The Neighbor

Chapter 3

Elodie's POV

I pulled into Arden's driveway and parked the SUV. His eyes were on me the entire car ride home.

"Let's get you inside."

"There is just one problem."

I turned looking at Arden as he felt in his pockets.

"My keys must've come off at the club."

I pressed my lips together, closing my eyes and sighed. 

"That's okay, you can crash at our place."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother I could get a hotel for the nig-"

I was not letting him stay in a hotel. Not in this state.

"No, I insist." 

I restarted Wyatt's car and backed out of Arden's driveway and into mine. I shifted the car into park and turned it off hoping out and walking around to the passenger door. I opened it and Arden slid his feet towards the floor and stumbled out of the car nearly knocking both of us down. I managed to grab onto his arm and hoist it around my neck. 

"Alright, just a few more steps." 

We made it to the door and then inside. I helped Arden to the couch where I laid him as I shut the door. I locked it, taking off my high heels. My feet were killing me. Arden's eyes were locked on my every move. 

"Let's get you upstairs, we have a guest room."

"Okay." 

I have now realized that I am very weak. Trying to carry someone who is twice your height and two times stronger than you is not an easy task. We struggled but eventually made it to the top of the stairs and into the spare bedroom. I sat Arden on the bed and sighed. 

"Elodie?"

I opened up a dresser drawer and looked for a pair of Wyatt's extra clothes. 

"Hm?"

I dug through the drawer and found a pair of gray sweatpants and a white cotton t shirt. They looked like they'd fit Arden. I shut the drawer and turned around bringing the clothes to the bed.

"I want you to know, I would do what I did tonight again in a heartbeat." 

I froze in place. What? 

"Arden you are clearly very drunk, let me grab you some water and aspirin"

I turned and felt Arden's hands on my wrist. His grasp was soft and tender. If I had wanted to I could've pulled away, but for some reason I didn't. I took a breath and turned back around. His blue eyes were following my every move.

"I mean it. If anybody ever tried to touch you like that, or made you uncomfortable, I would do it again. Even if I end up in jail. You are worth every second of it."

Arden's hand reached towards my face as he used his finger to tuck a loose piece of my hair behind my ear. His fingers were so soft and delicate against my face. I felt my heart beat quickening as his thumb traced from my ear down to my cheek, and lingered at my jaw. He was so delicate in his touch. 

"I would've never left you alone in a place like that to begin with. It shouldn't have happened." 

He was so serious. His eyes narrowed as he stared intently into mine. I felt myself unable to look away from him as we stared at each other.  I felt this knot growing in my stomach as Arden's hand dropped from my jaw.

"I think I'll take that aspirin and water now."

I nodded and turned walking into the guest bathroom. I opened up the mirror and looked for the aspirin. Once I found the bottle I pulled it out and shut the cabinet. I gasped jumping as Arden was now behind me. I froze in the mirror as he came up behind me and looked at me through the mirror. His chest was pressed up to my back. His fingertips started at the tip of my finger and moved ever so slowly and softly. He took his time as his eyes remained on mine, not breaking his gaze. When he reached my shoulder he moved my hair to the side. I felt goosebumps on every inch of my body as he stared at me in the mirror. Like a predator ready to eat his prey. His ocean blue eyes had turned darker, like the sky at night. Arden slid two fingers under the strap of my dress and slowly dragged his fingers down towards my chest and then back to my shoulder. My chest was rapidly rising and falling and I was unable to move.