12. CHAPTER 12
I ’m shocked awake by a rough hand shoving my legs. My eyes snap open to hazy greyness, and for a disorienting moment, I can’t remember where I am.
“Move your ass, little man.” Eden’s voice is gruff behind me and I remember everything.
The wind howls outside, still as violent as it was last night, and I pull my sleeping bag up around my face. “What time is it?”
He grabs my ankles. "Time for you to move the fuck over."
“What the hell!” I yelp as he spins me around until my legs are on the back of the sofa and my head is dangling off the front.
“That’s my spot.”
Looking up, I’m met with Eden looming over me, wearing only a towel slung low on his hips and nothing else.
His hair is wet, and even in the dim light, I can see droplets of water falling to his chest before running down his stomach.
And his… his… It's right freaking there .
The towel is doing nothing to hide his size, and he knows it.
Like he's the alpha wolf reminding me who's in charge.
“See something you like?”
“N–no!” I snap, acting offended, and frantically move myself to the adjacent side of the sectional. “But why are you…”
Eden smirks as my voice trails off, and he pours himself a coffee from the silver percolator on the stovetop. “It’s my cabin. I’ll walk around however I damn well please.”
“I’m just saying, a little warning would be nice.”
“Aww. Did I make the little man uncomfortable?”
I glare at him. "I'm not a prude. I just wasn't expecting a peep show with my wake-up call."
As he turns back to me, I watch Eden’s face switch from cheeky to steely. “Watch your mouth.”
I try to look away as he sits—really I do—but the towel separates over his thigh, and the way his dick bounces beneath the terrycloth has my eyes betraying my common sense.
I force my focus towards the television screen as he turns it on, along with the playstation. But as Eden leans his elbow on the armrest, he takes his tattooed leg and stretches it out along the sofa.
My jaw slackens but I quickly shut it again. “I–is that GTA 4?”
“Do you see a PS5?”
“I was only asking, jeez.”
“Then you should try to make it sound less judgy.”
“What time is it?”
“Like, seven thirty.”
“Oh… okay.”
“You’re doing it again.”
“What?”
“Sounding judgy. Like you’ve got an issue with how I spend my time.”
I shrink back, shaking my head. "I don't, I just—"
"Get yourself a coffee,” he interrupts, eyes fixed on the TV.
“I’m not really a fan," I mumble out the lie and make a point of turning my body away from Eden, because— what the hell is wrong with me? Have I forgotten my black eye, or all the times he taunted me as a kid? Or am I really pathetic enough to forgive it all just so I can remain rooted in place, sneaking glances when I think he’s not looking?
"For fuck's sake," Eden growls suddenly, pausing the game. "You gonna sit there and stare all day?"
"I–I'm not staring.”
“Bullshit. It’s creepy as hell.”
“I’m sorry. I just… I’m not sure what I’m meant to do.”
“So you expect me to be your keeper now, too?”
“I don’t expect anything.”
“Well I can’t handle you just sitting there.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I don’t know. Go take a shower. You fucking reek.”
“I do not!”
“Yes, you do.”
Taking the front of my hoodie, I bring it to my nose. Then I pull the neck out to smell my chest and underarm. “It’s not like I have much of a choice.”
“You have all the choice.”
“I've been trying, but…nothing I have is clean.”
“It’s not my fault you don’t prioritise your hygiene.”
“You have a freaking shower.” I extend my arm towards the bathroom before smacking my hand against my chest. “I have a bucket and some snow.”
“There’s plenty of snow, now.”
“Fuck you,” I mutter under my breath and kick off the sleeping bag.
Eden’s hands drop to his lap and his head falls limp to one side. “Where the hell are you going?”
“To get snow!” I yell, throwing my hands towards the door.
“Just get in the fucking shower.”
“Wait… Were you being serious?”
“Do you need an engraved invitation? Yes, I’m fucking serious!”
The harshness of his tone makes me flinch. “I’m sorry… I didn’t think you’d actually let me have one.” With my fingertips nervously fidgeting, I slowly walk in front of Eden before stopping. “M–my towel is still in my bag.”
He lets out an exasperated sigh and runs a hand through his long, dark hair without looking at me. "Use one of mine. They're in the cabinet under the sink."
"Really?" The word slips out before I can stop it.
His eyes finally meet mine. “Jesus, Jin. Yes. Really.”
I nod to myself for what feels like the fiftieth time, and continue slowly towards the bathroom.
“Oh, Jintae,” he calls out in a mocking, sing-song voice, one step before I enter the bathroom. “Make it quick. Solar only works when there’s sun, and I don’t much like the idea of the generator having to heat up water for you.”
“Asshole,” I mutter to myself and I step over the threshold.
“What was that?”
“I said, thanks,” I lie, and he knows it as well as I do.
“Just hurry the fuck up before I change my mind.”
I shut the door, and lean my forehead up against it.
Why is it impossible for him to do anything thoughtful without immediately reminding me that I mean nothing to him? That he would rather use what’s left in the solar batteries to play Grand Theft Auto, than to allow me to clean myself properly for the first time in ten days?
But what other choice do I have but to take it?
I don’t get to have a sudden change of heart now.
I’m trapped, completely dependent on Eden van der Hart and what his mood dictates.