Page 57 of No Control
“Lydia,” Henry’s voice turns sharp as he whips open the bathroom door. His eyes rake over my naked body as I strip off the T-shirt. I don’t even know why I put it back on in the first place, but whatever.
“Can you not stare at me?” I snap at him as I grab for a towel.
“No,” he shoots back, stopping my hand before it reaches the soft, gray material. “You’re going to tell me why you’re suddenly pissed off at me.”
I raise my brows. “What even makes you think I’m pissed off? I just want to shower.” I turn my back to him and step in under the water, ignoring the sharp sigh that leaves his lips.
“I know I can be rough,” his voice cuts through the glass door, groveling in his tone. I can see his figure leaning against the wall just outside, and I hope his view in is as hazy as my view out. “You can always stop me.”
“It’s not about that.” I shake my head out of frustration as I reach for the shampoo. “I just don’t believe you.”
“Believe me?”
“I don’t think you were just at work last night,” I finally admit, feeling stupid for even caring. I’ve only been here a couple of days, and I’m getting wrapped up in emotions like a lovesick teenager—but Henry brings it out of me. When he doesn’t respond, I keep going. “If you work in tech, why would you be gone all night long? Is it customer service? And why is Jude so weird about telling me anything?”
The shower door rips open, and Henry’s face is stone cold. “I was working last night.”
I swallow hard, gathering my courage. I never challenged Mason, and now, I know that was a huge mistake. “What kind of work were you doing then? Because there’s not that many types of tech businesses that stay open all night—”
“You’re really going to keep questioning me?” His tone shifts to threatening as the shampoo finishes rinsing from my hair. He steps into the shower, and I suddenly recall the fear I felt the first day I met him. “What do you think I was doing last night, Lydia? Fucking someone else?”
My mouth gapes because I’d never admit it—but maybe I was worried about that. “I…I don’t…”
Henry crowds me, pinning my body against the wall. He grabs my chin, forcing my eyes to his but keeping the grip light. “I will never fuck someone else. Think what you want about me, but I belong to you—whether you want me or not.”
My chest heaves as he drops his hand from my face. His words are overwhelming. Is he really falling for me this fast? Isn't this bad? His gaze drifts from mine and Henry turns, exiting the shower and shutting the door. I stare after him, the warm water suddenly feeling cold on my skin. I shiver, shutting it off and stepping out. I wrap a towel around my body, hugging myself.
No one has ever belonged to me, and I’m not sure if I should be excited or freaking terrified.
***
I don’t see Henry the rest of the day. I spend it working on the plot, attempting to hash something out as my mind churns with confusion. I’ve always been a people pleaser, and I know that if it were to get out that I’m sleeping with Henry—a client and borderline stranger—everyone would think I was crazy…
Or a slut.
I cringe at the word, memories coming back to mind. There’s a reason I had to move away from my hometown— even by just an hour. I hadn’t even done anything, but mean girls do mean girl things. And even my own parents thought I slept around.
But unbeknownst to them, I’ve only ever been with Mason—and now Henry. Mason never got my body to react in the same way Henry does, though…
He didn’t choke me, either.
For some reason that thought makes me laugh, and I set my pen down on the desk. I push back from it, my eyes casting over the story I’ve plotted out. Something about it feels off…I’ve followed Henry’s thoughts and ideas, but still. It just seems like it’s missing the mark.
I rub my eyes and decide to leave it for a while. I’m sore from this morning, but don’t let it show as I leave my room, scanning the house for signs of Duke. He’s wanted outside constantly since the fence has gone up and I don’t blame him. It’s warm and sunny, the opposite of what it’s like back at home right now.
The house is eerily silent, and it gives me even more of an urge to get out and take Duke for a walk. I grab the harness and leash, slip out the door, and search for Duke. He hears me, and comes running from the far-right corner, his tail wagging.
“Let’s go, boy.” I give him the sit command with my hand and fasten the harness to his wriggling body. He walks politely beside me as we make our way to the gate on the far end of the yard. “What a strange day.”
I breathe in the salty air and let the sun warm my skin as my bare feet smoosh the sand between my toes. I head to the water, but don’t wade in, only letting it wash the sand away temporarily. Then, I peer down the beach, which appears to be mostly empty aside from some umbrellas and beachgoers in lounge chairs beneath them.
“Be a good dog,” I warn Duke as we head off down the shoreline. I pull my phone from my denim shorts pocket, frustrated that I still haven’t heard from Emma.
What the hell?
I scroll to her contact and pull up her name, hitting the call button and putting it to my ear. She was supposed to be here already. It rings three times, and then goes to voicemail. Frustrated, I hang up and try again.
“Hey,” Emma answers on the second ring.
