Did You Really Think I Was a Whore?

Aurora Brooks POV

My legs froze on the sand the moment I realized I was about to step into the house of a man I barely knew. He noticed my hesitation and turned to me, his face cold and unreadable.

"Should I leave you here in the cold? If that is what you want, I can walk away."

I shook my head no, but doubt still gripped me.

"Honestly… I do not have anywhere else to go."

I lowered my eyes, shame pressing on my chest because of what my father had done.

"Did you hear what happened between me and my father earlier?"

He moved his head slightly, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Not everyone deserves the title of father, Aurora."

He bit his lip, anger flashing across his face. I saw the way his gaze slid toward me.

"If he ever tries to hurt you again, he will find me standing in front of him. I will not spare him. Not because you matter to me."

My eyes widened with sudden happiness, but the feeling shattered when he finished his sentence.

"But because I despise oppression and violence. Especially when it is aimed at a small girl like you."

I stepped closer, annoyance rising inside me like a stubborn child.

"But I am not a little girl."

He walked ahead with firm masculine steps, mockery wrapping around his voice.

"Since the only thing you picked from everything I said was that useless word, then yes. You are definitely a child."

I followed behind him, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

"But that part needed correcting. I am not a child. I am twenty four."

He answered stubbornly, and it irritated me. I hated pointless arguments.

"You are still young, Aurora."

A large villa appeared a few meters away. It stood close to the spot where we had been sitting earlier.

"Actually… my father tells me I am nothing but a spinster. He says girls my age are already married with children."

A low laugh slipped from him. It was the first time I heard his deep, masculine laugh.

"Your father is nothing but a parasite. A tiny minded fool who cannot see past his own nose."

Excitement burst out of me. I ran forward and punched his back while laughing without control.

"Oh my God. You insulted him better than I ever could."

He turned his neck slowly toward my hand that was still touching his back. I quickly pulled it away.

"Sorry."

We crossed a wooden bridge laid over the cold sand and walked a few steps toward the main door.

The white color of the villa soothed my eyes and warmed my heart. It felt like a palace opening in front of me.

A small garden with a glowing pool stood between us and the entrance. When we reached the door, I said softly,

"I used to see this house every time I came down to the beach to swim. But I never knew it was yours."

He opened the door for me and turned on the lights. His large body moving ahead of me looked strangely beautiful, like a view worth staring at.

"My sister is lucky."

He asked calmly while removing his black jacket, leaving only a tight white shirt hugging his body.

"Why?"

My eyes wandered over his sharp, masculine shape before I answered quietly,

"Because she has a rich father."

He sighed impatiently, so I turned my gaze away and looked around the room. A huge painting of a ship battling rough waves decorated the hall. Blue and brown colors mixed together in a beautiful way.

"You love the sea, Captain."

He replied with irritation while walking toward the drinks bar. I did not like his tone.

"I am a ship captain."

I moved quickly toward him and grabbed the glass and the bottle from his hands. The contact between us exploded like thunder, though I was the only one shaken by it.

"Alcohol is very unhealthy. Especially for your heart."

His eyes darkened. He pulled his hand away and watched me return the bottle to the wooden cabinet.

"Will I regret telling you about my condition?"

I straightened immediately when I noticed his eyes boldly staring at the small opening of my shirt. My voice came out tense.

"You will not regret it."

He murmured in a rough whisper as he stepped closer.

"Let us keep it a little secret between us. Do not tell anyone."

Fear filled my eyes. My thin body pressed against the wooden cabinet behind me. I was sure the edge of it had stamped itself into my hips.

My voice trembled, which made a wicked smile appear on his face.

"I will not tell anyone."

Without breaking eye contact, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me with him. I screamed in panic. He rubbed his nose and eyes as if annoyed by the noise.

"Where are we going? Mister Alexander, where are you taking me?"

He did not answer.

A few seconds later I found myself standing inside a luxurious bathroom filled with shining glass walls.

He spoke calmly.

"Your feet are dirty."

I glanced down at them. He was right. They looked miserable after running through dirt and sand.

"That is true. I am sorry for entering your house like that. I am sure I dirtied the floor."

He pointed toward the shower head with his finger and said arrogantly,

"I am the one who brought you into my house."

It was a bit high for me, so he stepped beside me and pulled it down himself.

"Thank you."

He returned to his previous spot, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his stomach.

I whispered while trying to turn the shower on. After a moment the water finally started.

"What happened in the bar that night..."

He raised one eyebrow and ordered me arrogantly,

"Turn on the warm water."

Did he just ignore my question, or was he trying to think of an answer?

I obeyed and opened the warm water.

"Did you really think I was a whore?"

The moment the warm water touched my feet, my eyes closed and a soft moan slipped from my lips. Comfort spread through my entire body like magic.

I added dreamily, which made him watch me with a blank expression.

"Warm water is a blessing. How can I ever repay you, great Captain?"

He walked toward me slowly, turned the water off, and grabbed my fingers while ignoring the mess I had made in the bathroom.

"That is enough. If you keep standing under warm water like that, you might end up having an accidental orgasm."

All the blood drained from my face at his shameless words.

"You have no shame."

His tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek with quiet arrogance. The gesture tempted me to poke it with my finger.

"What the hell is that?"

He pulled his face away in annoyance, looking as if he might swallow me whole.

"Your hand. For the last time. Next time you will find it lying on the floor in front of you."

I curled my lips in disgust.

"Disgusting."

He acted as if he had not heard me. From the bathroom cabinet he took a pair of soft cotton slippers and placed them in front of me.

I slipped them on.

The silky, damp touch against my skin felt so good that another soft moan escaped me, almost like the beginning of a sexual shiver.

"What can I do if my voice sounds seductive even when I am just being natural?"