It was oversized, which worked well for me as it covered my body. As I brushed my hair with my fingers, I heard a knock on the door.
I turned around and slowly walked to the door, but I didn't open it. “What do you want?”
“I'm sorry,” he apologised.
I pinched my lips together, “I know.”
“I brought you dinner.”
My brow knotted as I pulled the door open, and the smell of roasted meat suddenly hit my nose. “Where did you get this?”
“I hunted”
I parted my lips and my brow raised, “You know how to hunt? And how did you cook it in such little time?”
He shrugged nonchalantly, “I'm that good.”
I reached for the plate in his hand, “You are still wet, you should change.”
“I know, oh…Before I forget,” he said as he brought out a pair of flip-flops he had been hiding behind him, “They might be a little oversized, but your feet must be cold.”
I smiled. Maybe Alexander wasn't such a bad guy after all. “Thank you,” I said, taking it from him and putting it on the floor as I quickly slid my legs into it. “I'll wait for you in the living room while you change,” I said as I stepped out of the room and headed to the living room.
I slumped into the chair and crossed my legs in it, my mind fixed on Damien as I tossed some meat into my mouth. It tasted nice and crunchy.
I sighed, “My husband must be so worried,” I muttered.
My brow raised as I heard footsteps outside the house. Alexander and I were the only ones here. Was there an enemy outside?”
I quickly placed the plate on the table and slowly stood up. “Who's there?!” I shouted, but there was no response.
The air suddenly turned eerie.
Suddenly, the door kicked open, and two men rushed in; one wielded a pistol and the other a knife.
I let out a loud scream.