Page 25 of Rhythm Of Redemption

“It’s a long story,” Lou replied, burying her head in the fridge to cool her burning cheeks. She grabbed a bottle of wine she had been saving for a special occasion and headed over to the bungalow, keen to make things right. She knocked on the door, hoping to resolve the situation and clear the air. Serena opened the door, her expression guarded.

“Hey, Serena,” Lou greeted with a warm smile. “I’m really sorry about the mix-up earlier, and I brought this as a small apology.” To say Serena was frosty would be an understatement. “I’m not usually this disorganised.” Lou knew she was babbling, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “And I apologise for the... well, if I had known you were arriving today, I would have made sure the place was ready for you.”

“Didn’t you see the email?” Serena asked coldly.

“Um, no,” Lou replied. “But it’s probably my fault. Things have been pretty crazy around here lately, and I must have missed it.” Lou was pretty diligent about checking her emails since she couldn’t afford to miss out on any potential business, but she didn’t want to mention that to Serena and risk making things worse. Plus, she really didn’t want Casa Bonita to get a bad review. “Anyway, I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with us tonight? It’s nothing fancy—”

“Thank you, but I’m a little tired.”

“Another night, then,” Lou said, and Serena nodded. “What about a tour? Of the property. And I’ve picked out some local attractions for us to visit—”

“Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I really am tired...” Serena trailed off.

“Yeah, sorry, of course. We’ll catch up some other time,” Lou replied. Serena gave a weak smile before closing the door. That went well. Lou hesitated for a moment, contemplating leaving the bottle on the doorstep, but decided to take it back with her. She might have to put up with Serena’s rudeness for a great review, but she wasn’t about to sacrifice her wine as well.

Chapter eleven

Every attempt Lou had made to engage Serena in conversation since her arrival had been met with brusque, curt replies and a swift retreat. Even Mary, with her easy-going, chatty personality, failed to break through Ms Rice's defences. The situation was not looking good, and any hopes Lou had for securing a glowing write-up from Serena were shrinking by the day.

Laden with the weight of an overflowing laundry basket, Lou trudged wearily back to the house, her steps growing sluggish under the sweltering sun. Despite the early hour, the air hung heavy with the promise of scorching heat, wrapping her in a stifling embrace, and causing her shirt to stick uncomfortably to her clammy skin. Droplets of sweat ran down the back of her neck, tracing a path of moisture that offered only fleeting respite from the suffocating heat. A shower called out to her, promising to wash away the stickiness and offer a momentary reprieve from the oppressive humidity. It became her driving force, an irresistible temptation that fuelled her desire to swiftly complete the laundry. With every step, she held onto the image of a refreshing deluge of icy water drenching her from head to toe.

As her eyes swept across the previously immaculate sanctuary of her bathroom, a storm of emotions raged inside her. Annoyance clung to her like an invisible cloak, wearing down her patience with the weight of his utter disregard. It had only been three days since he’d moved in, but it felt more like three years. A cocktail of frustration and disbelief surged through her veins as she surveyed the aftermath of his daily routine—a battleground of chaos and disorder. The once gleaming countertop now bore the marks of careless water splashes and smudges strewn with the neglected grooming products she had generously bought for him. Exhaling wearily, she replaced the toothpaste cap and tossed the foamy razor coated in stubble into the waste bin. He was driving her nuts.

Her eyes fixated on the raised toilet seat, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips. Seriously? Was it too much to ask for him to lower it after use? His disregard for personal space and boundaries gnawed at her patience. Deep down, she yearned for the day when her bathroom would once again be free from the weight of his inconsideration.

Opting for restraint instead of confrontation, she embarked on a silent rebellion against the disarray. With each tidied object and polished surface, she wordlessly conveyed the message that the world didn’t revolve around him and that his actions had consequences, if not for him, then for those around him.

Standing beneath the icy jets, Lou relished the sensation of the frigid water cascading over her heated skin. As the showerhead hummed its steady rhythm, she closed her eyes, immersing herself in the momentary respite, the cares of the day melting away. With each breath, she felt the weariness dissipate, replaced by a renewed sense of energy, leaving her ready to face whatever else the day threw at her.

Lou stepped out of the shower, reaching for a nearby towel. But before she could wrap it around herself, the door swung open, revealing Logan standing in the doorway. She instinctively held the towel tightly against her, her voice laced with annoyance as she yelled, “Get out!”

Startled, Logan swiftly spun around. “I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were in here.”

Lou's annoyance grew. “Well, maybe you should have knocked first?” she shot back, hastily rubbing her damp skin with the towel.

He shrugged, a defensive tone in his voice. “Well, maybe you should have locked the door.”

“It's my bathroom.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “I didn't think I needed to lock it.” How much longer was he staying?

“I've said I was sorry, but how was I supposed to know you were in there?” he replied, keeping his back to her.

Realising she hadn't brought a change of clothes into the bathroom with her, Lou scanned the room for a solution. Panicking, she weighed her options—asking Logan to pass her underwear or mustering the courage to walk out in just the towel. “Couldn't you hear the water running?”

“No,” he gestured to his ear, indicating his AirPods. “I was listening to music.”

Tugging on both ends of the towel, Lou secured it at the front, crossing one edge over the other. With a hint of exasperation, she asked, “Was there something you wanted?”

He wiped the perspiration from his brow, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. “I've just got back from my run, and I'm desperately in need of a shower to cool down.”

Inhaling deeply to steady her nerves, she entered the bedroom, determined to maintain an air of casual indifference. “Looks like you'll need to reschedule your shower until after I’m finished.”

With a sweeping motion, he directed her attention to his bare torso. “Oh, come on,” he pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency. “Look at me. I'm dripping with sweat here.”

Despite her best efforts, her eyes were held captive by the hypnotic display of shimmering droplets tracing an irresistible path along his defined torso. Frustration bubbled beneath the surface, a constant reminder of her struggle to regain control over her wandering gaze and her senses.

In that moment, she stood on the precipice, teetering between indulgence and restraint, her body and mind locked in a fierce battle. She was torn between two opposing forces that tugged at her with equal strength. Her body yearned to close the gap between them, to feel the warmth of his lips against hers, but her inner voice screamed for caution.

Summoning her inner resolve, she resisted the magnetic pull of temptation, taking a step back from its grasp. Emotions clashed within her, a tempestuous whirlwind of longing and self-preservation, leaving her torn but determined.

---