The ride in the elevator was marked by silence.
Melody was acutely aware of the man behind her, his presence daunting.
Internally, she cursed herself for putting herself in this position. Was she truly inviting trouble? Trusting him felt impossible, yet they were bound together for reasons that could not be ignored.
Her mind flickered to his kiss—those lips on hers, his intense gaze, and the heat of his touch.
He was a dangerous man.
To him, it might have been insignificant, but it was anything but that for her; it was her first kiss, and it mattered.
She needed to keep her distance while this situation unfolded. She wouldn't allow it to happen again. He was merely her bodyguard now, an errand boy at best, nothing more.
Maverick, on the other hand, couldn't tear his gaze from her small frame. He recognized the decision she made this night was after a lot of internal struggle. She was commendable, he didn't believe she would actually agree to his outrageous demands.
Despite what she believed, he was there for genuine reasons—to get to know her—and it was unfortunate that their circumstances were what they were.
If he had been a decent man, he would have approached her differently—with flowers, perhaps—and asked her out on a date. But she would never accept such a proposal if she knew his true intentions. What rational woman would allow herself to fall for a man like him?
A tyrant, a gangster.
He was unwanted.
His thoughts trailed back to their kiss, to the sensation of her soft lips and her startled expression. She might not realize it, but that was the only kiss he had ever felt throughout his entire being
He couldn't shake the feeling that there was far more to her than what was visible, and he was determined to uncover that mystery.
She had no reason to fear him; he was there to protect her, not to bring harm.
The notion that she had consumed his thoughts with her boldness and intriguing personality was undeniable—not to mention how stunning she looked. He had never experienced attraction like this before. She was captivating.
When the elevator doors parted, he waited for her to step out before following closely behind. The environment around them was quiet, likely a sign that everyone else had already succumbed to sleep.
He tailed her until they reached the entrance, and she used her card to open the door.
With her hand poised on the handle, she turned to him. "What's your name, by the way?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh, I think someone called you Ryder. Do I call you Ryder too?"
A faint twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement, but he remained composed. "Just call me Maverick," he replied coolly.
Melody tilted her head as she opened the door and stepped inside, with Maverick following closely and the door shutting behind them.
"Melody Brown," she introduced herself formally. He nodded in acknowledgment. She noticed he remained standing, which spoke volumes about his manners—at least he didn't act like he owned the place.
"Don't make yourself too comfortable in my house," she ordered him tersely.
Maverick suppressed a smile. He followed her gesture. "Except that couch—you're not allowed to sit anywhere else," she added firmly.
"Yes, ma'am," Maverick responded with a slight bow, and Melody rolled her eyes, relishing the feeling of authority she had never experienced before. Was this what her manager felt like at work when giving orders? The feeling was exhilarating.
He moved to the chair, taking his seat and leaning back. His eyes scanned the modest room, noting her middle-class lifestyle—no extravagant items, just a cool, decent, and humble home. The furniture and appliances reflected a sense of simplicity. When his gaze landed on Melody, he found her staring back at him curiously, prompting him to look away.
"Hope he's not checking out what to steal," a thought raced through Melody's mind, and she inhaled deeply. She had to make an effort to trust him.
She walked towards the table to grab her medication, then headed to the dining area, a small space featuring a table and two chairs, keeping her distance from him.
After taking her medication, she checked the time. It was eleven p.m. Damn it.
"I'll be back," she said curtly, and Maverick nodded again. Seizing the opportunity, she retreated to her room, exhaling a sigh once the door closed behind her. This was trouble. She scanned her wardrobe, her eyes darting between the sheets, reminding herself that she didn't have to do this. Yet, she picked out an off-white furry sheet and a pillow, determined to maintain her boundaries.
When she returned to the living room, she tossed the pillow and sheet at him. "You don't expect me to invite you in. Sleep here."
"I wouldn't refuse if you invite me in," Maverick teased lightly.
Melody shot him a fierce glare, her irritation palpable.
She found herself regretting her decision; perhaps she should have made him endure the discomfort of sleeping on the living room couch, deprived of both blanket and pillow.
"Thank you," he remarked, his eyes flickering to her still form as he reached for the sheet and pillow, the warmth of his thanks clashing with her simmering annoyance.
Melody spun on her heels. "Goodnight then," she added curtly, her tone icy as she turned her back on him.
But before she could escape to her room, his voice called out, breaking the tension in the air. "I need water," he said.
Melody paused, glancing over her shoulder in confusion. Need water for what?
She bit her lips. She was turning too cold, she mused inwardly.
She should have offered him water when they walked in but didn't. Looks like she was the one with bad manners. And also he was human and it was normal for him to need water. She face-palmed herself inwardly.
"Get it yourself from the fridge," she replied, not allowing her hesitation to show, before striding away.
Once she retreated into her room, the heavy door swung shut behind her with a firm thud, sealing off any lingering thoughts of him.
He better not vanish tomorrow along with everything else in her house, she thought, an uneasy flutter churning in her stomach as she settled into the comforting shadows of her space.