Eliza snapped back to reality and quickly pushed herself away from Dexter. Her unsteady steps betrayed her, and she stumbled. Suddenly, a large hand grasped her waist, pulling her close to the firm, masculine body.
The shower gel on his skin had a faint mint scent, blended with a hint of tobacco. It was clean, pure, and unmistakably masculine, evoking a sense of security.
"Miss, can I regard this as you being actively intimate with me?" Dexter asked, his tone serious.
Eliza's eyes widened. "What?" She slightly pushed him, but he didn't budge.
"Aren't you the one being actively intimate with me?" she snapped.
Dexter's face broke into a wide smile as he leaned in closer. "If I say yes, are you going to push me again?"
"Yes!" She pushed him once more.
Before she could create distance, Dexter's lips descended upon hers. His ragged breathing mingled with hers as their lips moved in tandem. He traced the velvety smooth skin of her arms, finding her softness irresistible. His breathing grew increasingly erratic as desire coursed through his body.
Eliza's head spun, and her body softened completely under the kiss.
"Eliza..." A voice echoed from the doorway.
Dexter froze, closing his eyes. He gently pulled away from Eliza's lips and laid her down on the bed.
Dexter swiftly put on his shirt and emerged from his room, where he encountered Damon.
"Have you seen Eliza?" Damon asked, describing her: "The one with long black hair."
Damon's detailed description implied he assumed Dexter might not know Eliza, given his usual indifference to women.
"She's in my room," Dexter said.
Damon's eyes widened in surprise, and he took a step forward to check on Eliza. However, Dexter's calm tone halted him.
"She seems drunk. She's already fallen asleep, " Dexter said, his tone low and cautionary, implying that Eliza shouldn't be disturbed.
Damon took a deep breath, then turned and walked away, leaving Eliza in Dexter's room, un-checked.
-------
As the sunlight streamed across Eliza's face, she stirred awake, her head spinning slightly. She sat up in bed, rubbing her temples, and her gaze wandered around the unfamiliar room. Suddenly, the door creaked open, making her jolt.
"Morning!" Damon chimed, his cheerful tone a stark contrast to Eliza's grogginess.
"Morning," Eliza yawned, her voice husky.
"Is this your room?" she asked, confusion etched on her face. "I don't remember anything. Why am I here?" She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet touching the floor as she tried to piece together the events of the previous night.
"You really don't remember anything?" Damon asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
Eliza shook her head. "No... did I trouble you a lot?"
She stood up, smoothing her disheveled hair, and made her way to the mirror.
"No... this isn't my room," Damon announced, his words dropping like a bombshell.
Eliza spun around swiftly, her eyes locking onto Damon's in shock. "This is Dexter's room," he revealed, his expression neutral.
Eliza squeezed her eyes shut, trying to recall the events of the previous night, but her mind remained a complete blank.
"Don't worry," Damon said calmly, attempting to reassure her. "You seemed drunk and fell asleep in Dexter's room. It's not a big deal. Dexter stayed in my room instead."
Damon's tone was soothing, but Eliza's embarrassment lingered. "Clean up, and come have breakfast," he added before turning to leave the room.
Eliza made her way to the dining hall, where she spotted Dexter sitting by the window, his laptop open beside his breakfast. He seemed engrossed in his work.
Just then, Natalie joined her, groggily greeting her with a "Morning!" Eliza smiled sympathetically, noticing Natalie's hungover state.
As Eliza glanced over at Dexter, she hesitated, wondering if she should acknowledge him. Their eyes met, and Dexter's impassive gaze sent an inexplicable shiver down her spine. Eliza quickly looked away, focusing on the soup Damon had served.
"Thanks, Damon," Natalie said, her voice weak. "My head is spinning. I need sleep." Eliza nodded in understanding, recalling her own fuzzy memories from the previous night.
Natalie, sensing Dexter's presence, greeted him with a hint of surprise, "Morning, Uncle Dex. You seem very busy. Are you heading back today?" Her words conveyed a subtle desire for him to leave.
Dexter's presence was unexpected, as he typically avoided such gatherings. Instead, he would simply hand out generous pocket money as a parting gift for their vacation.
"Your grandma asked you to come home today," Dexter said, closing his laptop.
Natalie frowned. "Why? I was planning to stay tonight too. My flight is tomorrow evening, and I'll head home and pack tomorrow morning."
Dexter's expression hinted at disapproval, but before he could respond, Damon chimed in.
"Actually, Natalie, I need to head back today too."
Natalie's face lit up with a solution. "Okay, you can go. I'll stay here with Eliza."
She turned to Eliza, expecting support, but Eliza's tone was awkward. "Natalie, I think it's better if we head back today."
Natalie's face fell, her voice laced with disappointment. "Okay, you can go too."
She attempted to salvage her plans. "Zara and Ketty will stay. I'll have fun with them."
Her tone turned childish, but Dexter's firm voice cut through her pouting.
"Natalie!"
Natalie quickly scrambled to sit beside Dexter, adopting a cute tone. "Uncle Dex, I won't have another vacation for six months. Please let me stay just for today. I promise I won't drink today."