I’d thought we'd made progress in Italy, that he didn’t hate me, that he might even want more with me, even if just a little bit.
But now… I feel like he can’t even look at me anymore. I’m not sure if I did something, or if it’s from the‘family meeting’Nathan called, but I hate it. I enjoy Oliver’s company.
Steeling myself, I take a deep breath and mentally tell myself to suck it up. I make it two steps before his phone dings and stops me in my tracks. He fishes it from his pocket, and I watch his face turn a bright red before his eyes dart up to meet mine.
“I-I have to, um,” he looks around in a panic, and I take a step back, not understanding. “I have to use the restroom.”
He’s gone before I can even think of something to say, and I’m left standing there, alone.
“What was that about?” Vince asks as he comes up behind me, and all I can do is shrug.
“He said he had to go to the bathroom.” I look up at him to see if he has any clue, but he looks just as confused as I feel.
“Oh well, let's get her dresses and get out of here. I think she’s had enough scary stuff to give her nightmares for the next week.”
For a second, I’m worried. Why hadn’t I thought about nightmares? But she doesn’t look scared at all; if anything, I’d say she looks bored.
I’ll just keep an extra eye on her for the next few days.
I pay and cringe when the teen who’s working the register gets wide-eyed at my black card, which makes Vince laugh.
Asshole.
By the time we pile in the car, Oliver is there, with a bag of his own, and while I’m curious, I bite my tongue.
The next day is Halloween, and I’m shocked to see everyone home in the morning. I wake to find Des in my bed, shirtless, a mask on his face, and I damn near fall off the bed.
“Shit, sorry, Kitten, I forgot you're so jumpy,” he says with a laugh, reaching out and saving me at the last second.
It takes me a second to get my breathing under control enough to be able to think properly, but when I do, I smack him square in the chest.
“My jumpiness has nothing to do with you being masked in my bed first thing in the morning. That would scare anyone, jerk.”
He laughs, reaching out to pull me to him, but I refuse.
“Oh, don’t be like that. I was only playing. I thought book girls liked masks.” I can’t see his smirk, but damn it if I can’t hear it.
“You did not just say that.”
“What, I might not read much, but I have TikTok too, you know.” This time, when he grabs for me, I duck out of his hold and move to the bathroom.
It’s too early to deal with his brand of crazy right now.
Of course, that doesn’t deter him, though, and as I stand brushing my teeth, I feel him move behind me. I spit and rinse out my mouth before splashing water on my face to try and chase away the last little bit of sleep when I peek up and see him lurking behind me and stop dead.
Damn.
Des stands with his mask, right behind me, his chest and arms bare except for the ink that covers so much of his skin; there's more of it than not now. His muscles bulge as he crosses his arms, and I can’t see his eyes, but I can feel where they burn my skin at the hem of my borrowed shirt turned nightgown.
Last night it was one of Alex’s button-ups. I love wearing their things. They smell just like them, and it’s like they're here even when they can’t actually be right here.
Plus, I know they love it.
“If you want to have a chance at leaving this room, you really need to stop looking at me like that,” he growls, pitching forward so that he’s caging me against the counter, his arms on either side of the sink, his body just inches away.
Shit.
I know this isn’t the time for this, but I want it to be.
