Ruin (The Rhodes 1)

I snort. He’s been telling me that every time I ask. Whatever. It’s not like Kane ever provided answers.

“If there isn’t anything else.” He nods before leaving.

I retrieve the towels and run a bath. Once the bathroom becomes foggy, I strip and sink into the spacious bathtub fit for three people.

I sigh at the cool citrus scent coming out of the foam. It’s such a coincidence to find my favourite citrus products here. Or maybe my mind refuses to admit that it’s far from a coincidence.

I close my eyes and relax further into the warmth of the tub until bubbly water covers me to the chin.

Baths are the best things that’s happened to me since I came here.

Beside Kane. He reminds of Grandpa. He’s kind and his mere presence prevents my loneliness.

The complete opposite of Aaron.

Why would he take a captive if he planned to stop visiting? Ever since the first time I met him, I always had his attention— one twisted way or the other. Now, he just vanished. There’s no sign of him.

“Why am I even thinking about him?” I whisper to the empty beige-tiled bathroom. “He can go to hell for all I care.”

It must be because of what his mother wrote about him. Or maybe it’s because of the enchanting smile he flashed me before he disappeared. The mere memory of it sends unconscious butterflies into a frenzy.

Aaron is a monster. I’m fully aware of that. He kidnapped me, there’s nothing that could conceal that. And yet, there’s this abhorrent need for his company. A sick lethal attractiveness towards him builds inside me like the darkness I paint subconsciously.

He’s The Devil, but like any devil, it’s impossible to resist him.

Great. I’m more messed up than I thought.

I pull strands of my hair in a harsh grip. The pain at the roots of my skull does nothing to change the direction of my thoughts.

Snap out of it, Mae.

I spill water on my shoulders then rub them gently. I close my eyes at the soothing sensation. An image of Mum massaging my shoulders jumps into my closed lids. An unwilling tear rolls down my cheeks at the memory of my family and friends. They seem so distant now. So out of reach. Thinking of them always sucks me into a depressive black hole.

Enough. I won’t get swallowed in that place again.

Without opening my eyes, I reach to where I put the shower gel. My fingertips travel the length of the cold marbled surface before the bottle is placed in my palm.

“Thank—”

My lids open and the bottle falls into the water with a flop.

Aaron.

He came? Before my mind goes blank, the reality of my current nakedness slams at my brain.

“G-get out!” I pull my knees to my chest and clumsily wrap my arms around them.

“Is that how you greet me after this long absence, bird?” A smirk plays on his lips and he arches one of his eyebrows. “Besides, I had cameras on you in the dungeons. If I wanted to see you unclothed, I would’ve already.”

Wait. What? My gaze roams sideways in search of the spying things.

A low chuckle pulls me back to Aaron as if hypnotised. “Always the curious little kitten, aren’t you?” He leans over until his breath brushes against my flushed skin. “There is none in this room.”

The beautiful bastard. I can’t ignore how attractive he is when he’s this close.

I clear my throat and narrow my eyes. “Am I supposed to be grateful that you’re not a pervert?”

His lips twitch in his signature almost-smile. “Who says I am not?” He tilts his head to the side, his heated gaze travels my length leisurely as if recording every inch to memory. Tingles erupt all over my skin and heat smothers my cheeks. To my horror, it’s not out of embarrassment or discomfort. My fingertips twitch to release my legs. Show him myself in full. And then... what? Seduce him?