HER GUTS 4

DIEGO SALVATORE

I sat by the poolside, a tumbler of whiskey in hand, and my gaze fixed on the rippling water.

I thought of how Donovan acted with that servant girl, and wondered if staying back for her sake was worth it. I've killed some people in my life, assholes who messed up with me, but I decided to stay so my so called father wouldn't harm a good for nothing girl. Someone I didn't even know about.

I wouldn't lie, I felt a stink when Donovan struck her. I mean, she's a girl, a woman for christ's sake and he shouldn't have hurt her, including the bruises she had on her face and body. Who was this girl Donovan had under him, and why was I against the idea of she being involved in his dirty games.

I gulped down a mouth full of whiskey, I was over thinking things. Donovan and I had separate lives and if there's something we promised each other, it's to not interfere in the other person's arrangement.

I pulled out a cigarette, and lighted it up. Just as I smoked it peacefully, the sound of a door opening broke my reverie.

I glanced up to see the girl of earlier whom Olivia had told me was Taylor by name, approaching cautiously. She hesitated at the edge of the pool, her presence a stark contrast to the luxurious setting.

I wondered what she was doing here, I had lifted her after Donovan attacked and carried her to Olivia's room for a rest. She was supposed to wake by morning, but here she was.

"Hello, Diego," Taylor greeted softly, her voice soft. "Thank you for what you did earlier. You saved my life."

I couldn't believe this, what made her think she could talk to me. I looked away, not giving her a single reply. My gaze lingered on the amber liquid in my glass and I took a sip of the whiskey, the burn of the alcohol offering a temporary distraction from the awkwardness of the moment.

Taylor didn't seem to get the message because she shifted nervously, attempting to engage me in a conversation.

"It's a beautiful evening," she ventured, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

I merely nodded in acknowledgment, my mind preoccupied with thoughts that were far from her unexpected presence and this godforsaken house.

"You're older than Olivia, right?" She continued, trying to not sound impulsive but hello, could someone tell aunty burnett that she was being extra impulsive and it was starting to get on my nerves.

Suddenly, she stepped forward, attempting to bridge the gap between us with small talk. "Why aren't you answering me?"

I looked at her, that was the first time I've had a close look at her. She looked innocent, the innocence that irritates the shit out of me. Her lips were rosebud in pink and her eyes which were staring at me were big, intrusively blue that'd probably rival the blue Sea’s depths and the sky’s hollowness during an eclipse.

I looked away, she wasn't my type and she needed to stop looking at me with those eyes if she didn't want to be fucked.

"Diego?" She called.

I inhaled deeply, shutting my eyes for a moment. It's going to take massive control and self-discipline to remain calm in her provoking presence.

"Diego-"

"Listen to me!" I snapped and she startled, taking a step backwards.

"Taylor or whatever your name is, you're just another face in this mansion, someone whose presence isn't cared about or considered. Forget what I did earlier because you'll only be filling your head with imaginations, we're never going to be close as you're a servant girl whose existence is inconsequential in the grand scheme of my world."

She blinked twice, her expression turning to that of disappoinment, I didn't know what she expected anyways.

"I.. I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Keep it to yourself, you need it more than I do."

She faked a smile and moved away from me. I stuck the cigar into my lips, smoking and inhaling the content all thanks to her annoying presence.

Suddenly, the serene moment shattered with a splash.

I looked up sharply to see Taylor slipping and falling into the pool.

I remained seated, watching her struggle in the pool. Did she think I was stupid enough to fall for her tricks, she was just a joker, a bad one at that. What a foolish attempt to gain my attention.

I watched her submerge and waited for her to run out of breath and show her annoying face to me again. I took a sip of my whiskey, watching the water suddenly turning quiet and calm.

Time was passing by and Taylor was still under water, should I be worried? No. But was I? Yes. I waited longer and Taylor wasn't resurfacing.

"Shit!" panic gripped me.

Without anymore hesitation, I tossed the cigar aside, set my glass down and dived into the water. It enveloped me in its cool embrace as I swam towards Taylor's quiet form. Was she dead? I didn't save her earlier for her to come and die on me, Donovan would now have something to hold me for. I reached her and grabbed her hand, pulling her close to myself and swimming to the surface driven by an urgency I hadn't felt before.

I emerged and kept her on dry ground. "Taylor," I called softly, gently slapping her cheek but there was no motion.

"Shit," I cursed and leaned close, placing my ear so that I could hear her breathing.

She coughed heavily and I helped her seat up, patting her back gently.

She kept coughing and gasping for air, but at a point, her eyes turned wide with relief and a hint of amusement.

"I... I thought you'd let me drown," she managed between breaths, a shaky laugh escaping her lips. "I guess I finally got your attention."

I stared at her in utter confusion, so she actually did trick me, but how was she able to hold her breath for so long. I stood to my feet and headed back for my whiskey.

"Hey," she stood up and followed.

I took off my soaked polo and sat down, taking out another cigar.

"Can I have one?" She asked and I looked up at her, was she serious. "Please," she added.

"No!"

"Why?"

"Leave, now," I lighted the cigar.

"Please-"

"I said no!" I snapped. However, she was unmoved.

Suddenly, she reached out and snatched the cigar from my lips putting it into her mouth but suddenly choked. I took it back from her and put it into my mouth. "It's not for kids."

"I'm not a kid," she countered.

"Obviously."

"I'm not."

I wasn't having it, I stood to my feet when she suddenly pushed me back down but lost her balance in the process. She fell on me, her lips meeting mine in a brief kiss.

Her eyes widened as she hurriedly stood back up. "I'm sorry," she apologized and immediately the words came out, she ran off, leaving me struggling with my dick.

I couldn't understand how a little gesture could turn me on when I've fucked lots women without feeling anything. Who the hell was she to get me by just a kiss, was it even a kiss.

I suppressed my inner demon which was already calling on me to fuck her. Taylor Mackenzie, you'd better watch your back.