Chased by My Possessive Ex (Dylan) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

DYLAN

a

94

The clean scent of soap and the faint trace of a man’s aftershave stirred me from my sleep. I feel like I’m still in dreamland, and I don’t want to wake up yet.

I turned my head and buried my face into the pillow. That’s when I noticed how soft it was, like resting on clouds. Nothing like the lumpy, dusty pillow I used to have in my parents‘ old apartment. This one felt expensive, clean, and fresh. Almost too good to be real.

That’s when it hit me. I must be dreaming.

This kind of comfort doesn’t happen in my world anymore. The last time I remember sleeping on something this soft was when I was still married to Beckett, before everything fell apart. It was strange how something as simple as a pillow could stir up old memories.

But there was something else, a scent I didn’t recognize that was hidden in the sheets. A rich, masculine fragrance that smelled expensive and elegant, yet somehow wild and mysterious. It wrapped around me like a secret. The scent felt familiar, yet at the same time, a mystery.

My eyes fluttered as I opened it. I jolted in panic when I was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling. Memories of what happened last night flash right before my eyes. Chills run down my spine when I remember how those disgusting men looked at me.

But then… I remembered him.

The man from the elevator.

I can still remember how his presence silenced even the loudest threats. The fear in those thugs‘ eyes when he appeared–it was like they’d seen a ghost.

Who the hell is this man? How did he know where I live?

I thought the surprise ended when I woke up in a stranger’s bed. But my eyes almost bulge out when I notice I am wearing nothing but a white long–sleeved shirt.

Where is my underwear? I screamed at my head.

I glanced around the room now, slowly taking in the details. He probably brought me here when I lost consciousness last night. But why does he need to take off my clothes?

D–Did we sleep together?

I immediately wrapped my arms around my body in my faint attempt to protect myself.

His place felt like a secret–quiet and hidden. It was a bachelor pad, sure, but not the messy, party kind. This one was dark, calm, and strong… just like him.

The walls were painted in dark colors–deep gray and navy blue–that made the space feel cozy, almost like a cave. Big windows lined one wall, but thick curtains covered them halfway, letting in just enough light to cast

10.26 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 17

shadows on the smooth floor. The furniture was modern and clean, but it didn’t feel cold. A low leather couch sat in the center, dark brown like coffee, facing a glass coffee table. On it sat one fancy glass and an unopened

bottle of scotch

The air smelled warm and manly–sandalwood with something deeper underneath. It filled the room like a quiet warning. There were no family pictures or anything personal, just a few black–and–white artworks on

the wall.

Still, something about the room pulled me in. The shadows felt like they were keeping me safe or maybe hiding something I wasn’t sure.

My heart was racing, but not because I was scared. It was something else. Something I didn’t understand.

Then I heard a door open. I turned quickly toward the sound.

And there he was.

He stepped out of the bathroom wearing only a white towel around his waist. Water still clung to his skin. sliding slowly down his toned abs as he dried his hair.

I forgot how to breathe. My throat went dry, and my eyes couldn’t look away.

“Done ogling me?” he asked, but when I saw the devilish smirk playing on his lips, I knew he was teasing me.

“W–Who are you? What have you done to me?”

“I have done nothing to you. Dylan,” he said, mentioning my name. I was surprised when I realized that he knows who I am. But what surprised me more is what he said next, “Yet.” It sounds like a promise more than a threat. What’s worse, I’m already looking forward to it

How he addressed me sends shock to my core. How did he know my name? He was looking right through me as if he knew every part of me. I tried to shake off that familiar feeling out of my system.

I cleared my throat. “If you’ve done nothing to me, then why am I wearing your clothes and nothing underneath?” I confronted him as I kept my distance away from him while he waltzed around the room comfortably, as if he were used to having another woman in his room.

I shouldn’t be surprised if he indeed used to have women in his bed. He’s gorgeous, and any woman in this city will die just to sleep with him.

“Including you?” said the tiny voice inside my head. I quickly shake off the idea

I tensed up with every move he made. It felt like if I got any closer, I’d completely lose control–like all the sense and logic I had would just disappear. I couldn’t explain it, but something about him shook me to my core. Just being near him made my heart race in a way even Beckett never could. He stirred something deep inside me–something wild and dangerous and completely impossible to ignore.

I watched him as if he poured the bottle of old scotch into the glass. He turned to me and looked at me intently as he lifted his glass to his mouth. I watched him as his throat moved as he drank that glass of liquor.

“I don’t like sharing a bed with someone who hasn’t taken a shower,” he briefly explained as he continued to

94

Chapter 17

drink from his glass. “Don’t worry, it was my maid who bathed you and undressed you. Your clothes are in the dryer.” He pointed at the corner of the room near the kitchen where his washing machine was located. “Besides…” he continued as he took a step forward.

My breath hitched as I took a step back with every step he made until my back touched the wall. I was holding my breath when he was finally standing in front of me, only inches away from each other.

I gulped as he leaned closer until our eyes leveled, “…I’m no necromancer. I like my woman hot and bothered,” he uttered, his hot, minty breath with the scent of his old scotch was fanning against my face. The mixed scent of his fresh breath and the liquor sets my body on fire and awakens something inside me that I never knew existed.

I let out a sigh of relief once he finally put some distance between us. I cleared my throat and shook my head to clear my mind. “Thank you for your help. I truly appreciate it. But I need to go home,” I said before heading towards where my clothes were.

I found my clothes on top of the dryer, clean and folded.

“Go home where?” I stopped my track when I heard him speak again. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to that place.”

I forced a smile and turned around to face him. “I’ll crash at my friend’s place. Thanks again for your help,” I said before rushing towards the bathroom.

I let out a sigh of relief upon securing myself inside the bathroom. I couldn’t help but notice how big his bathroom was.

The bathroom looked like something out of a luxury magazine. Everything was clean and modern, with smooth, shiny surfaces that seemed to sparkle under the soft lights. The walls were made of dark stone, cool and polished, giving the space a calm, quiet feel. A huge mirror stretched across the sink area, framed with warm lighting that made the whole place glow gently.

The sink itself sat on a thick marble countertop, and the faucet looked sleek and silver. There were fluffy white towels neatly rolled on a shelf, and a soft, expensive–looking bathrobe hung on the back of the door.

To the side, there was a glass shower big enough for two, with rainfall–style shower heads and little shelves holding fancy bottles of soap and shampoo.

The tub looks inviting. It’s been so long since I had a nice warm bath. My earlier decision to leave as soon as possible quickly shifted upon seeing that sleek bathtub. Swallowing my embarrassment, I mustered the courage to ask for his permission to use his bathroom.

I peeked my head outside the door and looked for him. I immediately saw him in the kitchen as he made himself a coffee. He was already wearing pants, but he remained topless.

I cleared my throat, and I instantly caught his attention. “Would you mind if I used your bathroom? I would really like to get a shower right now.”

“You can have it for as long as you want,” he replied.

I frowned as his response confused me. What does he mean by that?

10:26 Thu, Dec 25

Chapter 17

Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling, I forced a smile on my face and thanked him before locking the door. Sometimes, his words confuse me. He was acting and talking to me as if he knew me.

I walked towards the bathtub and turned the knob slowly, listening to the sound of water filling the big bathtub. Steam started rising, warming up the room and wrapping around me like a soft blanket, Just the sound of it made my nerves settle a little.

As I waited for the tub to fill, I began unbuttoning my shirt. My fingers paused halfway, and I couldn’t help. but lift the fabric to my nose.

His scent was still here.

I closed my eyes for a moment and just let myself breathe it in. It was silly, I know. But for a second, it felt like he was right there behind me again. And somehow, that was enough to make my skin tingle. His presence alone was more than enough to ignite the fire of passion and desire within me.

I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. I couldn’t let myself get carried away. The man outside the bathroom was practically a stranger. I shouldn’t meddle with people like him. Based on what happened last night, he is bad news.

I slipped the shirt off my shoulders and folded it gently before setting it aside. I didn’t want to crush the warmth that still clung to it.

The tub was nearly full now, and the water looked warm and comforting, like it was waiting just for me. I carefully started to step in.

But I didn’t think about how slippery it might be.

The moment my foot touched the bottom of the tub, I lost my balance. My foot slid, and I fell with a loud splash, letting out a panicked scream as I hit the water.

But before I could even pull myself together, the bathroom door flew open with a loud bang. In a blink, he was already kneeling beside the tub, his hands gently helping me up.

Our eyes locked–and in his stormy gray gaze, I saw desire burning like a wildfire.

“You’re going to be the death of me, little bunny,” he murmured, his eyes slowly tracing every inch of my bare skin, like he was memorizing me with every glance.

*********

10:26 Thu, Dec 25