Page 43 of My Turkish Fling
I blinked. “I don’t have designer underwear.”
Emir cleared his throat. “I mean, you have a laundry hamper in there.” He pointed at the now nearly empty walk-in wardrobe.
My nose wrinkled. “You think someone took my dirty underwear?” I was so disgusted by the possibility I couldn’t even look him in the eye.
“Just check, please,” he pleaded, still pointing at the open doorway.
He turned away as I pulled piece by piece out of the hamper. At a glance, it didn’t seem like anything was missing. I thought back to what I’d been wearing lately. The yellow lace! I’d worn a yellow bra and a pair of lacy yellow panties to feel sexier for the filming earlier today. The bra was here, but where were the panties? I dumped the contents on the floor and put them back one by one. No. The yellow lace panties were gone.
I paused for a moment, trying to remember where I’d undressed when getting ready for the date. Maybe that pair was lying under the bed or somewhere in the bathroom. If I told Emir about it, he’d flip out. The man was already on edge. I didn’t want to see him any more agitated, or protective.
“All accounted for,” I reported, stepping back into the bedroom.
“Okay. I’ll check all the locks for signs of tampering. Do you have a flashlight I can borrow?”
I rummaged through the hallway closet and found the giant one Shaun had bought, complaining about the lack of outdoor lighting. It was heavy enough to knock someone out, which was probably a good thing right now. “Here you go.”
Emir flipped the thing in his hands like it weighed nothing, and my stomach flipped. I’d never realized how phallic an object it was. The same lighting power could likely have been achieved without the size and weight, but I could imagine men choosing this product over anything pocket sized every time.
He held the flashlight at an upward angle, examining it. “You’re wondering if mine’s bigger, right?”
I burst out in nervous laughter. I’d never heard him talk like this. “Emir. Are you trying to lighten the mood?”
His slight half-smile had an embarrassed edge. “Is it working?”
I took the flashlight from him, measuring it in my hands. It’d be an impressive size. Too long for comfort, but nice and thick. I stifled another giggle, grateful for the momentary break from the terror I’d been feeling. “Thank you. Now I’ll never be able to touch this thing without thinking about your… you know.”
“I was willing to take that risk.”
“And you’re not going to answer the question, are you?”
He shook his head. “My only intention was to make you smile.”
I smiled, relishing in the way his features softened and mouth twitched in response. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was still a miracle. In that moment, I felt deeply grateful for him, even his protectiveness. If I’d been home alone… I didn’t even want to imagine how terrifying all of this could have been. It could havebeen me, walking into my own bedroom and finding the door open and someone behind the window. Someone who may or may not have stolen my used underwear. I shuddered.
“Are you okay?” Emir touched my shoulder.
I nodded, overcome by a full-body shiver I suspected he could detect with his fingers. “I’m fine.”
I’ll be back soon.” Emir flipped the switch, casting a beam of light on the wall. Every other light inside was already on as I’d been desperately trying to chase away the shadows of the night. I’d told Shaun I preferred moody, atmospheric lighting and being able to see the moon and the stars. Now, I wanted industrial strength spotlights out on my yard and all the way down my driveway.
As Emir left to investigate the locks, I returned to the bedroom, desperate to rule out the possibility of someone stealing my panties. I searched under the bed, every corner of the bathroom and everywhere else I could think of. When I was certain they weren’t in the bedroom, I jogged through the house to check the laundry, going through my pile of sheets.
The yellow underwear was gone.
What did this mean? Had someone broken into my house to steal a pair of used underwear? The thought turned my stomach so much I didn’t even want to explore it any further. It made no sense. Maybe I’d put them in the wash, and they’d been swallowed by the same black hole that ate single socks? I hadn’t run the washer, but maybe the black hole was getting stronger and able to suck in objects without water or mechanical rotation. I shook my head at the crazy thoughts. I’d never been burgled before andfelt shaken to my core.
I returned to the living room and made us tea. I’d only picked on my dinner and was currently living off the slice of pizza I’d stolen from Emir’s plate, most of which had been left there, uneaten. He must have been starving. I made us ham sandwiches and microwaved apple pies I found in the fridge. I needed something cozy and sweet.
When Emir came back from outside, I had the table set for two, the lighting turned down to my usual evening vibe and a candle flickering in the middle. It looked so homely and inviting, yet I couldn’t shake the sense of dread.
“This looks nice,” he said.
“I figured you might still be hungry. I am.”
I poured him a cup of well-brewed tea and chose the seat next to him so that we were occupying the corner of the huge dining table. It must have looked odd, but I didn’t care. I needed him close, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to digest anything.
“Thank you. I haven’t eaten anything in hours,” he confessed, tackling the sandwich with gusto.
