Beauty

Chapter 5

He now kept his eyes trained on the floor but, for a moment, Callie had seen them. His big brown doe eyes had shot a spark of energy through her and she was now staring at him in the tingly afterglow. She was surprised to find that the unfriendly stranger had turned out to be a stunningly gorgeous man. Even now, she stood just admiring his features, but it was those eyes that really got to her and she spent a moment just hoping that he would look up again. But he kept his eyes down.

   She looked at the phone in her hands and realized she had no one to call. "I... um... is there a garage around here?" she asked.

   "What?" Her heart skipped a beat as the stranger looked up again.

   "Well... um... a tow truck place or something? I don't know anything around here..." she trailed off not knowing what he expected her to say.

   He took a step forward and looked at her inquisitively. "Do you not have a friend or family member you can call?" He had a look of disbelief planted on his face. 

   "Um... no. I'm new here." She said wondering how he might react to her statement. 

   His voice grew cold again. "I hate to tell you this, but it's a 3 day weekend... 4th of July. Any place that would come all the way out here is closed until Monday."

   "Ugh... the 4th..." She felt like an idiot for forgetting and she had certainly detected his annoyance with her. "Well... is there anyone who could drive me..."

   "My staff is off for the holiday and I make it a point to not go out." He cut her off. "Even if I did go out, I probably know my way around about as well as you do." He stiffened.

   Callie backed up and found her way to a seat. Without waiting to be asked, she rudely sat down trying not to panic. "Well... I... uh... I d-don't know..." she stammered as she tried to think... and stay calm.

   "So, is this part of your plan?" He said with bitter amusement.

   "What?" She looked at him puzzled.

   "Your story... What will your angle be, I wonder?" He stared daggers at her. She couldn't help but notice how sexy he looked when he was angry even though she knew he was probably killing her in his mind. But for what, she hadn't a clue. 

   "So, maybe I'll invite you to stay tonight and you think I'll sleep with you... Even if I don't, you can lie about it and write about my womanizing over sexed ways... Or maybe I raped you... Hell, maybe you'll write about how I resisted the temptation of a beautiful woman, so that will be proof that Wacko Jacko is gay...huh?"

   'Wacko Jacko? What the...? This man is insane.' She was ready to fight, to defend her honor. But all she managed to let go of was, "What?" She felt hurt. She felt like a chastised child and she hadn't done anything but ask for help. "I don't know what you're talking about," she added.

   "Don't lie to me...I'm not stupid... You pap's are all the same." He was pacing now ranting off incomplete thoughts. 

   Callie could feel herself growing hot with anger and embarrassment. She kept as calm as she could. "You know what?? Just forget it, I'll sleep in my car... I... Thanks for your help." She said it as sincerely as she could manage then she turned and headed for the door. 

   He stopped and scoffed at her. "You're going to sleep in your car for 3 days?" 

   "Don't be ridiculous," she said, Still heading towards the door. "I'll sleep in my car tonight and walk... somewhere... tomorrow." She was on the verge of tears from the stranger's rudeness but she was not about to let him see her cry. "For all I know, my car was overheated and maybe it's good now." She opened the door to leave. "Best of luck to you."

   "Wait." He mumbled. She stopped at the door, but didn't turn around. "I can't let you sleep in your car... If anything happened..." He sighed. "You're welcome to stay here if you would like."

   Callie crossed her arms, in no mood to play nice. "I don't want to impose," she started.

   "It's not an imposition." He cut her off. "I have plenty of space. I would like for you to stay." His voice had softened but in place of sincerity he sounded defeated. 

   She kept her arms crossed and turned to him. "I'll stay, but only for the night."

   "Stay as long as you wish." He opened his arms. "What's mine is yours."

   Callie couldn't help but think that this man had some serious issues. However, he didn't seem dangerous and she really didn't want to walk all the way back to her car in the dark. So when he motioned for her to follow him she did.

   He led her up a flight of stairs and down a hallway. "What's your name?" She asked. 

   He let out a disgusted chuckle. "Please."

   "No, seriously." She tried to sound kind. "I need something to call you and, unless you want me to call you Wacko Jacko-"

   "No." He urgently cut her off and stopped walking as he half turned to face her.

   She kept eye contact and though her legs felt like jell-o she kept up her courage. "Then I need a name." she said in a calm but demanding manner. 

   "Michael." He answered curtly and then turned to face forward and continued walking down the hall until he came to a door. He opened it and led her in. 

   "I will see if I can find some clothes for you." He said.

   "Do you usually keep women's clothing on hand?" she asked mockingly. 

   "My ex-wife's." He said in an uncaring tone but she could tell it had hurt him.

   "Oh, sorry." She said, embarrassed.

   He ignored her and continued. "As I said, what's mine is yours. You are welcome to anything within the house or on the grounds but I ask that you stay away from the downstairs bedroom."

   "Why-" she started.

   "I like my privacy." He cut her off. "I'll go get your clothes." And he left without another word.