Chapter 10
TEN
FLORA
I glance around the bathroom, making sure I have everything. I decided this morning to move back to London to live with my aunt. I put my backpack on and head to the living room.
Dax and Lyka are standing in front of the TV with expressions of shock and disbelief across their faces.
They don’t register my presence as I walk in. “What?” I ask, curiously. Turning to the TV, I instantly understand their shock.
A news channel is broadcasting a breaking story:
“A new strain of the Coronavirus has been discovered with a much higher fatality rate. The President has put America on lockdown for three weeks. You must only leave for essentials.”
My backpack slides off my shoulder. “Oh my God,” I whisper to myself as I allow the information to sink in. Lyka and Dax turn to me.
“I thought the world was going to live with Covid now,” I utter, my voice tinged with disbelief. Just when it seemed like everything was going back to normal, this happens.
“What do you want to do, go home or stay here?” Dax asks in a supportive tone. It’s clear he wants me to be comfortable with whatever decision I make.
“For three weeks? Just the three of us?” I ask. But the idea of being alone with my dark thoughts for that long feels unsettling. I’ve been fighting hard to keep them at bay. The thought of returning home without my father being there and three weeks of being alone…
“We have everything we need. We don’t need to leave the cabin,” Dax reassures me.
I feel uneasy and take a deep breath. The idea of traveling now seems risky. “Covid killed my mother. I know what it can do to people. I guess I have to stay here,” I say, shrugging.
They both exchange glances. “We’ll make it work. Don’t worry,” Dax says.
“Yeah…” Lyka adds.
“One problem. I don’t have any spare clothes or underwear.” Being stuck here for three weeks without any clean clothes feels daunting.
“It’s fine. My mother had a whole wardrobe of clothes she didn’t wear. I think they will fit you.”
“Oh, Dax. I couldn’t.” The idea of wearing someone else’s clothes feels intrusive, especially considering she is dead.
“It’s fine. Some of it is brand new and still has the tags on.”
“Okay…well, what about underwear?” I ask, feeling uncomfortable.
Dax pauses. “I guess you could wash your bra often and wash your panties daily. Or…wear some of my underwear?” He looks up and gives me a smirk. Lyka chuckles under his breath and shuffles his feet .
Dax tries lighting the mood and raises both of his hands. “Hey, it’s not a bad idea…Better than going commando, right?”
I can't help but laugh. “I guess you’re right. Thanks, Dax. I’ll take a look at the clothes and figure something out.”
Lyka suddenly speaks up, “Don’t think you are getting an easy ride staying here for three weeks. It’s not a vacation. You can help around the cabin.”
“I'll help out wherever I can,” I agree immediately.
Lyka nods before turning and heading to a door near the stairs. It's a heavy wooden door with a sturdy lock. He pulls a key from his pocket, unlocks it, and steps inside, closing it behind him. The lock clicking back into place echoes slightly in the living room.
“Where does that door go?” I ask Dax, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Oh, just to the basement. We grow cannabis down there. It’s best you don’t go down there…it’s not safe,” Dax explains.
I nod, acknowledging what he just said. I reach the couch and sink into the cushions.
“Dax, wait…You can’t sleep on the couch for three weeks…”
“I mean…if you’re offering, I’ll happily stay in bed with you,” he says, winking and raising his eyebrow with a playful glint in his eyes.
“Nice try. Seriously, I’ll take the couch,” I insist.
“Honestly, it’s chill.”
Dax walks over to the couch and extends his hand. I grab it and he helps me up with ease. “Let me show you where we keep our stock.”
“Stock?” I echo.
I feel his palm against mine as he leads me through the kitchen toward a door I’ve never noticed before. We step through the door and I'm greeted by a room with shelves packed with canned goods, snacks, and household items. It's like a mini store, with so many supplies that it would put most convenience stores to shame. At the far end of the room, there are three large chest freezers.
“All our frozen meat is in there,” Dax explains, pointing to the freezers.
The shelves hold multiples of every item. “Why do you have this stockpile? It’s like a store…”
“Well, after the previous lockdown, we like to be prepared. We also get harsh winters out here. Plus, Lyka and I hate going into town.”
I walk over to a section of the shelves stocked with condoms and period products. I glance back at Dax, raising my eyebrows.
“What? You always gotta be prepared. We have a lot of female guests,” he says, shrugging it off.
“Of course,” I mutter, amused but not entirely surprised.
“Hey! Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Right?”
“I guess you’re right…” I shake my head.
Dax shows me where everything is kept. Shelves are dedicated to different types of foods, baking supplies, bottled water, and a section for cleaning supplies. I am surprised at the level of organization.
“You could survive out here for months without ever needing to go into town,” I say, running my fingers along the canned goods.
“That's the idea. We like our privacy, and this way, we can stay self-sufficient. Plus, you never know when you might need to hunker down for a while,” Dax says, leaning against a shelf and crossing his arms.
“That makes total sense. Especially with everything going on now.”
“Exactly. With the new lockdown, we don’t have to worry about running out of essentials. ”
We exit the stockroom, stepping back into the main cabin. “You got any more things to show me that I don't know about?” I ask. Dax turns around, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Well...we have the barn where Lyka does his woodwork, there's also a mini gym, and, behind the barn, we have a hot tub.”
“Okay…This place just keeps getting better.”
Dax grins and opens the back door as I follow him. We descend the balcony steps and I glance around, taking in the forest. Ahead of us, I see a large, wooden barn, its structure sturdy. As we approach the barn, I notice its double doors are slightly ajar. Dax pushes the doors open and I step inside, the smell of fresh-cut wood and sawdust greeting me. The interior is spacious, with various woodworking tools neatly arranged on one side. A large workbench dominates the left side of the room, covered in half-finished projects and pieces of wood.
“Lyka spends most of his time in here, that is, when he is not fucking some random girl. He’s pretty talented with woodworking. He made most of the furniture in the cabin,” Dax explains.
I run my fingers over a beautifully carved, wooden chair, admiring the intricate details. “This is amazing,” I say, genuinely impressed.
Dax leads me further into the barn and we reach an area with gym equipment, including a treadmill, a set of free weights, and a bench press. On the other side, there's a ping-pong and pool table. “We try to stay active, especially during the winter when we're cooped up inside,” Dax notes.
“I bet you guys have some intense matches.”
“Haha, you have no idea. Lyka’s got a mean backhand in ping-pong, and you already know we are pool sharks.”
We exit the barn and Dax leads me to a small clearing behind it. Nestled under trees is a hot tub surrounded by a wooden deck with several lounge chairs and a small table. It looks so inviting and relaxing.
“This is our little oasis. It’s great after a long day, especially when it's freezing in the winter.”
I look around, taking in the peaceful setting.
“You guys have everything you need out here. This place is incredible.”
“It’s our haven away from the world,” Dax says with a satisfied smile on his face.
“You know, Dax…While we’re in lockdown, you and Lyka can’t bring any girls here to, you know, fool around with.”
Dax grins and shakes his head. “I have my right hand.”
The mood feels lighter and we both laugh at the banter. I walk up to the hot tub and run my hand along it. “Can I try it out tonight?”
“My right hand or the hot tub?” Dax asks with a playful tone, smirking.
“The hot tub!”
“Haha. I’m just joking, sure.”
“Oh, shit! I don’t have any swimwear,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“You can go in naked…Perhaps just wear your bra and panties?” Dax suggests.
“Maybe…”
Dax and I start walking toward the cabin when the door opens. Lyka steps out, heading toward the barn. He acknowledges us with a nod as he passes by.
“Lyka!” Dax calls out. “Flora’s thinking about trying out the hot tub tonight.”
Lyka stops walking as he turns around and looks at me. A small smile tugs at his lips before he continues walking to the barn. Dax and I head inside, the scent of burning logs greeting us as we step into the living room.
I stand in the bathroom wearing a robe, preparing for an evening in the hot tub. Suddenly, dark thoughts flood my mind with memories of my mother, father, and past. The darkness overwhelms me and I feel like I’m being sucked into a black hole. My chest tightens and I find it hard to breathe.
I sit on the edge of the tub, trying to steady myself. Tears fill my eyes and I’m unable to hold back my sobs. My crying echoes around the bathroom loudly. I bite my hand, trying to hold in the noise.
The door suddenly opens and Dax rushes in. “Hey, hey,” he says calmly while kneeling beside me.
“I’m…I’m…sorry,” I say, my voice trembling. Feeling embarrassed and vulnerable, I wipe away my tears.
“It’s okay,” Dax replies, placing his arm around my shoulder. He is full of concern as he cups my face. His finger caresses my cheek and wipes away my tears. I glance up and see Lyka standing in the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable like always. Dax nods at him and a silent communication passes between them. Lyka lingers for a moment longer before turning and walking away, giving us privacy.
“If you want to talk, I’m here,” Dax offers softly.
I try to push the darkness away and take a deep breath. “I’ll be fine. Let’s go outside to the hot tub. Shall we?” I say, trying to ease my thoughts.
Dax hesitates, his eyes searching mine for any sign that I'm not okay. But I maintain the smile on my face, trying to convince him. Eventually, he nods, standing up and offering me his hand. “Okay,” he agrees, though his concern doesn't fade .
He helps me get up to my feet and I take his hand as we walk through the cabin. As we step outside, the cool air hits my skin and I wrap my robe around me tighter.
The string lights illuminate the pathway to the hot tub, casting a soft, magical glow over the surroundings.
Dax lifts the cover, revealing the steaming water. “Here you go.”
I hesitate. I can feel Dax’s eyes on me. With a deep breath, I untie the robe, let it open, and it falls to the ground revealing my black bra and panties. I catch a flicker of something in Dax’s eyes. I quickly slip into the hot tub, the warm water instantly wrapping around my body.
Dax drops his robe, revealing his navy swim shorts. His fit, toned body covered in tattoos takes my breath away. I quickly look away as I don’t want him to see my reaction. The water ripples around him as he lowers himself into the hot tub.
He settles into the opposite corner. The night air feels pleasantly cool on our exposed skin. I lean my head back on the side of the tub and close my eyes for a moment, trying to let the stress and the dark thoughts of earlier melt away.
Neither speaks for a while, simply soaking in the night and the water's warmth.
“How are you feeling?” Dax asks, breaking the silence.
I open my eyes and glance at him. He looks calm, yet his eyes are full of empathy.
“A little better. I’m sorry…Sometimes, it just hits me out of nowhere.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
I find myself relaxing more and my shoulders start to ease. “Thanks, Dax. I mean it.”
Dax leans over and places his phone on the side. “I’m gonna play some music, let me put it on shuffle.” The song I Feel Like I’m Drowning by Two Feet starts playing through the speakers .
I close my eyes again, leaning my head back and letting the tranquility of the night wash over me. Suddenly, I feel a splash of water hit my face, startling me. I open my eyes and squint at Dax.
“Did you just splash me?”
“No?” he replies with an innocent look before winking at me.
“Oh, it's on!” I narrow my eyes and start splashing him.
“Hey!” he exclaims, moving closer to the middle of the hot tub and splashing me back. Our laughter echoes around the trees.
I meet him in the middle, trying to outdo his splashes, both caught up in the moment. I lose my footing on the slippery surface and stumble. With a surprised scream, I fall onto Dax, causing him to lose his balance. We both slip, the water splashing around us. I land on his lap and place my palms against his chest to steady myself.
We are face to face and everything is still. I feel his breath on my face and my heart races. One of his hands rests on my waist, holding me steady, while the other caresses my thigh. His golden eyes lock onto mine and neither of us moves. I swallow hard as my body reacts to his touch.
His thumb moves up and down on my thigh, sending shivers up my body. I feel goosebumps form on my skin.
“Are you okay?” he whispers softly.
I bite my bottom lip. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
His hand tightens around my waist and I can’t help but lean in as our foreheads touch. Neither of us makes a move to pull away.
“Dax…” I start to say seductively.
He removes his hand from my thigh and traces his finger over my lips. His eyes search mine as if he's trying to read my though ts. The moment stretches on and I want to kiss him. I wrap my arms around his neck, preparing myself.
The sound of a twig snapping jolts us out of our moment and we both turn our heads toward the forest as a fox emerges from the trees. For a brief second, it feels like the fox is a silent witness to our almost-kiss, but then it darts away, disappearing into the night. I gulp and quickly move off Dax's lap. My heart is still racing.
“Um…I’m gonna head inside. I’m feeling sleepy,” I stutter, my voice sounding shaky. I try to avoid eye contact with him.
“I just need to put the cover over the tub and lock up. I’ll be in soon…”
We both pretend that we didn't just have a moment together. I climb out of the hot tub and grab my robe, wrapping it tightly around myself.
I hear the forest sounds as I walk back to the cabin. The moonlight casts a soft glow over everything.
I reach the cabin and my mind goes crazy, repeatedly replaying the moment in the hot tub.
His lips, eyes, and touch. Oh, fuck! Get out of my head.
I rush towards the bedroom. As I walk down the hallway, I hear a faint moaning. The sounds become clear as I get closer and I realize they’re coming from Lyka's room.
I bet he has a fucking woman in there!
The door is slightly open and I glance inside. The lamp casts a dim light over the room. Lyka is fully naked, lying back on his bed with his feet on the ground. His tattooed body looks amazing; his head is tilted back into his pillow and his eyes are closed. He is completely lost in the moment as he moves his hand up and down his cock.
I feel breathless. I want to step back, but I can’t tear my eyes away. The way his body trenches with each stroke, the quiet moans that escape his lips. His cock is big, the tip glistening with pre-cum.
His hand movements get faster and his breathing becomes ragged as his other hand clenches the sheet. His moans grow louder and I almost want him to say my name. I can’t help but feel aroused watching him.
Lyka's strokes become more frantic as he works his cock. I watch as he grabs a tissue from the bedside table, placing it on the tip of his rosy, swollen cock. With a final, loud groan, he releases, his body shuddering as he comes. I feel a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me—arousal, guilt, and a hint of envy.
I hear the sound of the back door shutting. I panic and quickly back away from Lyka’s door.
I move down the hallway as silently as possible. I glance back over my shoulder, expecting Lyka to appear in the doorway, but the hallway remains empty.
Thank God!
As I reach my bedroom, I carefully close the door behind me, leaning against it to catch my breath.
I try to shake off my arousal and guilt. The sound of his moans, the way his body moved. The room feels like it's going to swallow me whole and I find myself pacing, unable to settle. Eventually, I force myself to sit on the bed, my thoughts still whirling around.