Shelby had made it home. Instead of heading to a drive-thru as she’d planned, she decided to make a quick grocery run. After her bizarre day, she ‘d decided to pamper herself and have a DIY spa night. She bought fruit, cheese and crackers and decided to have a peaceful night alone. As she headed to her front door, she thought that she saw shadows but she couldn’t be sure and no one approached her. The front light was on and the neighbors all seemed to be in their homes.
The neighborhood was pretty quiet. In fact, Shelby had chosen it for that reason. It was one of those neighborhoods that was really gorgeous in the 1950’s and was a haven for jazz and artistic greats but had gone down a bit over the decades. About the turn of the century investors began to restore many of the old mansions and larger than life houses and before they knew it, stores, restaurants and other venues began to establish themselves in the neighborhood as well. The Tudor mansion Shelby lived in was small by most folks’ standards but was perfect for her. Just over 2,000 square feet and nestled between trees on three sides and a small lake behind it.
As a child, she dreamed of living in this house but she never actually thought that it would become a reality. When she was younger her father used to take them on drives. They hop in the car and just get lost, exploring the neighborhood and then other neighborhoods as he became more and more familiar with the area. He had a sense of adventure and his excitement always fostered a good mood in the car. On their first trip to the neighborhood, they happened to see this gem when he made a wrong turn down a dead in street. There were signs in the front of the house that said it was being sold, Shelby was so excited! She decided that day to buy the house. She had her plan, finish school start saving. The area had a lot of historic homes and if the rumors be true, one of her favorite jazz trumpet musicians had lived in that house from 1964-about 1980.
Tudor mansions, she loved everything about them. On subsequent trips, she took pictures of the front of the house, of the landscaping. She looked through public records and learned as much as she could about the property. When she came home from college on seasonal breaks, she would visit the house. Even after grad school, she stopped by and then one day, she saw it; a for sale sign near the front door. This property was too beautiful to have a gaudy sign posted on their lawn, instead there was a small tasteful sign on the right side of the black gold tipped gates that lead up the driveway to the home. Shelby stopped her car and took a picture of the realtors contact information. She made two calls within the next ten minutes. The first call was to the realtor scheduling a walk-through of the property and the second call was to her friend Evelyn. Evelyn grew up with her and was also a lawyer. If Evelyn couldn’t represent her in the sale of the house, she would know who could. They got to work. Multiple stars aligned, Shelby had the substantial down payment that was being requested because she had been planning to live in that house for the past twenty year or so it seemed, because she knew so much about the property and the land it was on she also had it declared historic and that garnered her much respect of the family of the former owner, her jazz musician’s granddaughter!! Additionally, she had enough money remaining in her nest egg to make some necessary updates.
Those updates included a security system, restoring the kitchen, master bedroom and specifically the ensuite bathroom. For the most part, Shelby was a simple girl however she was passionate about a luxury bathroom. This bathroom was large, she actually repurposed a small bedroom, the former linen closet and bathroom to create her oasis. The floor had to be reinforced to support the tub that she had added to the room. She had simply shelving build around the back of the tub and a few nooks for her pillows, speakers and books.
Tonight, was definitely a night for a bath.
Shelby quickly put away the food that she didn’t need and washed her hands. She then grabbed a tray and began setting up a cheese and crackers. Next, she washed fruit and began laying out grapes, banana, pear and a small apple after she sliced them. She probably shouldn’t but she decided to get some white chocolate ready, so that she could warm it and dip her apples in it while she relaxed in the tub.
Shelby ran upstairs and got out her comfy jumper – she loved a jumper and selected a pink one, a warm grey sweater and grey socks to put on after her bath. She’d recently gotten some new boy shorts and a few bras so she would be putting on some new lingerie after the bath too.
But first, she had to exercise. Shelby did her best to spend at least 20 minutes a day on the treadmill. That didn’t work for everyone but that was how she relieved her stress. When she missed a workout her back, shoulders and neck would physically hurt so badly she could get headaches. After a few migraines and therapy sessions she learned that she internalizes her stress and was doing harm to herself by keeping her feelings inside. So, nights like tonight called for time on the treadmill. She’d unwind and then make herself a bath. Shelby quickly changed into her workout attire, sneakers and grabbed her e-reader. She picked up a bottle water and sat on the steps leading to her basement and laced up her sneakers. After 45 minutes on her treadmill, she was hungry and ready for her bath!
She washed her hands and grabbed a new bottle of water then headed up to her room for bath time. Shelby gathered her e-reader, speaker, phone, snacks, all of the things that she would need in that room so that she could settle in there for the next hour or two. In addition to heated marble floors, she’d added a towel warmer. Shelby placed her towel on the towel warmer and set the timer. She then got to work on setting up her bath. Tonight. she wanted to use rose petal soaps and a few other treats she recently acquired from one of the specialty stores in the mall. She invested in bath products and makeup, shoes, books, she really like her alone time. Ten minutes later the bath pillow was securely fastened, her clothes waiting, towel warmer set, music was on and her e-reader was in her hand. HEAVEN!!
Shelby sunk into her tub. It had three stairs and she lowered herself into the tub and sat on the small ledge. She wasn’t ready to be fully submerged and wanted to catch up on the latest book series she was reading. She was on book four and was invested in these guys at this rate. After a few pages, her phone beeped at her. It was on the counter of the sink and there was no urgency to answer it so she stayed in the bath and kept reading. About thirty minutes later, it started vibrating – she realized that she had not placed the ringer back on and she was getting a call. Ma and Samantha were fine, she’d just seen them and she knew that Tina and Evelyn were at the spa so all was good there too. She scooted back and kept reading.
After a bit, the water was starting to have a little chill so she heated it up with the touch of a button. Once it hit the temperature she liked, there was a soft ping and she kept reading a bit more. As soon as she finished this chapter, she would wash up and then get out of the tub. Yes, that was the plan! Shelby washed up and then laid back to enjoy soaking some more. There was a nice fresh layer of bubbles and soap since she had just added more to make sure that she was nice and crinkly before getting out. Just as she closed her eyes and released a breath, her bathroom door swung open!
“What the F Shelby?”
Shelby scrambled to the side of the tub, opened her eyes and her mouth at the same time looking around the room. She really was wondering whether or not she was in an alternate universe. Daxton had just walked into her home, into her oasis and was demanding, what? She wasn’t even sure what he wanted, she saw his mouth moving but couldn’t hear him over the air rushing through her ears and her pounding heart.
“How the HELL did you get in here. Why didn’t her alarm go off?” Jesus Christ.
“You know who I am, Babe, I have your security code, I used it and walked in.”
Shelby was honestly in shock. “You did what? How the hell?” That company is fired. “Get the hell out Daxton. You must have lost your mind.”
“Shelby, calm down. Let’s talk.” He stood in the bathroom and then looked for a small ottoman to sit on.
“Talk!!!”, she squeaked. Shelby was probably crimson and maybe even a bit purple. With her complexion, you could not typically see a blush but she was certain that her fury could be felt. There was no way though, that she was getting out of the tub with this idiot in the room.
“Get out of my bathroom now Daxton. In fact, get out of my house!”
“Wait, Shelby listen to me.”
“No, you listen to me.” She met his eyes with a new-found strength and profound anger. “Get out!” This time, she whispered the words to him. Daxton could probably handle her rage but quiet, unpredictable Shelby was not to be toyed with.
“Fine, I’ll be on the other side of this door. Get dressed. If you are not out in 10, I’ll be back in here to help.” The sides of his lips went up into a smirk and her traitorous body reacted, nipples tightening, moisture gathering between her thighs.
“Get out Dax!”
He turned around and walked out of her bathroom. She heard what sounded like him sliding down by the door just on the other side.
Shelby reached over for her towel, stood and then screamed into her towel. WTF, why was it so hard to have a moment to herself. Before these bizarre few days, she was invisible, even to Tyrone who was supposed to be her boyfriend. Now she had strange men breaking into her home and questioning her over god knows what.
Typically, she would clean her bathroom before getting dressed but she didn’t want to risk Daxton walking in her naked form as she cleaned the tub; so she decided to get dressed and to deal with clean up later. That annoyed her because it was always so much harder later; so, Shelby did not rush, he would wait as long as it took, with his ten-minute ultimatum.
She took out her scented oils and body lotion and went through her usual routine in an attempt to calm her muscles. The tension had come back into her shoulders when he entered her bathroom. She put on her new lingerie, sticking her tongue out to the door pleased with herself because Daxton wouldn’t get to see it. Next, she put on her jumper and then a cropped hooded sweater and her socks.
Just as Shelby went to make sure that the towel warmer was off Daxton let himself back into the bathroom. Shelby looked up at him, he was still in his suit and looked like he’d be in the office all day. Even though he owned the tattoo shop, he had a few other businesses and she’d learned that he was a practicing attorney. He looked amazing in his dark blue suit, his skin was clear and the suit was clearly crafted from quality material and made just for him by the way it clung to his body. His eyes sparkled as he looked down at her. Shelby expected him to stop moving but he continued walking to her until he was directly in front of her.
“Babe, are you okay?”
What was with this guy and all of the drama. “Okay? What are you talking about?”
Shelby moved around him and grabbed her snacks that she would now be eating downstairs. There was no way she would get all comfy in her bed with him near her. She quickly moved down the stairs and almost dropped the tray when she saw six men on her first floor.
She turned to look behind her and as smoothly as ever, Daxton was walking down the steps. Shelby took a really deep breath, closed her eyes and tried to imagine blowing each one of them out of the front door as she slowly inhaled, paused, then exhaled and paused.
Daxton, stood beside her, and gently took the tray from her. He looked at the men in the room, then said, “Gentlemen, have you secured the house?”
“Yes sir”, one said, there were a few other nods.
“Thank you, wait for me outside. Daniel, can you please wait in the kitchen.” He said addressing one man in particular.
“Yes, sir” Daniel replied. In any other circumstance, Shelby would be thinking just how perfect Daniel appeared to be for Evelyn. He looked like he was former military, he was a tall red bone with bright skin that held a slight tan; they would look dreamy together.
Her matchmaking session ended when Daxton placed his hand on her back and gently nudged her towards the couch.
Shelby had a huge dark leather couch that she loved. Anticipating that this conversation would be a doozy, she scooted over to the corner and crossed her legs in front of her.
Daxton said near her but didn’t crowd her. He reached for her hand but her facial reaction made him pause and he laid his hand on his lap.
“Babe, I was really worried about you today.”
Shelby scrunched up her face, then rolled her eyes?
“I’m sorry but what are you talking about Daxton, worried about me, how do you know about my day and why, no… how did you get in here, why are you here and then you brought other people into my home. Into my private space. This is such a violation.”
Daxton saw the tears in her eyes but Shelby refused to cry, she would not let him see her tears. They were tears of anger but he didn’t know her well enough to know the difference. “You have to leave Daxton, please don’t return.”
“Umm”, Daxton said. She was stumped by this non-elegant response. She’d never seen him stumped before. He always had some ridiculous come back. “So, I can’t do that, he shrugged his shoulders, “I won’t”
“Excuse me, you won’t?”
“No. Babe I won’t. I told you that I would protect you and then I get a call that Xavier’s crew was by your moms place vandalizing cars. Further, I learn that someone matching his description actually put his hands on you. I don’t hear this from you though, but from someone else.”
“He did not put his hands on me.” She sighed
“Really babe, because the story I got was that he stroked your cheek and actually kissed you.”
“WTF are you talking about? He kissed my cheek; whoever it was I couldn’t really see his entire face but whatever. What does this have to do with you. Why are you here? Normal people pick up the phone and call a friend to check on them, they don’t break into their homes. Oh wait, we are NOT FRIENDS!!! So, why are you here?”
“You are damn right about one thing. We are not friends, we are much more. I know that this may be an adjustment for you, but I was pretty clear with you the last time we saw one another. You are mine and so I don’t ask, I protect what is mine.”
Oh my gosh, Shelby shook her head. “Get out Daxton!”
“No!”
“Yes!”
“No!”
“This is really stupid. Do whatever you want. I am changing all of my locks and upgrading my security tomorrow.” She reached around him and grabbed her tray.
“I am starving, I need to eat. See ya around”
“About that”, this guy could not be ruffled at all. “I need you to come home.”
“I am home, remember” she answered around a banana slice.
“My home, I met with Xavier about his disrespect and he may send guys over here tonight.”
“You, what?”
“Yes, well, he is under the impression that he may be better able to get and keep your attention that I am. Skilled negotiator that I am, I persuaded him otherwise.” Shelby smirked.
“What is so funny Shelby?” She looked over at him and kept chewing her apple slice. After swallowing she replied, “what is so funny is that either of you think that I am remotely interested in this nonsense. You may be sex on a stick but I have a life and this drama is not worth it.”
He slid closer to Shelby and bit the other half of the apple that was between her lips. Her breath hitched and she tried hard not to choke but it was too late. She’d gasped when his lips touched hers and a piece of the apple headed right to the back of her throat. Her eyes watered and she coughed and coughed until her airway was cleared. Shelby snatched the water bottle he handed her and took a few gulps. They were less than lady-like but she didn’t care at that point. Survival and her securing her next breath were paramount.
“Shelby, listen babe, I can’t leave you here; just in case Xavier or his men stop by”.
“Well, unfortunately for you Daxton, she said with a hoarse voice, “you lost my trust when you broke into my home, so I am not going anywhere with you.”
“No worries.” He smoothly stood and she heard him in the kitchen speaking with Daniel. There was a soft knock on the door that he answered and he was presented with a small overnight and garment bag
What are you doing?
Settling in, looks like I am spending the night with my girl.
Shelby grabbed her food tray, went to her room looking the door behind her.
What should Shelby do?
Olivia Paon Author 