@navyvoyeur she was just happy to have a nice roommate โ someone who was could look past her situation. โthank you, reallyโฆโ she took a breath, โdo you like dumplings?โ a random question, but a great follow up waited.
@navyvoyeur โgood, iโm glad,โ she waited, somewhat impatiently for the water to boil. she hummed as she listened, โit looks niceโฆ thanks for uhโฆ letting me crash here for a bit. i really appreciate it.โ
@navyvoyeur โit was longโฆ it was okay! just, long,โ she started, turning to get a mug and her tea leaves. โmy one class where iโm TAโing? thatโs gonna be toughโฆโ she sighed gently.
โhow was your day? i missed youโฆโ
@navyvoyeur โitโs alrightโฆ i probably have to get my meds adjusted or something,โ turning to lean against the counter opposite him. a soft smile, โthatโs very sweet. iโm okay, but.. thank you.โ
@navyvoyeur โstared at the ceiling for two hours. 30 minutes counting sheep, crying. nothing worked,โ she chuckled sadly, grabbing the kettle and filling it with water before setting it next to his pan on the stove.
@navyvoyeur her face softened, still feeling bad for scaring him. she shook her head, gently waving him off, โdonโt worryโฆ really.โ she walked further into the kitchen, looking for the teapot.
@navyvoyeur she puts her hands up immediately, taking a gentle step back and frowning. โiโm sorry! iโm sorry! i didnโt want to scare you โ and i did anyways, iโm so sorry!โ
still shaking like a dog, she sat still in the backseat of his suv. silent tears streamed down her face as she met his gaze in the rearview mirror.
her lips parted, as if she was attempting to speak but nothing came out.
cain opened the backseat of his suv, stuffing her inside then slamming the door. he calmed himself with a breath then got into the driverโs seat.
his eyes flitted to the rearview mirror to watch her. โthat wasnโt so hard.โ
she couldnโt breathe, her mind flashing back to what she had already gone through.
scared into silence as he growled, his sharp teeth giving her the slightest understanding. no words left her, just a terrified nod โ no longer fighting him.
her heartbeat was thundering in his ears, and the scent of her fear was nauseating him.
โstop fighting!โ he growled through gritted teeth. his pointed canines made apparent. โif you come with me, iโll see to it that youโre rewarded.โ
maggie almost screamed when he gripped her hand. her heart racing so fast she was scared sheโd pass out.
trying to pull away from him, โstop it. let go of me!โ she felt her head spinning, the whole moment barely feeling real.
he gave one short nod and dashed towards her in a blink. cain gripped her hand tightly in his, bringing her along with him as he began walking towards his car.
โi tried to ask politely,โ he grumbled.
her body stiffened for a moment, heart racing as he asked. he scared her, truly he did. but for some reason she couldnโt stop talking to him and interacting.
โn-noโฆโ
nola felt her stomach drop further when he blinked at her. something felt soโฆ odd.
โi-i still donโt understand whyโ you want me to likeโฆ give an opinion.โ she regretted saying it as soon as she spoke,โiโm sorryโ iโve had a long day and iโm trying to figure-โ she kept rambling
he blinked a few times. apparently he wasnโt making himself clear.
โnot my home, necessarily. but my business. the lodge. iโd like your opinion on its interior and possibly updating things. you seem fashionable.โ
โm-mount eden?โ she was newer to town, still gathering as much information as she could. she heard of it, of course, just had some hesitancy.
โyou want me to appraise your home? iโm an english majorโฆโ
โto my lodge. mount eden, outside of town.โ he raised his eyebrows, expecting her to know of their towns largest tourist attraction.
โiโd like a fresh set of eyes to appraise it earnestly.โ
nola tried desperately to read his expression, to get any other information out of him. but she was unsuccessful, standing there like a lost puppy.
โw-where?โ her mind fighting itself, knowing its a bad idea while also being curious. โwhy?โ
again, a flash of pity struck his features at her rambling attempts to defend herself. yet all he could focus on was the overwhelming scent of her adrenaline fueled perspiration.
โcome with me,โ he spoke firmly, extending a hand.