Drained

Chapter Three

          "James, what was that?"

          I looked up at his face, but he would not meet my eyes.  I took that as him not wanting to talk, and I did not want to push him like that.  I decided to just back off.

          Looking down at my feet, I mumbled, "I think I should head back home.  Thank you for helping me last night.  If there is anything I can do to repay you, I'm usually at the library on campus."

          As I turned to walk to the front door, I felt a cool hand on my arm.  I turned to see James's eyes return back to their normal blue.

          "I'll drive you back, but please, eat first," he said in a calm and almost therapeutic voice.  His face was soft, and he seemed to almost look through me.  It was as if the last five minutes hadn't happened.  I nodded slowly unable to argue with those eyes of his.

          He released my arm and walked past me to the kitchen.  I decided against trying to help again and sat at the bar to watch James work.  His moves were thoughtful but looked like second nature to him.  He obviously knew his way around the kitchen.  He worked quickly, and in just a few minutes I was served an omelette with toast and orange juice.

          I dug into my food suddenly feeling as if I hadn't eaten in days.  I was half way finished before I realized that James was just watching me.  I immediately sat up straight, embarrassed at my behavior.

          "I apologize, I , uh - " I tried to explain myself, but he just put this crooked smile on his face, and I suddenly found myself at a loss for words.

          "Please, don't be sorry.  I'm just glad that you are feeling alright.  I was worried."  He looked down at his hands folded on the counter.

          I finished my food, and James offered to drive me back to school.  I accepted his offer as I had no idea where we were and had no money for a cab.

          "Stay here.  I'll get your things," James disappeared down the hallway I had come through this morning and returned holding my jacket and shoes.  He handed them to me, and I mumbled a thank you.  He led me out to his garage, which of course was huge just like the rest of the house.  My mouth fell open as I saw the multitude of cars parked here.  His garage was any guy's dream, and I couldn't help but wonder what James did for a living.

          James led me to a beautiful black BMW and opened the passenger door for me.  I climbed inside, and he smoothly close the door after me.  The drive was mostly quite besides some classical sounding music playing low through the car's speakers.  It took about fifteen minutes to reach campus, and I couldn't think of a single thing to say the whole way there.

          When we finally reached the school, James parked the car, got out, and came to open my door for me.  

          "Thank you for the ride. And, for last night of course.  I will never be able to pay you back for what you did."  I stared into James's eyes while I spoke, and he smiled down at me.  He turned and offered me his arm, and I just looked back at him in confusion.

          "I'm walking you back to your dorm," he stated as though it were obvious.  "After all of this, I'm going to be sure you are back in your room safe and sound."  His smile was so inviting, and his voice drew me to him like a magnet.  I wrapped my arm around his and led him to my building.

          When we reached my residence hall, I turned to James and smiled.  "Well, this is it.  Will I see you around?"  I didn't want to sound desperate, but for some reason the thought of not seeing him again made me anxious.  Just this short time with him made me feel so comfortable and safe.  And despite certain strange behaviors, he seemed like a great guy and a perfect gentleman.

          He flashed that crooked smile at me again, and my knees nearly collapsed.  Why did he have such an effect on me?

          "I'm sure you will see me again, Lindsey.  Goodbye, and stay safe."  James brought my left hand up to his mouth and ever so slightly touched his lips to the back of it.  I felt my face get hot, and I'm sure my face was an embarrassing shade of crimson.

          Before I had processed what was going on, James had spun around on his heel and headed out of the building.  In a daze, I walked up the stairs to my dormitory on the third floor.  As soon as I stepped inside, my roommate, Sydney, poked her head out from the bathroom.

          "Lindsey! You're back! Where were you?"  She rushed over to me and wrapped me in a tight hug.

          "I'm sorry I worried you.  I was just studying late at a friend's house and just stay over there for the night."  I decided it would be best to keep the events of last night to myself.  I didn't want to tell her I had been attacked or explain that I had actually stayed at some gorgeous millionaire's mansion for the night.

          Until I could figure out how I felt about the whole thing, I would just keep it to myself.