The sun came through the blinds of the room falling on the face of the sleeping redhead. She groaned turning over making her head throb. She pulled the blankets over head realising her cats weren't there. Her eyes opened wide lifting herself to sit up.
The bedroom was covered in hand carved furniture with dark grey walls. She got out of bed seeing the dress she wore the night before. She undid her hair letting it fall from her shoulders. She looked around moving towards the door.
The sounds of snoring could be heard from the room next to her. She stepped into the living room looking at photos along the wall. She saw the images of Eric on luxurious vacations on beaches and mountain tops. A scratching at the door scared her, coming out her thoughts.
She slowly approached the door opening it slowly. A beautiful West Highland Terrier ran out of the room barking happily as it went straight for a water dish. She pressed her hand against her chest taking in slow breaths.
"She's a cute one ain't she?" She turned around seeing the man getting out of bed. Grey plaid sleep pants hung on his hips as his torso was exposed. She stared at his body noticing the toned figure and lining of hair along his chest on abdomen.
She couldn't help but stare for a moment, quickly turning her attention towards the pup. "She really is. What's her name?"
"Her name's Isla. She's only seven months old. I adopted her to keep me some company. Can't take her travelling yet. Still having accidents in the house." He grabbed a sleep shirt putting it on. It didn't help by outlining his form.
She let her eyes go along his body. She knew he was attractive but this was something different. He brought his attention back to her moving towards her. "You hungry?"
She nodded moving out of his way as he grabbed things for breakfast. She sat down at the table as Isla moved close to her sniffing her hand. She smiled petting her head gently.
Eric pulled out the skillet looking at them. The way her long crimson locks looking so vibrant on her milky skin. He moved his attention to her lips. The reminder of last night flashed through his mind.
She held the side of her head once more looking up at him. "My head still feels fuzzy to be honest. Do you have any medicine I could trouble you for?"
He nodded moving quickly to a small cabinet at the corner of the room. He opened it up pulling out three different bottles. "You aren't allergic to anything are you?" He placed the bottles in front of her letting her decide for herself.
"Nothing that I know of yet." She opened up the acetaminophen taking two of the tablets and swallowing them. She sealed it up handing them back. "Here you go. Thank you so much."
He nodded going back to cooking. "Anything in particular that you like to eat?" He grabbed some eggs and steak as well as some cheese and greens. She shook her head staring at the meat with cautious eyes. "I'll take you up on whatever it is that you decide to make, just no steak."
He turned his attention to the large slabs that he always ate. They were thick cuts, the way he liked. "You watching your figure somethin'? There's nothing wrong with a little bit of steak here or there."
She giggled shaking her head again. "It's nothing like that. I've just been slowly cutting meat like that out of my diet. I realized I feel a lot better when I don't eat something like that."
He shook his head cracking the eggs into the hot pan. He grabbed a spatula pointing over at the small container on top of the edge of the counter. "Would you be so kind as to give her two scoops of her food? She's not allowed to have more than that until night."
She nodded getting up from her seat as the small pup hurried to her side hearing the noise of the food shaking in the container she picked it up. She good looking down at her in view. "Are you hungry dear?"
The pup barked loudly staring at the container. She giggled feeding her as she stuck her face into the bowl after the first scoop. She gave her the rest going back to her seat.
He finished up handing her a plate of an omelette and bread. He placed a butter tray between them setting his own down with meat almost hanging off the side. He grabbed a container of whole beans grinding them. "Want any?"
She cooed tearing a bit of the bread away. "Coffee sound incredible. I would love some." She watches as he set up the French press going back to the table. "Just give it a bit of time is all."
He began to eat, observing her once more. She met his gaze thinking of everything wrong with her. From her loose hair to the same dress from the night before. She stopped her eating looking away from him. "I must be quite a sight. Is there any way I could get a fresh change of clothes?"
He stopped mid chew noticing the sudden timid voice. He nodded grabbed a small bag from the couch. "I had William grab something from your room and feed your cats. Sorry if they're missing something."
Her face grew dark red thinking of William searching through her suitcase. He chuckled seeing the colour of her face. "He said he grabbed what he thought looked nice and sent it over. It's nothing to be embarrassed about."
He got up serving them each a cup placing cream and sugar in between them. She quickly finished up her meal taking her time making her coffee. "Thank you again Eric. I'm so sorry for causing so much trouble."
"Don't say another word. You were in trouble and it was only right to make sure you were safe. What he did was unthinkable. I never knew him to be that kind of man."
She finished up her coffee washing the dishes. She grabbed her things heading for the guest bathroom. She took a breath looking into the bag.
She pulled out a pair of lace panties having her face turning a dark red. The thought of William touching her undergarments made her tremble slightly. She brought out a short, black dress that would fit her body tightly.
"It's like he wanted to see me in such a tight dress." She shook her head moving the clothes aside and she began to undress herself. She pulled out all of the bobby pins that were stuck in her hair putting them aside deciding on what to do with the rest of herself later.
The water was so nice on her muscles. She really was not used to having something in her system that would kick her around like that. Why would a man ever do that to a lady? So he could subdue her? So that he could have an excuse to have a woman in his bed?
She shook the thoughts out of her mind letting the hot water run through her long locks. She looked at the complimentary shampoo that he had placed for his guests taking a good smell of the scent. It smells like coconut giving her a pleasant smile.
She quickly finished up grabbed her bra and panties. She pouted seeing them not match completely. Her phone began to ring with the familiar tune of her mother's favourite aria. She sighed grabbing her phone making sure the door was locked.
"Hello?" She pulled the phone away from her ear hearing her mother almost shouting. "Grell, darling! You haven't called us in two days! Where have you been?"
She swallowed a groan slipping the dress onto her frame. "Sorry mummy. I've been busy with the move and everything to call. How's daddy?"
The older woman of matching red looked over at the silver haired man reading his book. "We're fine sweetie. Do you remember that young man from Liverpool? He's been asking about you."
She rolled her eyes combing out her hair. "I remember him. He just never caught my attention. He was so demanding and rude." She put the phone on speaker fixing up her hair into a simple braid. "Besides, I moved away to make my start and it's happening for me."
Her mother pouted looking at her husband for some assistance. He shook his head raising his hand, pointing at the phone. His voice was almost a whisper. "You said you'd allow her to find love on her own. That Spencer boy was too much a creep for My princess."
She covered the mic end of the phone glaring at him. "I'm trying to get her a date, not married! She hasn't talked about boys since you got her into those theatre classes. I just want my daughter to be taken care of."
He closed his book looking at his wife. "You got her into the theatre classes. I put her into Taekwondo. She's grown enough to know what she wants in her life. She can make her own decisions on daring."
"Is there any possibility that we can go see you dear?" She spoke to her daughter with her usual tone. "You know your father and I want to see you pet."
Grell paused thinking of were she was. What would her mother think knowing she was currently in state of hiding from a man wanting to take advantage of her? She smiled making the final touches of her hair. "I'd love for you two to come visit. However, I'm just staying at the hotel they gave until my flat's ready. Whenever I have it perfect, I want you both to visit."
She opened up the bag, frowning that William only got eyeshadow, liner and mascara. She heard her mother and father muffled voices applying her make-up. She stared at the freckles on her face. They were so much more obvious than she could remember.
Her mother cleared her throat getting back on the line. "But of course dear. Just let us know when you move in. I'll make sure to cook you a delicious dinner."
They said their goodbye and love you as always ending the call. She made her way back to the living room finding the little pup there, chewing on a toy.
Eric came out of his room wearing a sharp blue suit. He looked her up and down giving a smile." You look stunning as usual." He pauses noticing the freckles on her face and shoulders. "You're freckles are cute you know."
She tensed up wanting to cover up her body from sight. "Thank you..." she spoke quietly out of embarrassment. Her eyes wanting to water, holding back her emotions.
He moved closer grabbing a hold of her hands. He brought them to his lips kissing her knuckles. "I think you're beautiful with them. I mean it."
She moved a bit closer looking at him with her knees buckling. "Do you really think so? I hate them..."
He was caught off guard by her comment still holding her hands. "Why would you? I think they're cute. You shouldn't be so self conscious about them."
He cleared his throat letting go of her hands. "Do you want to go back to the hotel? I know Aleistor is a busy man, so he shouldn't be there right now."
She twirled her braid trying her best to look a lot more playful. "I do want to see my babies. I bet they're meowing so loudly in that room alone." She pouted looking at sad as she could.
He laughed motioning for the door. "Of course. I still don't feel completely comfortable leaving you alone. I want to see if maybe tonight Ronald or William will have you stay over at that places. I am unfortunately too busy today, as well as I'll be out tonight at a business function. I am so sorry my dear."
She shook her head waving it off as she grabbed her bag full of her things. "There's no need for apologies Eric. You're still a businessman and if anything, I should be the one apologizing for this whole ordeal. I'm sorry you had to play babysitter last night."
"I did no such thing. I did the right thing and take care of you. Why would you think that's babysitting?" He closed the door heading for the car. He stopped himself unlocking it. "I'll be right back. I forgot to let her out."
She giggled waiting by the car. She checked her phone seeing the messages from her mother still going on about available men for her. She groaned reading them all noticing the low battery. "Damn it."
"Damn what?" Eric unlocked the doors helping her into her seat. "What did I miss?"
She held up her phone shaking her head. "Oh, nothing. I guess I should've asked for a charger. My phone's at thirty percent." She stared at the screen seeing more messages coming through from her mother. "Plus my mother won't leave me alone about my personal life."
He laughed starting up the car, leaving his home. "I know that feeling. My old man wouldn't leave me alone for the longest time. He wanted me to marry by the time I was twenty-five like him."
"I know the feeling. My mother wanted me married by the time I ended secondary school. She was more pushy than I'd like to admit." She smiled leaning closer him. Her hand rested on his shoulder. "Thank you so much for taking care of me."
He smiled continuing to drive. "It's nothing at all. I think you should be able to relax a bit. I'm sorry to have you go out again away from your cats."
She shrugged giving a small frown. "It's just for the night. I'll be back with them as soon as I can." She looked out the window seeing the streets moving passed them.
The time passed with her relaxing in her room. Troy and Helen refused to move away from her. She finished packing a small bag of her things. The two cats purring softly as they watched.
"My sweet babies." She pet their heads kissing the top of their heads. A knock came at the door, a low mumbling could be heard from beyond the door.
William stood there hanging up his phone. He smiled at her placing it back in his pocket. "Evening Ms. Sutcliffe. I'm sorry to have to take you away."
She went back inside grabbing her bag. "It's fine. I understand the danger of having a man like that stay in the same hotel." She kissed her cats again closing the door behind her.
He opened the door to his home hearing the sounds of his talkative birds. She smiled seeing him cover the cage with a sheet. "This normally puts them to sleep." He ran back over taking her jacket. "I'm sorry about the clothing situation I left you with. You must've been insulted with my choices."
Her cheeks grew pink remembering her embarrassment. "Not really. I'm sorry you have to go through a lady's undergarments without asking." She noticed the tips of his ears growing dark.
"I do you hope you don't mind if I make us some dinner." She moves to his side shaking her head. "I feel like I should cook. After all you've done for me, it's the least I could do."
He sighed giving in. "Alright. Allow me to treat you to a glass of wine with that. I'll be right out." He smiled grabbing his coat. He left quickly allowing her to explore his home.
Everything was slick and modern. Black and white were the layouts of all the rooms. Digital devices throughout the rooms to make his life more simple. She walked into the kitchen seeing the main appliances being a bean grinder and a coffee pot.
She smiled seeing the small magnetic pads on the fridge doors. Shopping lists and things to do. She pulled things for dinner frowning at her slim choices. He seemed to be one for eating out or takeaway.
She gather vegetables peeling them and cubbing them. The door opened as he entered with a large bag. She raised her eyebrow staring at the bag. "That must be a lot of wine."
"It's not just wine. I do enjoy a good glass of scotch on my hours away from work. I'm just restocking my supplies." He placed the bag down pulling out three bottles of scotch and two of wine.
She giggled shaking her head with a sigh. "Seems to me someone's addicted to the drink." She turned her attention back to the food in front of her, making sure that the carrots and potatoes were fully cooked.
He left a bottle of scotch and the wine out. He placed them in his personal cooler moving to the kitchen. "I'll admit it's a bad habit. I also need to lower my smoking."
She turned to him with an eyebrow raised. "You smoke? Cigarettes or cigars? I could offer you a light." She hand brushed the briad to the other side of her neck, exposing it to him.
He held back a gasp clearing his throat. "Both. Cigars are more for special occasions in my book. Do you smoke Ms. Sutcliffe?" He stood beside her watching as she tossed the vegetables in butter and spices.
"I've tries my best to quit. It's a great stress release for me. I just want to better my health from any more damage." She placed the lid back on moving to the chicken breasts.
"I know the feeling. I've at least cut down from near addition to casual drags after work." He grabbed a set of glasses setting up the table.
The dinner went well having both bottles by the end if the meal by herself. Grell was feeling really good reaching for scotch. William grabbed the bottle away from her. "Mixing drinks isn't a good idea. "
She took the bottle pouring a small amount for herself. "It's not so bad. I feel this is something to relax to after all that's happened." She drank it slowing having her expression change with the taste.
He chuckled drinking his own glass. "It might be a taste one has to get used to." He got up having his own state slightly altered. She tried getting up clinging onto the table. He went to her side helping her stand up.
She held onto him with her face buried in his chest. This was the second night in a row she was against an attractive man. She looked up seeing the slight glimmer of lust. That's all it took.
She pushed herself up capturing his lips. He froze for a moment before kissing back. She moaned putting her hands around his neck. He groaned tugging at her bottom lip. She opened her mouth letting the intruding organ in.
His body felt electric with her touch. The twitching if his groin making it worse. Their tongues dance pressing their bodies together. He pulled back looking down at her. The smell of the alcohol bringing him back.
"We can't do this Grell. You're drunk and it'll be terrible on my part to allow this to happen." He licked his lips taking the alcohol and a sweetness from her. She frowned clinging onto him tighter. "You don't want me?"
His eyes widened hearing her words. "I find you very attractive Grell. I just don't want you to think-" She cut him off kissing him deeply. "You talk too much Mr. Spears. I think I can guess we both have the same need."
Her hand pressed against the front of his pants. The touch made William gasp wanting to grind against her hand. "Grell..." She took his hand moving him into the direction of bedrooms. His hand twitched knowing he couldn't hold back anymore.