I parked my car on the drive and looked up at the house before me. 'Wow' I whisper to myself, this is the house? It was quite an upgrade from my run down apartment building. A beautiful modern wooden-style house stood in front of me. Wrapped around it, is a matching wooden porch, my eyes light up even more at the sight of the swing in the corner. My mind already drifted to the many mornings and late warm afternoons I'd spend reading on that swing, specially a spicy romance book. Behind the house stretched the lake in all its glory sparkling as if it were home to a billion diamonds.
I could already picture myself living here. Finally tearing my eyes away I spot a raptor truck tucked by the rather large garage. Must be Simon's, I knew this because a truck was his profile picture on WhatsApp, typical man and their trucks. I take a deep breath in, I have to make a good impression I need him to like me.
I walk to the door, my fingers curled in a fist I was nervous wreck already. Everything in my life seems to always fall apart and I needed a break. I ring the bell and I step back glaring at the thick wooden door. What was a couple of minutes felt like eternity, I couldn't take it any longer I look around the window like a peeping tom, I couldn't stop fidgeting. Another minute went by doesn't seem like anyone was home, I impatiently press the bell again, I was early maybe he wasn't in yet. What if he is in on the toilet or in the shower wondering why I am abusing this doorbell so much?
Simon
"You're early" I say loudly, she had already pressed my bell twice. Her impatience and fidgeting stopped her from hearing my footsteps behind her but to be fair I was silent, so silent that my squad called me ghost, my enemies never knew when I was coming until it was too late. She was fidgeting like a child who didn't know what to do with herself. I can tell my deep voice scared the living shit out of her. Quickly turning around with her hand on her heaving chest, her breathing fast, eyes wide she looked up at me like a little mouse caught in a trap.
Her sanpaku eyes filled with fear. A smirk pulled at my lips, the look she gave me satisfied me. For a second there I got lost in her beautiful brown eyes. Her hair was raven black in a bun with a few curls trickling down her face and sides. Full lips parted as she tried to catch her breath and somehow force words out, My face remained unfazed, my eyes traveling down her caramel skin.
She was wearing shorts, cowboy boots, and a white t-shirt. No bra - brave girl. My eyes catch a glimpse of her perky nipples. I could feel a growl in my gut before the smell of her perfume hit me. She smelled like coconut and vanilla, although we stood far apart I could smell the sweet coconut scent on her. She was about 20 minutes early, I had hopes to quickly shower before she came, I was covered in grease from doing work on my boat's engine in the garage. She had the bad luck of catching me in a filthy oversized top and worker pants. I knew I looked rough.
"Sorry you scared me. Yes I'm early, I'm sorry," she says steading her breathing her eyes carried on scanning my face, finally stopping at the long white scar on my neck, her pretty little eyes widen in horror as to ask how did you get that? But she didn't ask, she swallowed her eyes back on mine. I could tell she was nervous, I noticed her delicate little fingers fiddling with her car keys.
"That's fine, come in," I say sternly, she follows behind me like a little puppy. I could feel her eyes all over me.
"When do you need the room?" I say grabbing a towel I had left out on a nearby chair to wipe my hands.
"By the end of the month," she says looking around.
"Good, I'll have the room ready by then" I reply
"That's it?" she furrows her brows at me
"What else is there?" I replied, what was she expecting? I got the info I needed from Jack. From what he told me she was a decent girl just had been dealt a hard hand.
"I thought you were going to vet me to see if I'm not crazy or a lunatic" she chuckles nervously. I almost cracked a smile at her words. She was about 5'4, 60-70kg, there was no way the sweet girl before was a psycho. Not that women cannot be psycho too, but her, no. Little did she know she stood in front of a dangerous man, a killer.
"No, I heard everything I needed to hear from Jack" I said seriously . "Besides sweet girls aren't lunatics" I finish softly. Her cheeks flushed and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth. She was shy, but was it around any guy or just me? She intertwined her fingers together.
"I'll give you a tour," I say changing the subject quickly as I watched how nervous she got.
"This is the living room" I wave around the room we're standing in" The kitchen is through the door on the left"
"Your house is beautiful" she smiles looking around the kitchen
"Thank you, I like a tidy place. When you move in you'll be expected to do your share of the chores"
"Yes of course" she gives me a tight smile. "When it comes to food, you can take care of yourself and I'll do the same, I don't mind you using my stuff but if you finish something you'll have to replace it" She nods
"I expect payment on the last day of every month, my room and my study are completely off limits, I have some friends over every other week for drinks and fishing by the lake. We'll try and stay out of your way" she nods again, intently listening to all my rules as if she was making mental notes.
"Down the hallway" I walk towards what's to be her bedroom and open the door
"This is your room" Her room only had a wooden bed, a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers in it. Under the bed was a large grey fluffy rug and a large picture of the forest hung over her bed. I was decorating to use it as a guest bedroom. Rather my fried Lucy was helping me decorate this room.
"It really looks nice" She walks into the room and looks around. I could see the happiness in her eyes, she couldn't hide the smile pulling at her lips.
"I'll put a nightstand in here for you and empty my things from the wardrobe by the time you move in" I say matter-of-factly.
"My room is after the bathroom on the right, I have an ensuite, I won't be using the bathroom so that's all yours, I only ask you keep it clean"
"I will I promise" She shoots me a comforting smile. I continue as we walk back to the living room " I don't mind you bringing your boyfriend here or dates but please respect my house I do not want a string of men in and out" I turn to find her cheeks had flushed a beautiful shade of red, her eyes wide and she swallows " erm, no I... I don't have a boyfriend and I'm not that type of girl" she clears her throat "I'm not the dating men type, I mean I like men but …" she waffles she was embarrassed. "it's … I don't date a lot" she says. Hmmm, it was hard to believe I would expect men to be at her feet often, she seemed unaware of her own beauty.
"Well if you decide to please… well you know. A heads up would be appreciated" I finish.
"I usually go on fishing trips during the weekend or stay out on the lake so I won't be around" "Got it" she nods. We walked around the house for another 15 minutes as I showed her the things she needed to know about and gave her information about living with me then discussed Rent. We agreed on $699 each month but once she starts work it'll go up by another $100.
"Thank you for the tour I'll see you in two weeks" she gave me a warm smile before driving off. I hope this isn't a mistake for years I've enjoyed my peace living here alone, but Jack coerced me into it. A while back we were on the lake fishing, we had a bet about a certain fish he won and his ask was for me to allow her to live here. I didn't need the money but this girl seemed important to him, he insisted that he had no feelings for her and just wanted to help. I mean now seeing her I would understand if he did like her or even in love with her, she came across as fragile, small and beautiful. But according to Jack she's just a friend and he wants to help her.
Anna
I left Simon's place happy, I was excited to live there, my first impression of Simon was that he was big, scary. He was a blunt and straight-to-the-point kind of person. He towered one me and looked at me with such cold eyes, beautiful cold green eyes. His brows were always serious, his full lips in a straight line. While I was following behind him, I managed to catch little glimpses of his arm tattoos. An eagle, trees and angels. It was a beautiful work of art but what really caught my eye were the veins. Like they were about to pop at any minute, he seems like he works out a lot, Jack did say he was retired military.
The two weeks practically flew by and my search for a job was going shit. Jack managed to get me a waitress job at the bar, although it isn't my first choice for a career I was still grateful to have a job, and at least I'll be able to pay Simon for my room.
Parking my car outside, I take in the view. I had almost forgotten how beautiful this view was. I couldn't believe my luck. I am completely mesmerised by trees dancing in the warm wind, the sun shining down on the lake so peacefully, I am going to like it here. 'KNOCK.KNOCK'
I'm brought back from my thoughts by Simon knocking on my window, I open the door and get out. I also almost forgot how much he towered over me.
"Everything okay?" he furrows his brows, probably curious as to why am just sitting here staring out.
"Yeah, why?"
'You seem far away"
"Oh yeah, was just staring at the view, it really is beautiful here." I smile at him
'Okay no problem, I'll help you with your things" he says bluntly
"Oh, I don't have a lot of things. It's fine " I say declining his help, I really didn't have much with me. I open the boot and there was everything I owned. One box and two suitcases.
"That's it ?" he itches his head, I knew it would be expected that a woman would have a lot of things but with moving around I just never kept a lot.
" Yes, I don't really own much" I press my lips together. He looked at me intently blinking a few times as if he was trying to figure out something. Most of the big items I owned like wardrobe, bed the new couch I had bought months ago I had to sell. So I was left with only one box and two suitcases.
'Okay I'll pop it all in your room' he grabs everything at once, and my eyes widen at the sight of his muscles tensing while he carries it all inside. I just know if Emma was here she would be loving it. I couldn't deny it was a little hard to tear my eyes away. 'He's your landlord' I hum to myself. He's off-limits.
I spent the day putting away my clothes and rearranging the room. There's a knock on the door,
"Come in," I say
"You settled in alright" Simon leans against the doorway
"Yes thank you..." I smile " Simon... I just wanted to say that I am very grateful for all this" I give him my warmest smile.
"Don't mention it, I'm glad you're settling in alright" he pushes himself off and leaves, he is slightly cold I was starting to realise what Jack meant when he said Simon was old-fashioned and quiet. I mean although he was good looking, muscular he just didn't seem like your genuine player or ladies' man.
I'm hungry, and suddenly realize that I have spent the whole day in here I forgot to buy food. I make my way to the kitchen, maybe I can bother Simon with take away menu, if he has them that is. I stumble into the kitchen, it smells delicious. So delicious, that my tummy decided it needed to compliment the chef. As my belly growls Simon turns his attention from stirring whatever he is cooking to me.
"Sorry,… have you got any menu… take away menu" His eyes on mine "I haven't done my food shop yet" I carry on
"You can eat with me tonight if you'd like" he turns to face the pot on the stove.
"No no, I don't want to bother you"
"It's fine. I have enough for two"
"Are you sure? because.." I reply shyly I didn't want to bother the man his rules were clear you cook for yourself his not here to take care of me
"yes" he answers curtly, his lips pressed and face serious as if to say 'I said yes didn't I' To avoid getting on his damn nerves, even more, I nod "ok thank you" he grabs a bowl and carefully places spaghetti and mince over. It honestly smells delicious, wow a man that can cook, he sprinkles parmesan on it "more?" he asks holding the parmesan
"No no that's plenty, thank you" he hands me the bowl our fingers lightly touching.
We sat at the table not saying a word, he had the newspaper folded in two reading the politics section and I was on my phone looking at reels, we really are opposites. After we finished eating I thanked him again before going to my room. It's my first day here I hope he'll warm up to me.
"The party is here " Emma laughs as she walks in "Emma ! my landlord is still here" I say shortly. Jack stood behind her , a large smile plastered on his face, in his hands yellow flowers. I kiss him on the cheeks. Emma came over to see my new digs, but knowing Emma she'll be the reason I get kicked out already.
"Wow, it looks great, I mean the view I'm kinda jealous" She's looking around being nosy, my eyes catch the large man emerging from the kitchen. "Simon", my voice hitches. "Simon this is my friend. Emma, and you know Jack already" "Nice to meet you Emma" "It's nice to meet you" he shakes her hand she bites her lip, giving him her sexy smile.
"You good bro", Jack shakes his hand "how have you been", they chit-chat about their recent fishing trip while Emma is shooting me looking her eyes full with glee and excitement. He was handsome no denying that and I know once in my room she was going to tell me that I need to make the moves on him. Typical Emma.
Simon finishes with Jack, I cut in before she had the chance to embarrass me further.
"We're just going to chill in my room," I say nervously, I didn't want to be in his way. "It's fine I'm going out anyway I won't be in your way. I'll catch up with you later Jack" as jack and Emma move to the living room Simon catches my hand, a shiver travelled through me, up my arm and down my spine.
"Anna, this is your home now, you don't need to avoid me. Treat it as your home, I just ask you to respect it" his voice was low and sexy. "Yes, thank you" - I reply softly
"Have fun he winks at me" then shuts the door.
"where are the wine glasses?" I hear Emma in the kitchen.