LOST
1331 Words
MIA'S POV
I could not sleep the whole night.
How could I, in a house that did not feel like mine? Ryan Hayes’s mansion felt like a five-star hotel. Too grand. Too quiet. I sighed and sat up on the couch I had claimed the night before. My eyes scanned the luxurious living area. Marble floors gleamed under soft morning light. Expensive art hung on the walls. The entire place made me feel small and out of place.
“Ouch. I need to pee,” I muttered, standing up quickly.
I did not want to wake Ryan or ask for help. “I will find it myself.”
I climbed the wide staircase, heart pounding. My grip tightened on the railing. At the top, a long hallway stretched before me with too many doors. Lights glowed softly even though the sun had risen. The house was eerily silent.
My eyes caught a large framed photograph of Ryan in his hockey jersey, holding a golden trophy, a white ribbon tied around his messy dark hair. He looked confident. Victorious. Handsome.
“God, you are cute,” I whispered before I could stop myself. I shook my head hard. “No. No. He is a player. Nothing more.”
I moved quickly past the photo. So many rooms. How was I supposed to guess which one had the bathroom? I pressed a hand to my forehead as yesterday’s headache returned.
Then I remembered a silly song my mother taught me as a child. I started singing it quietly, pointing at each door like a child playing a game. “And yes, there it is.”
I rushed to the door at the end and pushed it open. Relief flooded me. I stepped inside without looking around properly and headed straight for the smaller door I assumed led to the toilet.
I stopped dead.
Ryan Hayes stood under the shower, completely naked. Water streamed down his broad back and over his athletic legs. His dark hair was slicked back. He faced the wall, one hand running through his hair.
My breath caught. Heat rushed through my body. He looked powerful. Breathtaking. For a moment I could not move.
“Holy s**t, Mia?” Ryan gasped, turning around.
Our eyes locked. I let out a small squeak and spun away, nearly tripping as I fled the bathroom. My heart hammered wildly. What had I done?
“I am so sorry. I was looking for the bathroom...”
“And you thought you would find it in my master bedroom?” His deep morning voice stopped me.
I turned slowly. Ryan stood in the doorway, a white towel wrapped low around his waist. Water dripped from his hair onto his shoulders. He looked like he had stepped out of a dream. Sharp jaw. Intense green eyes. Flawless skin.
Now I wished the ground would open and swallow me alive. To my shock, I no longer had the urge to pee.
“I-I…” My words failed completely.
“You what, Mia?” Ryan stepped closer, stopping just a breath away from me. His massive hand rested on the door above my head, caging me in without touching. His hazel eyes had a reddish tint, warm and amused. I knew exactly why, but I refused to admit it.
“Y-you should not do that. You are overstepping!” I blurted out, my face burning with embarrassment. He was so close I could smell his fresh, clean scent mixed with shower gel. My heart raced wildly.
Ryan broke into a thick, playful laugh. He removed his hand from the door and took a step back, giving me space. “Says the girl who barged into my bathroom while I was naked and bathing.” He stretched the word “naked” on purpose, his grin widening.
I felt like crying from pure mortification. “I-I am sorry… I…”
“Do not tell me you were looking for the bathroom,” he teased, stepping closer again with that mischievous spark in his eyes. Then he did something I did not expect.
Ryan Hayes raised his hand and gently tucked a stray strand of hair away from my face. His fingers brushed my cheek lightly.
I closed my eyes, my breathing coming in shaky tremors. Oh my God. This was not the plan. He should not be this close to me. My body felt like it was on fire. I was reacting to someone I should not want. He was a playboy. Logan’s greatest rival.
“I could sense you have been staring for quite some time,” Ryan continued, his voice low and teasing. It made me bite my lower lip.
“Besides, I gave you a room yesterday, but you insisted on sleeping on the couch.”
That was true. He had tried to convince me, but I had refused. And now look at me.
“Okay, you can go help yourself now.” He moved back and pointed at the bathroom door, still smiling.
“No, I-I am okay now,” I whispered. My voice came out weak and breathless.
“Do not be stubborn, Mia. You will destroy your kidneys. Do you want that?”
His words hit me hard. I remembered my mother. Not only was she fighting cervical cancer, but she also had kidney issues. The reminder snapped me out of my daze.
I quickly rushed past him and into his bathroom, my heart racing, skin covered in goosebumps. I closed the door shut behind me. Behind it, I could hear Ryan laughing softly, but he did not come closer.
I helped myself as fast as possible, not daring to look around his luxurious bathroom. I made sure to be as quiet as possible so he would not hear anything. “Those lips,” I murmured to myself without thinking. To my shock, my pee stopped for a second.
What was wrong with me?
I shook my head so hard my neck almost hurt. “Ryan Hayes is a playboy. He is a heartbreaker. He sleeps with hookers. He is egocentric and prideful.” I repeated the words like a mantra until I calmed down and finished.
I quickly stood up, flushed the toilet, and kept my eyes fixed on the door, half expecting him to burst in. He did not.
“Can I come out?” I shouted, not wanting to see him naked again.
“Of course.” He laughed first.
I opened the door carefully. There in front of me stood Ryan Hayes in a sharp navy blue suit with a crisp white shirt underneath. His hair was perfectly combed back. His sharp hazel eyes stared back at me. He looked like he had stepped out of a movie. Devastatingly handsome.
He looked…
I blinked like a fool, completely lost for words.
Ryan’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “You need to prepare. We are getting late.”
His words pulled me back to reality. I shook my head quickly. Dammit. He was just like any other man. Nothing special.
“I have already ordered breakfast for you. You just need to go to your room and get ready,” he continued, as if walking in on him naked was completely normal.
“I-I… okay.” Why was it so hard to speak around this man? I scolded myself silently and closed my eyes for a second.
This was business. Nothing else. I was here for my mother’s treatment. Nothing more.
“Mia, you are still standing there,” Ryan said, amusement clear in his voice.
I opened my eyes, embarrassed again. “Sorry. I need to go.”
I rushed out of the room as fast as I could. Behind me, I heard him chuckle. “The butler will show you to your room.”
My heart was still pounding fast as I hurried down the hallway. This arrangement was going to be much harder than I thought.
- Writer
