The Neighbor

Chapter 5

Arden's POV

I watched as Elodie backed out of the driveway. As soon as her car was out of sight I walked across the street to my house and dug around in the bushes till I found my house key. The movers had gotten the basics done, I just needed to unpack my clothes, dishes, shoes, and the rest of my shit. 

I looked around and took a deep breath. This was going to be work. First I needed to shower. I grabbed the opened box labeled clothes and headed down the hallway into my bedroom. At least I didn't have to assemble any beds or furniture, complements of the moving crew. I set the box on the bed and slid off the clothes that Elodie had lended me. I am sure they were Wyatt's but I didn't care. I walked into the bathroom turning on the water. The previous owners had done tons of renovations so I was able to get the house at a decent price given all the work that went into it. 

Once the water was hot I stepped into the shower and let it ping off my back. I always loved hot showers, they reminded me that I was alive. The hot water relaxed my tense muscles as it stung my skin. Maybe I liked the hot water so much because I knew I was going to hell, so it was practice for when I was burning down there. I knew damn well heaven was not where I would end up. Heaven was meant for people like her. I unwrapped the bandage from my hand and looked at my bruised knuckles. They were sore admittedly, but I meant what I said, I was going to protect her. No matter what I had to do. I grabbed my shampoo and began washing my hair. My mind was occupied by one thing, one thought, one person. 

Elodie Jones.

I needed to know her. Every inch of her. Her life story. Those who've hurt her so I can make them pay. I was willing to risk everything for her and I've only just met her. This feeling was all consuming.

...........

Elodie's POV

I pulled into Arden's driveway and turned my car off. I had gotten bagels and some coffee. I got the bags out from the passenger side and headed towards his door. I knocked and there was no answer.

"Arden?"

I knocked again. Nothing. 

"Hey Arden?"

I knocked a third time and the door popped open. I slowly opened it and stepped inside. 

"Arden? It's me, Elodie."

I closed the door with my foot and looked around. He had paintings all over the walls, a black leather sofa and a large tv mounted above a fireplace. A bookshelf on both sides of the fireplace was filled with tons of reading material. There were still boxes stacked up but it seemed as if the moving team had gotten a lot done for him. I slid my sandals off and set the food on the kitchen countertop. He had painted his living room a deep shade of burgundy. I didn't realize he had an eye for interior design or the money for it. Some of the art he had displayed was worth thousands of dollars. I saw a long hallway and found myself walking down it. 

I knocked on a few doors but still no response. Was Arden not home? At the end of the hallway I saw a door wide open with lights on. I knocked on the door before peeking my head in.

"Arden?" 

Still no response. This must be his bedroom. He had a large king bed framed by four tall wooden posts and a headboard. A few boxes of clothes were stacked up. I saw another door that was cracked and a light on. Was he in there? 

I could see steam leaking out from the crack and found myself drawn towards it even more. I approached the door and stopped peaking through the crack. There was Arden. Naked. A black towel was the only thing covering his lower half. He stood in the mirror shaving his face and I was unable to look away. He had tattoos all down his back and on his arms as well. He was very toned, his forearm muscles prominent along with his biceps. His torso was lined with 3 abs on each side and a very strong abdominal v-line. I found myself tugging my lower lip between my teeth as my brain wandered off into its own dirty thoughts.