Page 19 of Dark Reasons

It's fine. Just sprint across to your dresser, it's barely a five foot distance.

Except it isn't fine. The only way Jamison won't see me is if I'm invisible. I'm stuck with only one option.

Bracing myself, I open the door, scanning for Jamison.

He's standingrightin front of me.

The dark-eyed man takes me in for a half second before turning around. "You could have warned me," he snarls, like I've pissed him off.

"Sorry," I mumble, not knowing what I'm even sorry for. He's in my home—he should be the one apologizing. Hurrying to my dresser I yank the top drawer open, spilling every set of bra and panties I own over my faux wood floor. My face burns up as I crouch, holding my towel in place while trying to gather everything. "Ugh, crap," I moan.

Jamison straightens up but he doesn't look back at what's happening. I'm relieved he's being polite—that's a first. Blindly snatching some undergarments, then a blue shirt and a pair of black shorts, I dart back to the bathroom, slipping on the wet floor and smacking my elbow on the sink.

"Fuck!" I shout.

There are footsteps—Jamison is approaching. Before he gets a close look at my frazzled self, I slam the bathroom door shut. I'm panting heavily, out of sorts over what should have been a very normal moment. I've taken hundreds of showers in this place, gotten changed freely, without issue.

You've never had a guy in your home before.

Running my hand over my face I stare at the ceiling, looking for some advice. The cryptic swirls of paint stare back at me. Shoving my legs violently into the white panties and high-waist shorts, I hook the bra and wrestle the shirt over my chest. My mirror shows a clean, well-dressed version of me. If my skin wasn't a canvas of rouge, you'd never know I was humiliated.

I don't know how long I stay in my bathroom, but when I come back out, Jamison is gone.

Chapter Seven

Selena

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"Iknow, I know." Shiftingmy phone to my other ear, holding it with my shoulder, I set a bowl on my table. "I'll come by as soon as I can. Wait until tomorrow, please?"

"Tomorrow? I'm not sure—"

"It's already so late," I say quickly.

"That doesn't matter, I'm here now."

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