Out From the Shadows

Chapter 11

I'm awake, but refuse to open my eyes. Last night is a bit hazy, like alcohol was involved. Was it? I just can't remember. Rays of light streak across my face and I shrink away from them. I slept all night? My eyes flash open and I feel the soft silk of bedsheets under my finger tips.  I jump out of bed, a dizzy spell hitting me for a couple moments, then fling myself into the bathroom. 

In the mirror, my hair is wild and untamed, the clothes from yesterday are disheveled, and I even slept with my two necklaces on. I appear a mess, not to mention the grossness that clings to my skin. A bath would be excellent. I strip myself of my clothes and realize I'm missing something. Where are my under garments? I'll worry about it later, but right now, a bath sounds as appetizing as food. Bath first food next.

                                                                                       ******

The blistering water envelops my cool body. It numbs every sore spot from whatever happened last night and the heat makes everything shiny fog over. I submerge my head for reasons I can't think of. A memory comes back to me from last night, possibly.

Swimming in a pond...no, a clear reservoir. Oh my god! The place in the woods with the waterhole and greenery. I brought Ashton there last night and we swam for a while. I remember! That most definitely explains the lack of under clothing.

When my fingers and toes get all grooved and wrinkled, I decide to hop out from the tub. Stepping out into the air isn't too bad, the heat having warmed the air up. I search around for a towel, anything to dry off with, and spot a rack, but no towels.

"You have gotta be kidding me?!" I scream in a whispered voice.

"I wouldn't kid around when it comes to you being naked," a voice says from outside the bathroom. I hate the velvety tone he uses and it can only belong to one person.

The door knob squeaks as it begins its rotation and my heart beats an uneven rhythm.

"I swear, I really will, if you come in here I will beat the stuffing out of you!" I scream at him, being as intimidating as I can to shy him away from messing with me. It obviously was in vain because the door flies open and his head pops in. I scream. I think it was a delighted scream, maybe even a little bit playful too. He will never know that though.

I try to cover myself as much as possible with my arms and hands, but I curse myself for being so tall and lanky. He chuckles and if looks could kill, he would surely drop dead this instant. He takes no heed to my look thrown his way and I only just notice his eyes are scrunched closed.

"You bastard!" I chuck the nearest thing possible, a box full of papery stuff, at him and hit the bull's-eye, his face. His hand rubs the spot that it hit him and his eyes loosens its crinkliness. I think a catch his eyes slit open a small amount.

"Keep your eyes closed and get me a towel!" I gasp when a tiny cackle follows him as he leaves, and being who he is, he keeps the door wide open. I jump to the entrance and slam it closed. The tub gurgles as the last of the water zooms down the drain. My body is damp, but not dripping anymore, and I peek my head out the door to check for any lingering company. The bathroom air is starting to get chilly, the warm air flowing out and through the vents. I dart out into the even colder room and look frantically for something to cover myself with.

No robes, no blankets, nothing. Instead, I leap into bed under the covers and wait for my towel. It arrives soon after, along with Ashton, and I reach out with grabby hands for it. I receive a towel thrown in my face and a comment.

"If your cold, I can always warm you up. Just scoot over." He is completely serious. I'm baffled by the string of naughty comments coming from such a gentleman. Or at least I thought he was a gentleman.