Elena carefully hung her clothes on the hook outside the lavish shower room, the soft fabric swaying gently in the air as she released them. With a sense of anticipation, she stepped inside the shower, her fingers deftly turning the faucets to the desired temperature. The sound of rushing water filled the air, a soothing symphony that enveloped her senses.
As the first droplets of water made contact with her skin, a shiver ran down her spine. The warmth quickly spread, cocooning her body in a comforting embrace. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips as the tension that had been coiled within her muscles began to unravel, melting away like ice under the sun.
Elena tilted her head back, allowing the cascading water to wash over her, the gentle pressure massaging her scalp and soothing her senses. Closing her eyes, she let her mind drift, the worries and uncertainties of the day slowly fading into the background.
With deliberate care, she reached for a bottle of shower gel, its delicate fragrance filling the air as she lathered it between her palms. She began to massage the soap into her skin, her fingers tracing the contours of her body with a newfound tenderness. Each touch was a reminder of the self-care she deserved, a gesture of kindness to herself in a world that often demanded so much.
Elena’s mind wandered as the water continued to cascade over her. She thought of the events that had led her to this point, the unexpected encounter with Oliver, the grandeur of his home, and the growing connection between them. Her thoughts were a tapestry of emotions, woven together by the threads of uncertainty and curiosity.
she dried herself with a towel provided by Oliver and changed into comfortable sweatpants and a shirt. The attire fit her perfectly, an observation she couldn’t help but note. Emerging from the washroom, she found Oliver seated on his bed with his laptop, engrossed in files.
“Ready? Did the clothes fit you?” he inquired, his gaze appraising her.
“Yes, they fit perfectly. But how did you know my size?” She quirked an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice.
“I have my ways,” he responded, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. Accepting his outstretched hand, she moved gracefully to his side. His amused expression only deepened.
“What?” she questioned.
“Nothing.” Without warning, he scooped her up in his arms, bridal style. She made a half-hearted attempt to protest but found his hold unyielding. Resigned, she nestled into his strong chest, experiencing an unexpected sense of security, much like she did with her brother.
“I have perfectly functional legs, you know. I can walk.”
He chuckled. “Of course, but I rather like this arrangement.” Carrying her toward the garden, he gently placed her on a chair beside the pool. Sunlight kissed her skin, and warmth enveloped her.
As Oliver settled next to her, her attention was drawn back to him. He sat on a reclining bed, facing her. “Let’s play 21 Questions, shall we?” he proposed.
“Why?” she queried.
“Because I want to get to know you, and I’m sure you’d like to know more about me too,” he replied, a faint furrow in his brow.
“Alright, but I’ve never played before,” she admitted.
“Really?” he raised an eyebrow.
“Yep.”
He explained the rules, and she agreed to play along. Their exchange of questions began, revealing snippets of their personalities and preferences. With each question, the atmosphere between them grew lighter and more comfortable.
Suddenly, a drop of rain interrupted their game. Looking up, she noticed the sky’s transformation from blue to grey-black.
And then the rain came pouring down.
In an instant, Oliver scooped her up and sprinted back to the house. They were drenched by the time they reached the shelter. Oliver’s concern for her safety was apparent, even though it was just rain.
“Let’s get you into the shower,” he suggested, lifting her once again.
“W-w-what about you?” she managed to ask through chattering teeth.
“I’ll take a shower in one of the guest bedrooms. Come on.”
Back in his room, he handed her a towel and disappeared into his closet. Emerging moments later, he had a sweatshirt and jogging pants in hand.
“You can leave your wet clothes outside the bathroom; a maid will collect them for cleaning,” he instructed before leaving her to shower.
Inside the bathroom, she turned on the shower, letting the warm water wash away the chill. After a quick shower, she emerged smelling like Oliver, having used his shampoo and body wash.
Entering the living room, she watched as Oliver and his friends horsed around, a carefree atmosphere enveloping them. She settled down beside Oliver, but he pulled her onto his lap. A low growl indicated his displeasure when she opted to sit next to him instead.
Amused, she scooted closer to another guy, Michael, whose arm she felt around her. A noticeable tension simmered between her and Oliver, adding a touch of excitement to the air.
“Movie?” Sky suggested, attempting to diffuse the situation.
Recee grabbed the remote and scrolled through movie options on Netflix. A title caught her eye, and a shared shout of excitement with Nick confirmed her choice.
“The Conjuring 2,” she exclaimed in unison with Nick. A feeling of camaraderie stirred between them.
“Looks like we have a winner,” Reece announced.
Before she knew it, Oliver had swept her out of Michael’s embrace and onto his lap. His possessive tone was hard to ignore, making her feel both uneasy and oddly protected.
As the movie played out, tension gave way to laughter and shared commentary. After the film’s conclusion, Oliver’s friends bid their farewells, leaving her alone with him.
Observing him for a moment, she took a bold step forward. “What?” he asked, his curiosity evident.
Without a word, she closed the gap between them and kissed him with fervour, channelling the newfound connection that had been building between them.