Page 7 of Unforeseen Love

The kettle clicks, and I finish making my coffee, taking it with me as I walk into the living room and sit on the sofa. Her scent immediately engulfs me. I pick up a throw pillow, and sure enough, it smells just like Sienna.

It annoys me that I even know what she smells like, but it’s hard to ignore. It’s like a fresh blossom. No matter what the season, I swear the woman smells like spring.

Grunting, I bring my drink to my mouth; the rich aroma assails my senses before taking a sip, the flavour rich and bold. I have to give her credit, she knows her coffee, but I sure as hell won’t be telling her as much.

Moving to my feet, I walk around and take in the decor. Apart from a few added touches here and there, it’s the same as before I moved out. Unable to resist, I push her bedroom door open and roll my eyes at the freshly made bed, of course.

Stepping inside the threshold, my eyes roam over her dressing table and the other furnishings that clearly belong to her.

I’m a little surprised by the pastel colours. I would have expected little Miss Addams to have darker tastes. Who knew?

Walking over, I pick up a photograph on her bedside table. There’s a young girl with two older women, and they’re all smiling, sitting on a picnic blanket. The young girl is her, but it’s her smile that catches my attention, so vibrantly full of life. I never saw her smile in all the time I knew her at Uni. A twinge of something akin to guilt washes over me at the way I used to tease her, but I push it away. I place the photo back where I found it, but can’t help myself as I move a couple of her trinkets and makeup brushes on her dressing table.

As I’m walking out, I spy a couple of books on top of a solid wooden trunk at the end of her bed. Unable to resist, I take a closer peek. What are they? Books on embalming? But they’re not, and I’m surprised by what I find.

“Saucy minx,” I say to myself as I read the blurb, a reverse harem about shapeshifters. I perch on the edge of the trunk and place my coffee down, opening the first page, and before I even realise it, I’ve read an entire chapter. I look for her bookmark, and the evil bastard that I am, I move it to another page before laying it back on the small stack.

ChapterFive

Sienna

My spinning class didn’t quite go as planned. Everyone was worrying over the announcement due from the Prime Minister later tonight, and there’s speculation about what will happen regarding this breakout virus––none of it good, I might add.

I almost forget about my unwanted housemate until I’m back indoors, and he greets me with a smile that says he’s been up to something. Without saying a word, I head straight for my room. I need to shower and change. I swear, the moment I close my door behind me, I get the sense that something is off as I drop my holdall in front of my trunk. My eyes land on my book, which I know for a fact was facing up, not down.

“What the actual fuck?”

I tiptoe over towards my dressing table, which is ridiculous, this is my room, for crying out loud, and sure enough, some of my things have been moved.

All of those happy endorphins I just sweated my arse off to get are gradually dwindling.

Storming out of my room, I find him drinking yet another cup ofmycoffee. I haven’t been gone very long, so I doubt very much he’s been grocery shopping.

“Stay out of my room,” I grit out, clenching my fists at my sides.

He gives me a quizzical look, like he has no idea what I’m talking about, but I know better. This is Theodore fucking Wainwright, the imbecile who loves to make my life miserable.

“Someone’s grumpy,” he muses, which only pisses me off more.

Before I can stop myself, I reach for the cup in his hand, and surprisingly, he lets go.

“Not. Your. Coffee.” I bring the cup to my lips, taking a gulp just to spite him and then spin on my heels, slamming my door once again. I need to stop doing that. It’s not the door’s fault.

I bring the coffee to my lips again and take another sip, a little surprised that he takes his coffee the same way as I do, and then I scrunch up my nose at the fact I’m drinking from the same mug.

Rushing into my bathroom, I slosh the remaining contents down the sink, leaving it on the side. Turning on the shower, I strip and get my hair caught as I try to free myself from my sports bar, and when I finally do, my knuckles smash against the wall from the force. Fucking hell, what kind of elastic do they use for those things?

Stepping under the spray, I try to ignore the swarm of emotions attacking me from all sides and decide to promise myself a ride on my motorbike later. I’m intrigued to see what bike he rides after nearly killing myself tripping over his crash helmet, something he didn’t even apologise for.

I wash my hair with more vigour than necessary, annoyed at how easily that man has a way of knocking me off my equilibrium.

I rough dry my hair before tying it in a low bun and adding a little makeup to help cover the bags under my eyes. It’s not like I slept much last night. Sharing your space with someone out of the blue will do that to you.

Ewan never mentioned him staying here either, which is unlike him, but to be honest, he has more important things to worry about than my living arrangements.

As soon as I step out into the hallway, Theo appears like a damn apparition, and I cover my pounding heart with my hand.

“Can you not do that,” I say, annoyed that my voice comes out squeaky.

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