Chapter 5

Drew

With the door slamming shut, I look out at the frosty scene in front of me. Bella was right, the snow may not be falling, but it’s thicker now, with a higher chance of hidden black ice. Potential death awaits me, but as I look between the snow and my house, I know I’ve made the right decision.

“Breathe, Drew,” I whisper, rubbing my hands together because I already feel the frigid air penetrating my gloves. “She’s just a girl.”

Am I in The Shining because Bella is driving me insane? I’ve provided her shelter, made her breakfast, and helped carry her around the house, but do you think she appreciates it? No. As per usual, Bella is rude and obnoxious. I’ve been waiting on her hand and foot, yet you’d think she was allergic to the word ‘thank you.’ The girl hates me, and it’s not that I’m trying to get into her good books or anything, but I really expected less hassle from her than this.

But then her big blue eyes and raggedy hair cross my mind. Vulnerable and hurt but trying her best not to show it, my annoyance starts to fade, turning into an entirely different emotion.

Affection.

Because no matter how hard I try, I see her for the insecure girl she truly is. No one has ever taken the time to know her, which is partly her fault. She’s rude and prickly, but it’s because she wants to give people a reason to hate her. I know, deep down, there’s more to her than that. She’s passionate about her clothes, and I love her quirky style. She’s determined when she puts her mind to something, and she stands up for herself. She knows her worth, but doesn’t want anyone else to see it.

But I do.

Crushing my eyes shut in frustration, I let out a growl that I’m almost certain Bella will be able to hear, but I don’t care. Let her think that I’m frustrated over her lack of manners and not the fact that even though she treats me like a pile of stinking shit, I can’t get her off my mind.

It was easy not to think about her when she was in London. Every now and again when she’d pop into my mind, I could switch it off because she was so out of reach. But her attending St. Michael’s and being stuck with her every waking minute now, means it’s not working. Now, it feels like she’s attempting a hostile takeover of my sanity.

All because she unknowingly upped the ante.

And the ante was her pussy.

Even in her pretzel-like state, I could see every inch of her body because her legs were spread wide open.

Smooth, perfect, and glistening away.

Bella naked is perfection, better than I ever imagined – not that I imagine it too often these days. I’d rather eat razor blades than constantly taunt myself with images of a girl I know I can’t have.

I cringe just thinking about that moment. It was stupid of me to open the door without announcing my presence first. I was trying to be a gentleman, waiting close by, just in case she needed my help. I didn’t think I’d be called upon.

But when I heard a loud thud, my instincts took over, and I didn’t think about the consequences of opening that door. The only thought running through my mind was, what if she’d fallen over and knocked herself unconscious, only to drown in my bathtub?

So I opened the door and froze at the sight.

The whole scene was a mess. Water was spraying everywhere, shower curtain rings were scattered on the floor, and she was wrapped up in the shower curtain like it was a prom dress she got from Wish.

She was wrecked but beautiful, and her body looked incredible. And I wanted it badly. That’s why I had to throw a towel at her. I needed her covered up, so I’d stop looking.

When she came hobbling out, looking bashful and innocent, and wanting to talk about what I saw, I knew I needed to get out of there. Honestly, did she want me to write an essay on how awesome I thought her body was or something? How I’d almost memorized each freckle location because I have a photographic memory?

I couldn’t stay there with her looking at me so expectantly, so I walked straight out of the house with a few sarcastic barbs to make her think I was unaffected by her. I blow out a humorless breath because now I’m here, hoping the frigid air will get rid of the memory of her clouding my brain…and my boner.

Pulling my hat out of my pocket, I shove it on, listening to the whistle of the wind. It’s stronger than yesterday, creating a breeze so cold my lips and nose are already going numb. This might have been a mistake, but going back in now will raise more questions that I’m unwilling to answer.

Flashbacks of Bella haunt my mind. Her beautiful, naked body is driving me to the brink of insanity, and I’m helpless to stop it. I shouldn’t know what Bella Summers looks like naked. She’s not mine to touch. She’ll never be mine, but now that I know, will I ever be able to forget?

My feet sink into the snow with each step to the car. I don’t want to drive in this or walk for that matter, but what choice do I have?

Damn, it’s cold, and there’s a great game on.

Nothing would be better than sitting in my living room, watching said game with a beer in my hand, but that will have to wait. My coach’s smart-mouthed daughter is too busy languishing on my sofa and poisoning my thoughts for that to happen. Besides, she’ll want to talk about the shower incident and the idea of talking about what I saw seems lethal.

So potential death it is.