Sinner

You're a Jerk

Chapter 3

“You’re a Jerk”

Nicolai fluttered his eyes open, rubbing the sleep out of them with the back of his hand. He peeked through one chocolate brown eye, taking in the small, simple motel room. Drake muttered in his sleep beside him, flinging his arm out and over the bed. 

Nicolai propped his head into the palm of his hand, gazing over at the twin bed parallel to his, taking in the hot mess tucked into the white, linen sheets. Her raven black hair swirled around her small, pale face, painting her pillow black. Her small, delicate frame suddenly turned over and Nicolai felt the abrupt instinct to hide as her wide, hazel blue eyes fluttered open. Before he knew it, his head had sunk into his pillow, eyes loosely shut.

As the bed creaked, he gradually peeked one open. The girl, with her back faced to him, headed for the door. With her hand hovering over the handle, she cast a hesitant look back, at which Nicolai snapped his eye shut, before he heard the handle click.

The thought struck him a few minutes into staring at the closed door. She’d left, which meant she refused the offer. 

“Can’t blame her.”

In the silence that followed the thought involuntarily blared before his mind’s eye. Where was she going? They’d travelled the highway for hours before he stopped in this little town because his motorcycle was running out of fuel. Nicolai yanked his cell phone off the side dresser, checking to see if Corbin had called.

The notification bar at the top was blank.

He looked around the small, motel room. His eyes wandering back toward the front door.

Where could she possibly go? He thought to himself, slipping out of bed.

Approaching the door, he came to realize that she’d left it slightly ajar. Nicolai parted it further, to catch the prostitute just outside. She had her back facing him again. 

His mind void of any real thought, Nicolai sauntered out the door and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his bare chest. He checked her over as she blew out a puff of smoke.

Her hair tumbled down her back in a waterfall of black curls. Pointed, ski-slope nose held high as she brought the lit cigarette to her, full, parted lips. Her eyelashes were smeared in black, and it smudged to create a strange, smoky sort of effect around her glazed over, hazel blue eyes.

His chocolate brown orbs inadvertently traced lower, scoping over her body when he heard her sharp gasp. Caught off guard, Nicolai looked up, curiosity etching his features as they locked eyes.

Her wide eyes suddenly sharpened as she slowly chewed on her lip.

“Has Corbin called yet?” She asked, breaking into the silence that filled the warm air.

He slowly shook his head no, jet black hair shaking about as his intense, brown eyes peered at her.

Nicolai caught the uncomfortable twinge in her eyes, and inadvertently watched her as she flicked her cigarette off over the railing, turned around and headed for the door.

Placing the palm of her hand against the smooth, wooden surface, she abruptly snapped her head back.

“How long are we staying here?”

“We?” Nicolai asked incredulously, his eyes narrowing.

“Yeah” Adriana chewed on her lip for a moment, casting him half a smile, “If I’m gonna be Drake’s nanny, I’ll need a change of clothes.”