Playing with Fire

Chapter 4

It takes my mind seconds before registering what was unfolding before me. The gears in my limbs start functioning again, as I scramble back from the window desperately trying to shut it before he beats me to it. His presence alone activates a red siren inside me that has a psychologically dangerous effect on me. I'm still figuring out whether it's my hormones or my instincts urging me to run and hide from him.

"Stalking someone are we?" he asks in his deep husky voice, his strong arms effortlessly supporting the window as I hopelessly attempt to shut it.

"No, I didn't know someone was going to come out of the bathroom half naked" I argue back hoping my voice would come out sounding confident which, Thank God, did.

I can feel his perceptible, burning gaze gauge its way into mine. I turn away, doing my best to ignore his biceps and abs that were practically screaming in my face. I pray it be dark enough for him not to see me blush. Seeing him up so close only ignited the teeny tiny crush I had on him.

No. What crush? You're suppose to keep your cool and act unaffected by him.

"Then what were you doing looking through my window?" 

"Is it my fault you don't cover the window with the curtain!? Curtains weren't invented for not-" I abruptly stop when I see a black furry dustball invading his bedroom.

"Oh my god is that..." I drift off subconsciously hiking my legs over the window sill and launching my self through his window into his bedroom unintentionally knocking down a dumbstruck Derek in the process. The furry dustball bumps its head against my ankle and nuzzles its wet nose in my palm before rolling over, tongue sticking out panting probably expecting a belly rub. I was so absorbed with in playing with him I failed to notice Derek had already slipped on some clothes and was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, observing me with a very unimpressed and bored look.

"What's his name?" I avidly ask.

"It doesn't have one " his deep serene voice smoothly replies.

"What about Buddy?"

"Charlie"

"Teddy"

"Buster"

"Bear"

His frigid stony eyes were more than enough to convey his disapproval.

"How old is he?"

"I don't know"

"How can you not-" I break off in realisation and stare at him in horror. 

"OH MY GOD YOU STOLE HIM DIDN'T YOU OH MY GOD I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REPORT YOU FOR THEFT AND PROBABLY ANIMAL ABUSE" 

He looks at me with confused and skeptical look before huffing out a laugh. 

"Do I look like a bad guy to you" he sneers.

"YES!" I answer without hesitation holding the fluff ball closely to my chest to protect it from him. 

He raises an eyebrow at me but says nothing else.

"Where did you get it from then?" I asks, eyeing him suspiciously.

"I found him alone at the park last Friday late at night" 

"What were you doing late at night?"

He ignores me and gently carries the puppy out of my lap brushing my hands along the way. The fact that his hands felt so soft despite looking so tough on the outside surprised me.

"If you're done intruding my room I'd appreciate it if you get the fuck out now" he coldly snaps. Geez, and here I thought he wasn't that sour.