The next morning I woke up and my back was hurting really bad. I got up out of the chair stretching my body before walking over to Zane to check his breathing. He was stable and he looked peaceful while sleeping. I texted Riley, informing her of his condition so far and she told me it was time to give him the pain meds.
"Zane,” I called as I tapped him on the shoulder. He didn't move. "Zane, wake up." His eyes fluttered open and he looked at me confused. When he tried to sit up, he groaned in pain.
"f**k, that hurts,” he hissed. I helped him sit up carefully so his wound wouldn't reopen. “Where am I?" He asked as he took in his surroundings.
"At my house,” I answered. "I have pain meds for you but first you need to eat." I made some vegetable soup. Riley advises me to feed him something light and slowly work up his appetite. I put the spoon close to his mouth and without fighting me, he wrapped his perfect lips around the spoon. Once he had a little energy, he took the bowl and began to eat. "Here are your pain meds. I have to get dress,” I handed him the two white pills and a glass of water.
"How did I get here?" He confusingly looked around again. "And who patched me up?"
"I drove you and Riley, my best friend, patched you up. She's a nurse."
"Where is my truck?"
"In my garage,” I was giving him all of the answers he wanted. It felt like I was debriefing him.
We stared awkwardly at each other. His hair was messy but it made him look sexier.
"Arielle?" He uttered, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Yes?"
"Your phone is ringing." I didn't even realize it nor did I feel it vibrate. Looking at the screen, it was my dad. Great.
"Hi dad,” I picked up the phone with a false voice.
"Hi sweetheart. Are you able to come by for lunch?"
I couldn't leave Zane alone. He was shot less than twenty four hours ago.
"Is it lunch time already?" I asked. "I can't today dad, I have to pick my car up from the shop,” I lied. I hated lying to him.
"Oh okay sweetheart, that's okay. I didn’t know that your car was down. Why didn’t you call me?”
I looked at Zane. “Because, I had help. Za-Mr. Calloway was around to help me. As for the lunch, I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"Okay, I'll call you later. I want know your thoughts on Mr. Calloway." He wanted to know what I thought about Zane. If he only knew that I was looking at the man right now, he would have a fit.
"Okay we will talk about that later. I have to go now. Love you, bye."
"Okay, baby girl." Finally the called ended and I turned and headed towards my room when Zane's voice boomed in my ears.
"Why did you lie to your dad?"
I paused, “He didn't need to know what happened last night. Why do you care?"
"I don't. But it would be hard to trust you if you could lie that easily." Was he serious?
"And you're judging me based off of a conversation with my dad? I was busy saving you last night. Let's not forget that! You could be a little more grateful." I was fuming on the inside. How dare he? "If you would excuse me, I'm going to shower and get dressed for the day." I left the room heading towards my bedroom where my bathroom was. I removed my clothes and climbed in letting the water take away the anger. I don't know why or how he can easily get under my skin.
After I got out, I slipped on jeans and a black graphic t-shirt with my black sandals. I took a look at myself and was satisfied with my look for today. I grabbed my purse and headed towards my front door. Instantly, I was stopped in my tracks as Zane stood in nothing but his boxers. He glanced around as if he was looking for his clothes. I took the opportunity to look at his body. He was perfect. Every muscle was ripped. He was indeed tall standing over six feet. My eyes roamed to his bulge and I caught myself staring a little too long. I just needed to get laid. Maybe find someone in a bar, online- nah, that’s too dangerous. Once my eyes made it his, my face reddened knowing that he caught me staring at him, again. I was stuck, embarrassed that he saw me. I tried to speak but I couldn't.
"Like what you see?" He asked with a smug look. I shrug my shoulders, brushing him off.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I prayed he didn't call my bluff.
"Keep telling yourself that. What happened to my clothes?"
"I took them off and washed them. They were put into the dryer a while ago and should be ready." I answered as I headed towards the door. He walked towards me blocking my way out of the house.
"And where are you going?" His scent instantly surrounds me, leaving me speechless.
"Ari?" He called. "Tell me where you're going."
Why does it matter? He said he didn't care yet he's asking me about my whereabouts. It was starting to really annoy me.
"I'm not on the clock and last time I checked, this is my house and I can come and go as I please." I retorted. His expression was rigid and hard.
"I'm really getting tired of your smart-ass remarks. I was just shot by one of the most wanted criminals in this city trying to save you. I'm not asking you to be nosy, I'm asking for your safety."
"I don't need your safety, Zane! I'm sorry that you were shot, but you weren't suppose to be there. It was my mission to catch him and you interfered with that."
All I wanted was to pick up my car. Yes, it's dangerous but, Benjamin didn't see my face and who’s to say he’s even home. He knew was wanted and that would be the first place anyone will search. Zane stood there silent. His arms were folded, determined to not let me out the front door. It wasn't that I couldn't get out, the problem was that my keys were right behind him. He smirked knowing that I wasn't going to get pass him.
"Asshole,” I muttered as I turned to walk away. He grabbed my arm and it sent this electrical spark throughout my body. I stopped and waited for him to say something, but he didn't. At least not at that moment. My heart was hammering in my chest, but I couldn't let him see how much he affects me.
"Do you like being in trouble, Ari?" He growled low in my ear. "You may not be on the clock but I am still your boss. I told you before that there will be consequences for that little attitude of yours." He was now rubbing his thumb on top of my hand. He had me in trance and he knew it. "This is my last warning. Next time, I'll just show you." With that, he releases my hand. I took a deep breath and walked towards my bedroom. I was sexually frustrated and him standing there shirtless, only added to it. How did he always have the upper hand? Why did his touch consume me like that? What was it about Zane Calloway that made my knees go weak? He was a pain in the ass with his demanding ways and his stupid consequences. I sat on the bed and just let my mind ramble. I figured I'll wait until the opportunity arise and then go. I mean eventually he'll go back to sleep. Right?
Later on, I jumped out of bed, not even realizing when I fell asleep. I checked my phone for the time and saw it after six in the evening. Did I really sleep for six hours? I had a few missed calls and texts from Riley, my dad, and Robert.
I opened up Riley's message first and she just told me to call her when I get the chance. Next, was my dad's text stating that he wants to know my thoughts on Zane. Finally, I hesitantly opened Robert's message.
Cheater: We need to talk.
I texted him back.
Me: I have nothing to say to you.
Cheater: Ari, please?
Me: What do you want to talk about? About the fact you cheated on me? Three times! I don't want to hear you weak ass apologies. They mean nothing to me. You mean nothing to me. Please don't text my phone no more.
I shut off my phone and stood up to check on Zane. When I went to the living room, I noticed he was sitting there with a whole different outfit than the ones he had on last night.
"When did you change your clothes?" I asked him.
Damn he looked good in casual clothes. "I had my friend Jacob and my doctor stop by my place to pick some up for me. By the way, tell Riley she did an amazing job fixing me up." I looked and noticed his dressing was changed.
He patted the sofa, When you’re done staring, you can join me on the couch or you can keep standing there." Hesitantly, I walked to my recliner and sat there. I was afraid that if I sit that close to him, I wouldn't be to control my actions.
The room was filled with silence with Zane occasionally laughing from the movie he was watching. He snuck a few glances my way unaware that I saw him. After the movie was over, he slowly stood and walked over to me. "Come with me. I have something to show you,” he offered his hand and waited for me to grab it. Sure enough, curiosity got the best of me as I placed my hand in his. There was that spark again. I knew he felt it too. It's impossible not to feel something that shocking, magnetic. He led me to my back door that goes to my garage. May be he was taking me to get my car. I thought to myself. But to my surprise, it was already here.