4. "You're walking around my house like it's your bedroom."
I sat in the kitchen with my back against the island as I sipped on my morning coffee, dressed in a loose button up shirt and shorts.
As I stared out the window, noticing the sunny weather, I heard footsteps approach the kitchen.
Steady and precise.
I didn't have to look to know whose footsteps they were.
I could feel the weight of his presence before he even entered the room. It was as if the man could even influence gravity.
Zayden.
He walked in, dressed in an impeccable white dress shirt and black pants, his hair still damp from the shower, the scent of his pricey perfume filling up the kitchen, masking the aroma of my cappuccino.
His jaw was locked like someone had already pissed him off when the day had barely even started.
But as someone who had known him as a kid, I was aware that he was practically born with that expression. The man could easily pass for a robot.
"Good morning." I forced my lips into a cheeky smile as his dark eyes met mine.
He didn't respond, just stared at me for a minute, drinking in my appearance before turning to the coffee machine.
I watched him make his coffee as I sipped on my own, my gaze trailing over his tall and muscled body.
He was a sight to behold, doubtlessly. If he weren't a businessman, he could very much be a model. A very successful and sexy model.
"You shouldn't be dressed like that." His sharp voice cut through the silence, bursting my thoughts.
I blinked, setting my mug on the counter. "Pardon me? Like what?"
He turned around, his dark and stormy eyes meeting mine. "Like that." He drawled.
I blinked again, before letting out a soft laugh. "You're right... it's really hot today, isn't it?"
Surprise flashed over his face as I pulled the button-up down my shoulders, revealing the sleeveless tank top barely covering me up underneath.
"I feel bad for you having to be in a suit all day long. How are you coping with this weather in all those clothes?"
He covered up his surprise with a glare. "Your attire is inappropriate."
I laughed softly, glancing down. "I'm wearing shorts and a tank top. It's pretty standard clothing. What's inappropriate in this?"
"You're walking around my house like it's your bedroom." He replied coldly, his glare intensifying.
I arched a brow. "Your house? Really?"
He took a couple of predatory steps towards me before towering above me. "Yes, my house," he drawled menacingly. "My house that I absolutely have no tolerance for you being in."
I didn't let his words faze me. "Are you always this grumpy so early in the morning, Zayden?"
His eyes darkened. "Mr. Ashford."
I laughed. "This isn't your boardroom. Loosen up."
He only seemed to get angrier.
"Okay, I get it," I said cheerfully. "You're one of those people who are grouchy until they get their morning coffee, aren't you?"
Picking up my mug from the island, I presented it to him.
He eyed it just the way he had eyed my cookies years ago. Like I had offered him poison.
Giving me another look of disapproval, he stepped away, grabbed his coffee from the counter and stormed out.
———
That night, I stepped out onto the balcony with a cup of coffee in my hand, pining for some fresh air.
As I gazed at the starry sky above, I heard a rustle nearby, before turning to look at the source.
My body stiffened as I spotted Zayden on the balcony next door, surprised that the room next to mine was his.
A waist-high stone divider separated both balconies, but it was still a very crossable boundary.
His figure was silhouetted in the low light, tall and solid, one hand braced on the railing, the other holding a glass. He wore a plain black t-shirt and sweatpants, looking ridiculously handsome even in something so casual.
He didn't say anything at first as he acknowledged my presence. Just looked over at me with that unreadable expression, his eyes trailing over my bare legs beneath my shorts.
"Oh wow. So we're balcony neighbours." I stated enthusiastically, ignoring his heated gaze on my exposed skin.
His energy didn't match mine. "Unfortunately."
I snickered, leaning against the railing. "You know most men would die for an opportunity like this. To be as close to me as you are in this moment."
He didn't give any thought away as he kept a neutral expression. "Stupid men."
I pressed my lips together, taking a sip of my coffee.
"This is very indecent." He suddenly remarked.
I turned my head towards him. "What? Having coffee on a balcony?"
He turned to shoot me a glare. "Your outfit. I thought I made it clear this morning that you can't dress like that in my house."
I feigned a smile. "Unfortunately, I don't let men decide what I'm going to wear."
"You—"
"Also," I cut him off, raising my voice, feeling satisfied as surprise flashed on his face. "Don't speak to me in that tone. I'm not ten anymore."
He ran his eyes over me. "I can see that."
"Then act accordingly." I deadpanned, giving him a fierce look before returning to my room.
———
The smell of fresh coffee pulled me into the kitchen.
I padded across the cool tiles, stretching my arms overhead as I stifled a yawn. My oversized shirt rode up with the movement, revealing a hint of skin and the curve of my thigh. Beneath it, just black sleep shorts—barely there and blissfully comfortable.
I wasn't dressing for him, if that's what he thought. I always dressed like that. Besides, I didn't need to show skin to have a man's attention.
Zayden stood by the kitchen counter, impeccably dressed in a navy suit.
His watch gleamed in the light as he adjusted his cuffs, his tie already perfect. His entire presence screamed power, control, and leave me the hell alone.
"Good morning!" I chirped, heading for the coffee machine.
He didn't respond. Just flicked a glance in my direction and returned to scrolling on his phone.
Typical Zayden Ashford.
I poured myself a cup, feeling his gaze flicker again. Subtle, but not fast enough. His eyes definitely lingered a second too long on the strip of skin between my shirt and shorts.
"Something wrong with your neck?" I asked, sipping slowly. "It's been turning my way a lot lately."
He exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. "Do you always walk around dressed like that?"
I tilted my head. "Like what? Comfortable?"
"Like you're trying to provoke attention."
I laughed. "I don't dress for men or their attention, Zayden. Besides, I could be fully covered, and men would still drop to their knees before me."
Something flickered in his eyes, a thick brow arching up. "Who are these tasteless men who have you believing you're anywhere near good looking?"
I smirked, choosing to not reply.
He inhaled sharply. "Just remember that you're in my house—"
"Your house that was built using the money my father made with yours," I shot, cutting him off as I looked him in the eye. "So, this is my house as much as it is yours."
His jaw clenched, the vein in his temple twitching as he stepped closer.
His voice was low and lethal. "You're lucky my parents adore you, Aurelia. Otherwise, you'd have been out the moment I walked in."
I leaned against the counter, swirling my coffee casually. "And yet... here I am. Still standing. Still breathing your air."
His eyes dropped once more—just briefly—to my legs before snapping back up to my face, colder than before. "You really think you're something, don't you?"
"I know I am." I gave him a confident, dangerous smile.
"I can tell what you're trying to do. You think you can grab my attention wearing some stupid clothes that are barely there, but guess what, Aurelia? Nothing you'd do will ever impress me." He said bitterly.
I snorted. "Impress you? Please. Do you think I have the will to impress a man like you?"
He scowled, backing away before heading for the door with his mug in hand.
"You know," I said lightly, pushing off the counter and walking toward the kitchen doorway, "when a man goes out of his way to remind a woman how unattractive he finds her, it's usually because the opposite is true."
He stiffened in the doorway.
I paused at the doorway and glanced over my shoulder, voice soft and sweet. "Have a good day at work, Zayden."
He didn't say a word.
But when I reached the far end of the hallway, I heard the sound of a mug breaking into pieces.