Echo in Her Mind

Twenty-Two.

The next morning, which hadn't been more than a few hours later, Bethany was being shaken awake very forcefully. Over her shoulder, she glanced at Ruben, who appeared as if he had just got out of the shower. His hair was wet, but a simple towel was wrapped around his waist. His chiseled body exposed to her vision, did not leave much to the imagination.

"Put some clothes on!" Bethany advised him, hiding her head under pillow to avoid the sight in front of her.

"I am going to, but I wanted to make sure you were awake. If you want a shower, I suggest you get one now, Beth."

She peaked out from her pillow, making sure his towel was still covering him, and raced to the shower before Ruben tried any funny business. He lived for making her uncomfortable.

"Make it quick!" She heard Ruben yell as she closed the door behind her. And she did make it quick; she assumed they were running last this morning, and she knew they didn't have time to waste. So, she simply piled on a layer of shampoo and conditioner, and quickly washed her body down with one of the wash cloths hanging in the shower.

Bethany attempted to clear her head of last night's events, but even though this was her second shower afterwards, she still felt as if her skin was draped in the blood of the receptionist, even though it had already been washed away.

She was in and out of the shower within minutes, and instantly cursed to herself as she had forgotten to bring any clothes from her room into the shower with her. "Ruben?" She called out, but there was no answer.

Sighing, she wrapped a towel around her body, and peaked her head out into the hotel room. Ruben was nowhere in sight. In one quick motion, she sped out of the bathroom and headed for the door. However, as soon as she got there, the door handle began to turn and the door opened, leaving her face to face with Ruben.

Bethany was frozen in front of him, fully aware of his eyes wandering her body. Her mind was screaming at her to move, but she was trapped under Ruben's gaze. Her body got hot as she noticed Ruben slowly took a step towards her half-naked self. Her eyes widened in fear of what he was about to do. She was vulnerable and he knew that.

Suddenly, Bethany's body regained control, and she swiftly moved around Ruben and ran out into the hall and into the safety of her hotel room, locking the door behind her. She leaned back against the wall and slid to the bottom of it, placing herself on the floor.

Racking her brain, she tried to remember when Ruben established whatever hold he had over her. She had completely frozen on the spot from the way he stared at her. The more she thought about it, the more she realized it had always been that way with him.

Why was Ruben so drawn to her?

And why did her body like it?

It was a very weird and new concept to Bethany, but she was beginning to see Ruben in a whole new light with each new emotion she obtained. And that frightened her.

*****

Ruben continued to stand in the same place he had before Bethany went racing out of the room. He couldn't understand why his self-control was diminishing when it came to her. The last time he was in that predicament he was able to walk away, but this time it was as if his body was being pulled to her. His desire to touch her all over, and feel her lips against his once again was almost becoming unbearable.

Could it be because with every emotion she gained, she was slowly becoming the Bethany that he was meant to be with? He wasn't sure. But what he did know, was that each passing day, his self-control weakened, and he didn't know if he would be able to stop himself the next time around.