10. "Only I would end up stuck to a wall because of an idiot like you."
(1142 words)
She stood frozen mid-step, her hands at her sides, clutching the edge of her dress.
The back hem—what little there was of it—had caught on the ornate hook of a decorative wall sconce.
The delicate velvet fabric was stretched tight, the seams straining.
A single shift or tug, and the whole thing would tear right off her.
Shit.
"Don't move." I said quickly, already striding back toward her.
Her eyes widened in panic. "I didn't even realize—God, I can't reach—"
The dress, already scandalously short, had ridden higher as she turned her torso, completely exposing her thighs and the edge of her black, lace panties.
Fuck.
I heard faint voices of a group of people venturing towards the hallway, probably aiming to head out to the terrace.
Aurelia's eyes widened in horror as she realised it.
I stood shielding her with my body as I assessed the situation and tried to figure out a way to get her dress out of the hook without tearing it apart.
She was seconds away from flashing half the guest list if she so much as breathed wrong.
"Zayden," she said again, voice tight. "Do something!"
My eyes snapped up at her, dark and accusing. "See? This is what happens when you dress so provocatively!"
She glared at me. "Save me the lecture and just help me."
"Keep that mouth of yours shut or I'll leave you here by yourself." I threatened, though I didn't mean it.
Her eyes widened, a look of fear crossing her face. She didn't speak.
Towering over her frame, I attempted to get her dress off the hook as carefully as I could.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered. "Only I would end up stuck to a wall because of an idiot like you."
"Shut up."
"You shut up." She retorted. She just clearly could never not talk back.
I leaned in closer to get a better angle, the scent of her perfume hitting me hard. My fingers worked quickly, unhooking the hem from the brass curl.
But just as I removed her dress from the hook, the flimsy fabric gave up, producing a giant tear at the back, exposing her panty clad ass.
I had to do everything in my will to not curse.
"Great!" She chastised. "You took so much time for what? I'm practically naked from the back now!"
I glared at her before snorting. "You were always naked, Aurelia. Even with the dress on. Besides, isn't it your favourite thing to do? Sauntering around barely covered?"
She glowered at me.
Just then, the group of people whose voices we had heard approaching the hallway, stepped into the corridor, laughing as they chatted amongst themselves.
Aurelia's eyes widened, and I immediately shielded her from plain sight. Lucky for her she was so short and I was 6'1.
As they disappeared towards the terrace, barely noticing us, I stepped away from her, annoyed at how her scent was practically consuming me.
"What now?" She asked softly, pressed firmly to the wall like she was a picture frame.
Something gripped at my heart. Something foreign and undecipherable that I instantly shook away.
Sighing frustratedly, I peeled my jacket off and pulled her away from the wall before flinging it around her shoulders.
She looked up at me in surprise, her cheeks tinting red.
"Turn around." I mumbled.
She seemed to be in a daze as she obeyed without argument.
My jacket covered more than what her little dress did.
"Thank you." She spoke softly.
I ignored her velvety tone, that sounded innocent and genuinely nice for once.
"Just to be on the safe side, let's head home before your ass is on display for everyone to see." I said with barely any emotion in my voice.
Her cheeks reddened even more, and she nodded quietly before following me.
Keeping her head down, she followed me outside to our car parked in the parking lot.
We settled in, and my gaze briefly dropped to the exposed curve of her thigh before I forced it back up. "Next time, I won't come to your rescue."
"I'll keep that in mind." She muttered, resting her head on the window pane and closing her eyes.
———
I hadn't meant to barge into Zayden's room without knocking once again.
I just forgot.
I swear.
I just wanted to return his jacket he had wrapped around my shoulders last night. Probably the most chivalrous thing he had ever done.
I clutched the crisp, expensive fabric in my hands as I pushed open the door to his room, stepping inside with practiced ease. "Here's your j—"
I froze mid-sentence as I caught him pulling on his shirt, his torso fully exposed to my eyes yet again.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me." He uttered furiously, buttoning up his shirt.
"I—"
"Does knocking hurt your hands, Aurelia?" He growled.
"Calm down. I forgot." I spoke calmly, stepping forward.
"What the fuck do you want?" He demanded, cuffing his shirt.
I blinked, holding up his black jacket. "I'm here to return your jacket. Last night you draped it over my shoulders. It was very heroic of you."
"I remember what happened last night. I don't need you spelling it out for me." He snapped.
I pressed my lips together. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."
"Get out."
I rolled my eyes, stepping forward instead of leaving, laying the jacket on his bed.
I tried not to look at the way the light kissed the curve of his collarbone or how his pants sat just low enough to be distracting. But it was difficult. Everything about him was unfairly, annoyingly distracting.
His eyes met mine, unreadable and intense. "You really need to stop walking in here."
"Maybe lock your door next time."
"Maybe stop treating this place like it's your playground." He shot back.
I laughed quietly.
He narrowed his eyes at me. "You like making a habit of crossing boundaries, don't you?"
"Only yours." I grinned.
His jaw ticked.
That simmering tension between us—volatile and familiar—stretched tight in the silence that followed. I could practically feel it crackling in the air between us.
He stepped back toward the mirror, adjusting his shirt like I wasn't still standing there, like my presence didn't affect him.
"Why are you still here?" He demanded.
"Just waiting for a thank you."
"For what?" He shot me a glare.
"For returning your jacket." I smiled sweetly.
"Leave."
"You're welcome."
He sighed irritatedly.
Flashing him a smug smile, I turned to the door.
"Next time, knock." He called from behind.
I stood in the doorway, turning to look at him. "Next time wear more clothes."
"Bold coming from you." I heard him say as I slipped out of his room.