I woke up to the sound of a dying engine.
I stretched, and rubbed my legs together, to feel the cold air hitting my thighs. My stockings unrolled as I stretched, and I watched the black elastic roll down my knee as I flexed my legs.
He opened the door, and stood watching me for a second.
"What a sight," he remarked, smiling.
He leaned forward, and pulled up the stocking of one leg, circling his hands slowly around my thigh as he moved it up. I arched my back and raised my chest towards him, humming. I parted my legs slightly, so that he might see a glimpse of what was happening to me.
He stared right where I wanted him to.
"What a creature you are," he continued, smirking at my actions. "But we're here now, pet. Get out and take a look around."
He left, so I got up, irritated, pushing myself off the seat.
We were parked in front of a two storied stone and wood cabin. A thicket of woods surrounded us on three sides, even hiding the road that just led us here. On one side, there was a large lake, and a side of the house jutted out like a pier up onto the lake.
It was dusk, and I could see wisps of smoke rising into the dark sky.
"There's another cottage, just a walk away. A couple lives there, and they help out with the housework while we're here."
"Do you come here often?"
"Me? Not a lot. Only for some family gatherings, and even then I make excuses. But the rest of them come here often. We usually have to schedule who gets it when."
"It's a pretty place. I wouldn't mind living here," I replied.
"It's far from everything," he said. "Far from work, shops, schools.."
"That's a good thing sometimes," I said, as I looked at his shoulders, unable to meet his eyes.
He chuckled.
"You're a straight open book. What do you have to hide away from?"
I didn't know how to answer.
We took our bags and went up to the doorstep. Before he could open it, the door opened.
"Liam, so good to see you."
"You too, Mr. Jay."
Mr. Jay was a kind looking, middle aged man. He seemed to talk with his hands and eyes, and I saw his eyes glint as he looked at me. Then, it went away, as if keeping the idea of me aside until it's needed.
"This is my friend, Kim," continued Liam.
I felt a shrinking feeling in the pit of my stomach- he called me a 'friend'. I looked at him- for what I felt the first time, again- I saw nothing.
Nothing that could even give a clue of what had happened a few hours ago, even a few moments ago, between us.
On the other hand, I guessed he was being honest- just stating the facts that Mr. Jay had to know.
Mr Jay graciously lowered his head at me. "Pleasure to meet you, Kim. While I'm here, ask me for anything you need." I nodded and murmured thanks. I really couldn't reply.
There was a fireplace in the living room, and I automatically gravitated towards it, I was just so cold. Mr Jay saw that.
"Liam, were you being stingy with the heater? Kim looks like she needs defrosting!"
"Are you cold, pet?" asked Liam. My ears perked at the name calling. Isn't Mr. Jay finding this odd? Who calls a friend pet?
Or did he do this so many times with other girls, that he's just used to it?
"I'm fine, I just need- warmth," I muttered. I was going to say water but something in my head stopped me.
"I'm done with dinner-oh-" a pink, absolutely round lady entered the room.
"Louise," said Liam, going forward to hug her.
The woman squealed, and rushed forward to envelop him into her bosom.
"It's so great to see you again! How are you? I keep telling Jay to call you but he just thinks I'll be bothering you. But that's bullshit, I know you need some time off, you overwork yourself, my sweet. Is this your girlfriend?" She asked, looking at me.
Liam gave her a little peck on her cheek. "I am fine. And none of your business," he said naughtily, as Louise laughed indulgently.
"Drop everything upstairs and come for dinner," she ordered, as she hurriedly turned back to the kitchen."We'll leave you two after that."
I blushed, and quickly scrambled to get my bags to get as far away from her as possible. Liam followed behind me.
"I know you want us to get to it," he said, mischievously. "But do you know the rooms?"
I kept on climbing up. "I'm taking whatever door is unlocked."
"They all are."
"Then I'm taking the one I like best. I am your guest, after all."
He laughed. "Whatever you wish then."
The upstairs corridor lead to many different rooms. I peeked into one of the rooms, and saw that it faced the lake. I looked around the room. It was a big room, decked in black and purple, and was lavishly decorated with wood carved furniture.
"Not this one," I decided.
I moved to the next one. This one was diametrically different- it was a small room, had a medium sized cedar wood bed, had two closets and a beautiful chaise longue, under a graciously wide window which was also overlooking the lake.
"This one," I said, walking in to drop my bags.
"Sure?" asked Liam from the doorway. He looked baffled.
I was shocked that he was shocked. "Why? It's a nice room. What's wrong with it?"
"Well, alright, but you can always go to another room."
"I won't," I replied, annoyed. I set down my bags, as though confirming my ownership.
"Sure?"
"Yes. Now get out. Go to your own room." I started unpacking my things.
"If you say so," he said, and entered the room. He started unpacking as well.
"What?" I said, annoyed.
Liam looked up, and walked over to me. He reached out to run a hand through my hair, and smoothly removed my hair band. He smirked.
"Little rabbit, this is my room. My den. You're the intruder here," he struck the band across my cheek, and I gasped as it stung.
"You can still leave," he said slowly, eyeing me.
"I don't want to. You'll just have to put up with me." I said, annoyed.
