CHAPTER ELEVEN

 

I’m not sure how long I’ve been hiding in here, but it’s become too stifling in the small room. I feel like I’ve been in here hours. Someone must have used it earlier in the day, because the condensation is making me sweat and I feel like I can’t breathe.

Why did I decide to hide in here?

Because you’re a dumbass, that’s why.

Deciding enough is enough, I get up from the corner of the room and open the door as quietly as I can. The room is silent, the only noise to be heard a light buzzing sound from one of the machines. Stepping out, I head towards the back stairs, hoping no one will hate me if I head up to my room for the night. But out of nowhere, a dark figure jumps out in front me, scaring the bejesus out of me.

Screaming, I step back, tripping over something behind me. Strong arms wrap around me, holding me to them. Drake’s chuckling reaches my ears and I bite back a curse.

“Oh my God, Drake, you scared the fucking crap out of me. What were you thinking?”

“Be quiet,” he whispers, still chuckling under his breath.

I slap his chest, breathing hard. “Well that wouldn’t be an issue if you hadn’t scared me.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I came in and noticed you opening the door. I knew it was you straight away. How long have you been in there?”

“Too long,” I mumble. “Have you been caught yet?”

“Six times, you?”

“None.”

“Really?” he asks, surprise in his voice.

“Why is that so hard to believe? Everyone probably forgot I was even here.”

He chuckles again and I become aware of him still holding on to me, my body pressing against his. “Nope. Everyone is determined to find you. I didn’t believe them when they said you still hadn’t been caught. Apart from you, I’m the one with the most bands left.”

“Really?” I ask, surprised and kinda relieved that it won’t be me drinking that nasty concoction.

“Yeah. Aaron is on now. He’s got one ribbon left.”

“Great,” I mutter, not exactly thrilled with the news.

“Fuck, what was that?” he asks. My heart starts beating wildly as I look behind me, hearing a door close by before someone screams, then laughs. “Fuck, we need to hide.”

Panicked, we both look around before moving. Problem is we both move into each other. Arms flailing, I try to grab a hold of Drake, who tries to reach out and steady me, but instead we both end up falling… into the pool.

“Holy crap!” I cough, spitting out water when I reach the surface.

“Shh,” he whispers, pulling me to the side as quietly as he can. The pool’s edge cools my back as he presses me against the side, his hand covering my mouth. He pushes closer and my breathing escalates, worsening when I hear the door open.

He’s so close.

Footsteps sound across the floor and I press harder against the wall, wanting to remain unseen. Drake does the same, dipping down into the water until his face is close to mine, his warm breath fanning my cheek.

Yep, seriously close.

“Where are you?” I hear Aaron mutter just as another door opens and closes. I’m assuming he just checked the steam room because movement sounds right above where we are. My whole body is tight, the rush of being caught seriously intense.

He must give up because the door to the pool room opens and closes with a thud. I breathe out a sigh of relief, my whole body sagging against Drake.

“That was close,” I whisper. My breathing speeds up for another reason when I feel Drake’s hard body pressed against mine.

And I mean hard.

Every inch of him pressing against my stomach.

“Yeah,” he croaks hoarsely, staring at me intensely.

I don’t know who moves first, me or him, but all of a sudden, his hands move to my arse at the same time I’m wrapping my legs around his waist and we’re kissing.

No, not kissing.

This is more.

It’s everything.

I sway, moving into him as my nipples harden, pressing against him. My eyes roll to the back of my head, moaning when he presses his groin against my core. I feel like I’m losing my mind, especially when he grips my arse possessively, rubbing me against him harder.

I deepen the kiss, gripping his hair tightly, needing him closer.

Perfect.

He’s perfect.

Fuck, this kiss is perfect.

“Pagan,” he moans. Hearing my name come from his lips turns my insides to liquid.

My lips tingle from the kiss, but nothing could pull me away. I’ve waited twenty-eight years to be kissed like this, and it’s better than I ever imagined it could be.

His hands roam up the front of my body, cupping my breasts, squeezing gently and making me wild with lust.

“I… ohmigod,” I moan.

He pulls away from the kiss, making me groan from the loss, but the second his lips land on my neck, trailing down to my collarbone, I’m lost again. His kiss is like his touch, hungry and desperate, and I can’t get enough as I grind myself against him.

I want him.

Now.

He stares into my eyes and I feel like he can read every thought I’m having.

“Pagan,” he groans, brushing his thumb against my erect nipple.

When did he get under my top? How did I not notice?

Reality slams into me like a loaded truck and I push him away, my face flushed with embarrassment.

“Pagan?”

The uncertainty in his voice hurts, nearly breaking my resolve. “We can’t do this,” I gasp, my entire body in flames. I’m so turned on I’m surprised I can even think straight.

“What? Why? Did I hurt you? Push you?” he asks, moving closer.

I push him away again. “No, you didn’t. I… we… I work for your family. We can’t,” I tell him, not having any other reason than the fact that he scares me. He scares me shitless because I’ve never, not once in all my life, felt the way he just made me feel. The mansion could’ve been on fire and I wouldn’t have cared or even noticed.

He’ll break your heart, my inner voice teases me, and I bite back a curse.

“Pagan, listen,” he starts, but I ignore him, swimming to the stairs and walking up them.

“I’m sorry, Drake,” I whisper, taking my ribbons off and grabbing the dressing gown from the chair before rushing towards the staircase leading to our rooms.

“Pagan, wait,” he calls out. I hear him getting out of the water, but I’m already halfway up the stairs.

When I reach Alison’s room, I barge in, not bothering to knock. She jumps away from watching the television.

“Hey… Pagan, what are you doing? Are you okay? And why the hell are you wet?”

Catching my breath, I just stare at my best friend before bursting into tears. “Oh, Alison, I just made a big mistake. The best one I’ll ever make.”

“Hey, what happened?” she coaxes gently, patting the bed.

I’m about to move when I hear knocking from down the hall. I freeze, looking at the closed door behind me.

“Pagan, open the door, please. We need to talk,” I hear Drake call and my eyes water, ashamed of the way I left things.

“Uh, what happened?”

“I… I just need a minute. Let me go get out of these wet clothes,” I tell her. Instead of waiting for her to reply, I rush into her bathroom, quickly stripping out of my clothes. When I realise I have nothing to change back into, I curse.

There’s a knock at the door and I still, hoping it’s not Drake. I still can’t believe I kissed him, or he kissed me.

“Pagan, I have some pyjamas here for you,” Alison calls out quietly.

I breathe out, kicking myself for being so stupid. Opening the door, I take the pyjamas from her, giving her a small smile. “Thank you.”

“It’s all right. Now hurry up.”

I change quickly, towel drying my hair once I’m done before leaving the room.

“He’s left. I heard him go into his room.”

I stare for a split second before rushing over, jumping into bed with her under the blanket. “I kissed him.”

“And by your reaction I take it he didn’t kiss you back?” she replies, though she doesn’t sound convinced.

“Oh he kissed me back.”

Boy did he kiss me back.

“I’m at a loss. Why are you in here and not bumping uglies with the hot guy? Totally better than Prince Harry if you ask me,” she teases.

“Because we work for his family. Because he lives five hours away from us. Because I don’t have a great track record when it comes to men. Take your pick, Alison. There’s a long list. The way he kissed me….” I look at her, feeling lost. “It was like being on a fast roller coaster that never ended. He’s already gotten under my skin. But this, tonight, the kiss… I’ve totally fucked up.”

“Babe,” she sighs, moving to her side to face me. “You can’t stay single forever. As much as I hate what Aaron did to you, he’s right about one thing. You were kids. That wasn’t your fault, not at all. And as for Rick….” She shakes her head, her eyes dropping sadly. “That wasn’t your fault either, babe. He was good at manipulating people, charming them. That doesn’t say anything about you or your choice in men. You can’t let their decisions dictate the rest of your life. Drake seems like a well-respected man, and according to Ada, he’s a gentleman. Always has been.”

Her words register, they do, but it doesn’t stop the doubt from worming its way through me. “It’s not just because of them. It’s me. He lives here, in London, and we work for his parents.”

She rolls her eyes. “You just kissed the bloke. He didn’t propose.”

I smack her arm lightly. “I know that, but I already feel like there’s something between us. There’s this connection, and my God, when he touches me….” I smile, remembering the kiss. “He’s amazing. I just don’t want it to go further and get my heart broken. We still have over two weeks here. A lot can happen. I get excited at the thought of seeing him and his family already. They’re amazing. I know I’m being dramatic, but with my track record, I’ll make a mess of everything.”

“I think that’s what scares you the most. It was just a kiss, babe. He’s not asking anything of you, and you’re not asking anything from him. You enjoy his company, and he clearly enjoys yours,” she says, waggling her eyebrows.

“Shut up,” I laugh.

“Pagan, you’ve slept with one person in your life. Having a little fun won’t hurt. Don’t overthink things, please. You deserve to be happy, but the more you stress over it, the worse you’ll feel.”

I groan, covering my eyes with my arm. “You’re right. God, I made a fool out of myself. I just ran off, not even explaining. He most likely thinks I’m a weirdo now. But you have to admit, kissing him was wrong, especially when I’m working for his parents. And this is their house.”

She giggles. “Look, as your assistant, I’m not gonna lie and say it was the best decision to kiss the client’s son. But as your friend, I will tell you to go for it. No one’s going to get hurt, and if I’m reading them right, I think his parents won’t mind. They seem like really down-to-earth people.”

Sighing, I uncover my eyes and look at her. “You’re right. I know you are. Argh, I’m such a drama queen. I’ll just find him tomorrow and apologise for running off like I did.”

“Good. Now, how was the kiss?”

Laughing, I look up to the ceiling, my smile wide and expression dreamy. “Out of this world. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”