Look After Me

Chapter 3: Ice, Ice, Baby

His hands were strong and soft. Softer than any hands of a male I had ever felt, slowly running the length of my curves. His breath was needy on my lips and I tilted my head back as he trailed kisses down my neck.

“I want you, Hanna.” His voice was raspy

He trailed his fingers softly up the inside of my thigh, sending chills down my spine, making me shiver. I pulled at his jeans.

“I can’t wait any longer.” I plead with him

He looked into my eyes, sudden fear shown on his face. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but coughed instead, crimson speckling my bare chest and coating his lips.

“Garret!” I shrieked, the sound of sirens filling my ears

He looked down, grabbing at his chest, blood spreading across the white shirt he was wearing.

“Garret!”

I shot up in bed, gasping, hot air filling my lungs.

My phone was ringing on the nightstand, screen casting a blue glow on the wall.

“Hullo?” I was still breathing hard

“Hello darling.”

“Mom? What’s going on? Is everything alright?” I threw off the heavy blankets and stood up, phone cord pulling me down to a crouch. Garret stirred.

“Yes, of course, why wouldn’t it be?” she sounded mechanical as always, and didn’t wait for an answer, “Your father and I won’t be in town, well.. country for a while and I need you to look after the business while we’re away.”

“What? No, I’ve never,”

She cut me off “I left some files on the counter, call Charlie on Monday.”

“I don’t even,”

“I left a key to the house in your mailbox.” She interrupted again.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, trying to process everything. It was pitch dark outside. The ocean was roaring somewhere off in the distance.

“Don’t worry, Hanna. I just need some time.” She said after a long silence. She sniffed.

She never cried, I didn’t know if she could.

I told her I loved her and to kiss Daddy for me, She said okay, but didn’t say it back. It had been hard to get her to show any affection towards us as children.

I hung up the phone, a tight feeling slipping into my gut. I glanced at the time, 3:16 in the morning. I rolled my eyes. That woman had absolutely no consideration for people in different time zones.

I groaned, standing up, realizing for the first time that I was soaked to the core in sweat. I began taking off my pajamas.

We had decided to reap havoc on my room that night. I stepped over the carcasses of junk food and girly beverages and paperwork. Everything my parents should have done when Noah died had been left to me.

His car had been sold last week, and I had transferred his money into one of my private accounts, by my parents’ wishes. Everything that needed to be paid for, had been taken care of thanks to Charlie, my father’s right hand man, who doubled as his accountant and attorney.

Noah had no debts, no credit cards, had no business with anyone. He made it easy in the fact that after one month, the only thing left of him had been boxes in storage. Garret and I had been filing to get his name off the property, which required a death certificate.

A week after Noah died, Charlie had brought me twenty copies in a manila envelope to send to the Insurance agencies, state, the bank and other various places. He had offered to handle it but I insisted. I thought that somehow, closing his account, and collecting claims was something that would help me accept my brother’s death. I was wrong and attempted to lock myself in the bathroom upon his leaving, wretching in attempt to empty my stomach. The rest of the day was spent mourning all over again and Garret force feeding me chicken from an old family recipe.

I slipped out of my bra and bent down, touching the paper with the tips of my fingers. 12:22 a.m.. My best friend had died exactly 22 minutes after midnight on the best night of my life.

The wind blew through the windows, moving the long white curtains and making the papers on the floor flutter. I cleared my head, my hot skin begging for a cold shower, my get away in the last month.

I tip toed to the bathroom, turning on the single bulb above the shower, and ran the water, cringing at the sudden break in silence. I got in. The immediate feeling of content filled my mind, forcing a genuine smile on my face.

“Why are you up?”

His voice was soft, but I still jumped.

My voice was ragged, along with my breathing as I clutched my chest “When did you wake up?”

“Are you kidding me?” I could hear the smile on his lips “could anyone sleep while there’s water going through 100 year old pipes?”

I giggled, letting water rush over my face. “Mom called.”

“Oh?” I heard a rustle of clothes outside, my heart started to pound.

“They left the country… the want me to take over business while they’re gone.” I heard the uncertainty in my own voice and frowned.

“May I join you?” he said quietly.

I paused, heart skipping a beat, “Yes, you may.” My voice equally as quiet.

My heart was racing in my chest as he pulled back the curtains. I hadn’t seen him naked since that night on the beach. My dream flashed in my mind, making me blush, it wasn’t the first dream I had had of him this week. He turned to me, looking into my eyes. He took a step forward and leaned towards me, pushing me to the shower wall, cold tile against my skin. He smirked and adjusted the water to hot, immediately steaming up the room, in more ways than one.

“Why can’t Charlie run it?” he closed his eyes, putting his head under the water, I gulped, eyes wandering.

“Huh?” his eyes opened, bringing me back, “oh, uh, I don’t know, she didn’t say.” I quickly looked at his face, either he hadn’t noticed me observing his nakeness or he was hiding it well.

He nodded, grabbing a shampoo bottle.

I cautiously finished my shower, mind definitely not as clear as I wanted it, and got out before he had finished. I didn’t know how he was able to be so close to me and not even feel the need to kiss me. I hadn’t felt his lips on mine in over a month. He seemed so cool, like he had it all figured out and I was stuck behind, wondering if we were ever a “thing” in the first place.

I walked to my closet, switching the light on. I wanted something light, the night was sweltering. My eyes stopped on a two piece sheer lingerie set that a crazy aunt had shipped over from France, a year back for my birthday. I grabbed it, secretly hoping it would catch Garret’s attention.

I slipped on the babydoll style top and matching thong. I turned off the light and hurried to the bed as the shower stopped running.

A few minutes later, I heard him shutting the four large windows, the air becoming still. The bed gave slightly under his weight and I opened my eyes, but he was facing away from me.

“We need to mail those papers in the morning. Don’t let me forget.” He sighed quietly, hoping I wouldn’t hear and wrapped the blanket up tight around his neck.

Just then, the air came on, blowing fridged cold on my exposed skin. My spirits dropped to my toes, along with my hopes and I slowly turned away, tucking myself under the fluffy comforter. The air quickly became colder and colder and Noah crept into my head. My nose became completely blocked before any tears actually fell, but when they did, they kept silently coming until I had fallen asleep. 

AN: Short chapter but things got momentarily steamy! Let me know what you guys think!