Frayed (Torn #2)(17)

“I’ll get you some pain killers, be right back,” he rasped out, the deep timbre of his voice bothered me. I could hear him slide out of bed before he quietly left the room. I suppose I drifted back to sleep because I was a little disoriented when Taylor caressed my arm. I blinked a few times, until there’s enough moisture in my eyes. Taylor had two blue pills in one hand and a glass of orange juice in the other. I half sat-up, without looking at him, I silently took the pills and orange juice. Once I washed everything down my throat, I humbly thanked him.

“Go back to sleep. I get up early and Bass should be up soon. I’ll be out on the patio if you need anything.” Taylor still looked serious, not a smile anywhere this morning. I hardly blamed him after my idiocy last night.

Once the effects of the pills vanquished my monster migraine, I retuned to sleep. My body simply couldn’t get enough of it.





***



“Knock-knock, the witch is back.” Lindsey called out after she opened the door.

Dear Almighty, I forgot that she had a tendency of waking up people. Emma complained about it for much of the past year. It was one of the reasons why Amber and I didn’t want to dorm with her.

“f*uk, Lindsey!” I grumbled when I felt her get on the bed, and start to jump on it like a damn, little girl having the time of her life.

“Oh, come on, granny! You missed lunch already! We gotta go and seek out Greek McHotties!” Lindsey screamed at me, laughing in between sentences. One didn’t need to see how happy she was. Yeah, and to think I almost came close last night… Taylor was right. I felt like the selfish, evil bitch he accused me of being, I truly did.

Lindsey was smiling down on me when she saw me sit up, obviously giving in to her mad tricks. “Give me fifteen,” I mumbled, weary and sleepy.

She jumped out of the bed and landed perfectly on the floor. “Fifteen, got it! Let the countdown begin. Tick-tock!” Lindsey called out before she closed the door after her.

Knowing how she was, she really would time me. Crazy woman, but I love her no less for it.

Instead of fifteen, I was done in ten minutes. I wasn’t really up to putting any make-up on, so after I showered and lathered some lotion on, I was good to go.

I was thankful when Taylor acted normal, as if he didn’t save my life last night. Yet, he still unnerved me somehow.

Lindsey and Taylor agreed that they would love to take the ferry to get to the other island, instead of the small planes they have around. I really couldn’t care less about any of the transportation, so I just followed their lead.

I was surprised when I found the ferry ride was actually relaxing. I half listened to Taylor and Lindsey looking over the travel guide for Ios, planning places to check out once we were there.

We arrived on Ios right about sundown and checked in at a three-bedroom villa that overlooked the sea. On the way to the hotel, we saw crowds of people our age enjoying their drinks and lounging around the beach. “God, I’m crazy excited!!!” Lindsey couldn’t contain her joy when she spotted a few hot men.

Yeah, this was going to be a great night. Fight it, Taylor had said last night. Yep, I would fight it, MY WAY.

I was barely getting my things out of my luggage when I heard a knock on the door. “The men aren’t going to disappear, you know. Give me half an hour then I will be set to go.”

When the door opened, I was startled to see Taylor instead of the more expected, Lindsey. “I’m attracted to breasts, so no, men aren’t my thing.” He gave me a knee-buckling kind of smile.

Holy f*uk, this guy was hot. I mean, I knew he was. But now, I’m really noticing it, blatantly noticing it, BIG TIME.

I bit my lip and looked away, hating that my body was reacting to him. Could this be Hero Syndrome? God, I hope not. That would be humiliating to like someone who saw you at your lowest. “Did you want something?” I asked, still not looking at him.

He strode forward and sat comfortably on my bed. He cleared his throat, and I could feel his heated gaze on me, but I didn’t budge to meet it. “How are you? I’ve been meaning to ask, but I never really got the chance to.”

Ah, shit-cakes. “I’m still reeling, I guess. You don’t have to worry about that again, though.” I looked up and finally met his probing gaze. “It was a random thing. I assure you, it never crossed my mind before.”

Taylor got up and silently strode before me. “That may be, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Who knows how many impulsive, deadly endeavors there may be?”

“I’m not a nutcase, not even close to suicidal. That was a one-off incident. One I won’t be attempting again, I promise.” I pressed my lips together, trying to gain some composure, maybe a little bit of dignity, too.

His moss green-eyes drilled into mine, causing my breath to hitch. Time stood still, I felt bereft and perplexed at the same time. Although, most of all, I felt exposed to this man that I barely knew.

“I’m still watching you, Trista. Think of it like I’m your own personal guardian angel; a dark one.” His scrutinizing gaze roved over me one more time. “We’ll see you in thirty then.” Taylor left my room after parting with those words.

It took me a few more seconds until I let out a long breath. My fingers clenched on the rim of my opened luggage, speechless. What the hell just happened? Was that a promise or f*uking sexual tension? I was beyond disconcerted, but I pushed myself to get ready and show Taylor how his actions— and his soul-impaling-eyes—had no effect at all.