Raw Wounds

Ashley?” He said while tying his robe. His dark brown hair was wet and some of the strands were falling over his forehead, making him look sexier somehow. The man never stopped looking delectable even while coming out of the shower.

She shook her head to get rid of these thoughts. Wasn’t he at the party? She wondered. What is he doing here? She should have knocked before getting in.

He arched his brow in anticipation of an answer but Ashley seemed to be too lost in her daze.

“Are you alright?” He questioned in a concerned tone while approaching her slowly. He halted an inch away from her. It was his close proximity that broke her away from her trance. She blinked a few times to collect herself and recall why she was here.

Umm...actually...my..my husband…..I was looking for him,” On instinct, she took a few steps away from him. The man evidently didn’t like her answer as a frown settled on his face.

“In my room?” he took a step towards her, determined to close the distance between them. His eyes bore in hers looking for answers.

“I...I didn't know...this... this was your room. I ...I...am sorry for barging in like this,” she apologized while moving backward. The man was scaring the wit out of her, even though he hadn’t done anything yet. The staring contest with him was sending shivers down her spine but she refused to back down. She knew men like him feed off people’s fear. However, her ordeal was brought to an end when his eyes dropped down towards her hand. She lapped up the opportunity. Without wasting another second she spun around and prepared to leave but faltered in mid-step when a hand grabbed her arm.

Her already racing heart was now banging against her ribcage. Anger shot through her body. She was all set to greet him with a slap when his voice tore through the air.

“What has happened with your hand?” His unexpected question had her whirl around and notice him examining the back of his hand where her husband had gifted her another scar a couple of days ago.

She was surprised by his reaction. He looked concerned as he turned her hand to check if there were other scars. Why he was so worried about her wounds was beyond her. What surprised her, even more, was his tone that made it clear that he wasn’t asking but demanding. He was demanding an answer out of her.

She tried to pull her hand out of his grip but that only earned a glare from him. The wound was still unhealed. She winced when he brushed his finger on the wound. Her discomfort didn’t go unnoticed by him.

He began dragging her towards his bedroom without saying a word. “Mr….what are you doing. I have to go. Please leave my hand,” she called out to him. But her pleadings clearly fell on deaf ears as the man didn’t falter but continued dashing towards his bedroom. She tried to draw her hand in but the man was too strong to her liking. “Let me go...Are you deaf?’ she ran out of her patience. His eccentric behavior had started to make her anxious.

After successfully dragging her into his bedroom, he ordered her to sit in his bed before going to the bathroom. However, Ashley thought it better to take a break for the door. She spun the knob frantically but it didn’t open. Her breath began to come out in short pants.

What was he going to do with her? Was she going to punish her for barging in her suit? But she already apologized for that.

Daniel came out of the bathroom with a first-aid box in his hand. He wasn’t surprised at seeing her standing before the door. That was the most expected thing. He gave her a gentle smile and said “ The door gets locked automatically and opens only with my voice.” After that, he motioned her to sit in the bed.

Having no option in hand, she decided to follow his word. She sank in the bed beside Daniel who was fiddling with the first-aid box. He held out his palm and eyed her hand that had the burn. The penny dropped. He wanted to tend to her wound. Instead of handing him her hand, she kept looking at her suspiciously.

Daniel leaned forward to grab her hand and once he had it in a place he began rubbing ointment on her burn. She winced at his touch. Her pain wasn’t lost on him as he tried to be as gentle as possible. He had never done this to anyone. He had never tended to anyone’s wound before. His blood never boiled this much on seeing someone in pain. But seeing this girl whom he had met a few hours ago, oddly enough, evoked a strange urge inside him. An urge to take care of her.

He turned his gaze back on her when she whimpered in pain while he was rubbing the ointment. Her eyes were studying him with confusion. This was the first time he had her this close. Without any rush. Without any people around. All to himself. He couldn’t help but drink in her innocence. Bask in the warmth of her breath. Her blue orbs were challenging him to look away. She, like a temptress, was reeling him under her spell. At that moment, staring at her like a creep came naturally to him.

She too had her eyes fixed on him trying to decipher his true self. However, their trance broke when Ashley yelped in pain. “It hurts,” she whined. Daniel began dressing her wound and whispered in a caring tone “I know.” His words were doing weird things to her. On instinct, Ash clenched her thighs together.

He held her hand moments longer than necessary after dressing her wound. He was caressing her knuckles with his thumb. It felt as if he didn't want to let go of her. She tried to pull her hand away, he let go.

“Thank you,” that is all she could manage to stay before pacing towards the door.

“You didn’t tell me how you got this burn?” he called out from behind. “Please, open the door” she whirled around.

“First, answer my question,” he began pacing towards her. There was no expression on his face. His hands clasped behind his back.

“I accidentally burnt my hand while ironing clothes,” she gave in. Ashley knew he wasn’t going to let her go without getting an answer. Daniel kept inching towards her not caring about her growing nervousness. Her breath caught in her throat when she noticed him coming towards her. This is true she was sitting with him too close for her comfort in his bed a few moments ago but his predatory walk towards her scared stiff. The man stopped an inch away from her and picked a remote from the table. He pressed a button causing the door to open.

Ashley scurried out of the room, the second door opened.

He smiled. A hearty smile.

“Ashley!” Daniel tested her name.

Ashley stopped only when she found herself surrounded by people. She was breathing heavily and so to calm her nerves, she headed towards the bar. She gulped down a glass of water to drench her parched throat. She desperately wanted to go back to her house.

After a few minutes, she finally tracked Michael climbing downstairs. His hair was tousled and a few buttons of his shirt were open. He was straightening his crinkled suit. Her heart sank when she saw a woman following him. They were together.

"We are leaving" Michael grabbed Ashley's arm and headed out. She breathed a foreign feminine scent on him. He was with someone else. Again.

She let him drag her out as she wept silently, cursing her fate.