Almost

I realize I haven’t fully recovered yet when a sudden wave of dizziness makes my head spin.

Once I pull myself together, I decide the best thing to do is take a bath with warm, almost cold water, so my body can cool down.

I feel like I’m on fire.

With a towel wrapped around my body, I go through my wardrobe. I’m completely confused about what to wear. After all, what on earth do you wear when you’re on your boss’s property, enjoying everything that belongs to him…

Except him?

Daydreaming, Blair. Pull yourself together.

I keep walking around when I hear three knocks on the door.

My heart feels like it’s going to explode.

Shit.

I really have to get dressed.

I go back toward the bedroom just to ask for a minute, when I notice a note on the floor.

Breakfast is ready. You can come down whenever you’re ready. I’m waiting for you.

A small smile forms on my lips.

I know I should brush it off, but I’ve never been treated this way before.

My previous boyfriends were always much more… self-centered? They’d rather spend time with their friends than with their girlfriend. I thought that was normal for all men; turns out I was wrong.

But this is a man of sin.

Maybe that’s why I like him so much.

I sigh and turn away from the door. Something simple and neutral is best.

I put on some gray lace panties and a matching bra. Despite their delicacy and how much I love them, I still don’t understand what this man has with this type of fabric. At least we share the same taste in that.

Between jeans and black leggings, I choose the second option. I put on a basic light-gray sweater and some knee-high socks.

I’m ready.

No shoes for now.

I fix my hair as best I can.

In the mirror, I keep seeing the marks on my neck and the small scar on my cheek.

My body shudders.

I don’t want to relive what happened.

I want to forget it.

But will I be strong enough to tell the police everything that happened?

What happened?

How did it start?

I push those thoughts aside.

They’re making my anxiety flare up.

I seem ready, so I start heading toward the stairs, taking in the view of the vineyards through the hallway.

My nervousness grows as I walk down the staircase and the room comes into view.

The walls are beige with warm wood tones, while the floors are made of dark varnished wood.

A U-shaped sofa in the same shade as the walls sits facing a huge wall-mounted television.

When I step down the last stair, I find myself in the spacious kitchen.

Dark varnished wood cabinets line the walls, with a large island in the center topped with black marble.

The combination of bright colors complements the view of the vineyards and the horizon perfectly.

I can’t say a word.

It’s so beautiful that, for a moment, I don’t even remember my nervousness.

Or Leonard.

“Do you like what you see?”

I startle and look toward the opposite side of the room.

There’s a rectangular table made of dark wood, set for two.

An assortment of fruits; coffee and juices, bread, butter, jams.

And a delightful man dressed casually in dark jeans and a black sweater.

His arms are crossed as he leans casually against the center chair.

I realize that, after seeing him, my hunger has turned into something else.

“I love it.”

I swallow hard and break eye contact with him, looking out the window.

I hope he didn’t notice that I don’t just love his beautiful home.

“It’s a little paradise you have here.”

“Yes. I come here often to take a break from work. Come eat.”

I head toward the table.

He pulls out my chair like a gentleman.

Suddenly, I feel too self-conscious.

And like a burden.