You need to cool down

I have been hiding in my room for two days since...since I don't really know what Javier did to me. The vicious wound on my wrist has healed, but a light silver scar remains, in the shape of a half circle. It almost looks like a crescent moon. I have been fighting a fever, and I thought about going to the hospital, but I can't explain that the only thing left of the bite from two days ago is this scar. So, I have been writhing in discomfort on my bed and hoping for this to pass.

I can't sleep, and I can't eat. But more than that - I feel angry. Angry with Javier and what he did to me.

We broke up, but that hasn't stopped him from circling my house for the past 48 hours. I haven't seen him, but I can smell him - and I don't know how that is possible. But his smell is driving me insane and is making me even angrier.

A wave of heat passes through me and I arch my back with the sensation. As I start to cool down again, my door is opened with so much force that it hits the wall with a loud thud. I look to the doorway and I see Javier panting as he watches me.

"Get out!" I shout and grit my teeth with annoyance. I am clenching my teeth so hard, its a wonder they don't break.

"No," he drawls, letting his eyes rake over me.

I level him with a look of indignation. I don't know what his problem is, but seeing him here makes me want to rip his head off. Rage like I have never known before is boiling under my skin.

It looks like he is going to take a step closer, but I don't think I will be able to control myself if he does. "Don't," I shout while raising my hand in a motion to stop him.

Apparently my face doesn't convey my murderous thoughts clearly enough, because he starts to walk closer anyway. When he is just out of reach he stops suddenly, and I see fingers wrapped around his throat from behind. Javier is lifted off the ground and moved to the side, so now I am able to see that someone else has joined in on my misery. My gaze follows the fingers up a well-muscled arm, a defined shoulder and to a face pulled straight from my deepest fantasies. He has a sharp jawline with a short scruff from his beard, vivid blue and yellow eyes and dark brown wavy hair that is swept to the side. He isn't saying anything, but I feel my anger quickly swept away as I stare in his unfathomably deep eyes.

I suddenly realize I have a really hot, yet kind of scary stranger in my room, while I am covered in sweat and wearing nothing but a tank top and pajama shorts.

"Three's a party" I sneer at him in my attempt to make him uncomfortable enough to leave. I'm certainly uncomfortable, so it's only fair.

He shrugs, unconcerned with my unease. "You don't look like you'd be much fun right now, love". He says with a twitch of a grin on his lips.

My face blushes with his insinuation, and I try to quickly get a hold of my thoughts.

His nostrils flare and a whine comes from Javier next to him. As if he just remembered Javier was there, he strengthens his hold on Javier's throat and lets out a deep growl.

I can feel the vibrations from his growl, and it stirs something in me I can't put a name to.

"She is not yours," the stranger says in a low voice to Javier. He is not even looking in my direction, but his words wrap around me and send a low hum through my lower body. I press my thighs together at the sensation, and a moan is pulled from my throat.

What is going on?

Javier's head snaps in my direction and the man's back straightens in tension. He uses his hold on Javier's neck to throw him across the room and I hear a crash as he goes flying through my window, but I don't look at anything but the stranger. I can't look away from him.

He walks forward and reaches to pull a vial from his pocket. The liquid looks clear, but when he opens the cap I can smell basil, ginger and sandalwood. He reaches down and places a hand behind my head to pull me into a sitting position. Crouched on his knees next to me on the floor, he hands me the vial.

"Drink." He says.

I should be wary of a drink from a stranger, but I trust him. That realization gives me pause and I continue to stare at him for a few more moments to force myself not to trust a stranger just because he makes you want to drop your panties.

When he sees that I am not going to drink it, he sighs. "It will help with the fever you are experiencing" he explains.

I nod, and close my eyes as I quickly swallow the medicine.

While I am distracted, he shifts so that his other arm reaches under my legs. He abruptly stands up and starts to walk to the bathroom with me in his arms. "You need to cool down while the tonic is taking effect" he states vaguely.

I assumed he was going to do something normal, like get a cold towel for my forehead, but when he walks into the bathroom towards the shower, I start to panic and struggle in his arms.

He tightens his grip on me and bends down to place me in the tub. I try to stand up, but he uses one arm and pushes me back down.

"What are you doing?" I yell as I keep fighting him off me.

"I already said you need to get your temperature down," he grumbles in response while pinning me down with his right arm and using his other to turn on the shower. Freezing water splatters my skin and I cry out in alarm.

We keep struggling for a few moments, then he huffs in irritation. "Fine!" he shouts, standing up and pulling me with him. He still has not released me, and rather than letting me out of the cold water, he steps into the shower with me.

"What are you doing?" I ask him again.

"Since you won't cooperate, I will force you." he says bitterly, smiling a little less friendly.

"W-what?" I ask as I step back away from where he is entering the shower. He reaches the shower and his front is doused in water, and I can't help but notice the way his shirt clings to his hard stomach.

I gulp as he prowls closer.

"I can smell that, you know," he purrs in a low voice that tantalizes my senses.

My eyebrows draw down and I shake my head in confusion.

"Your arousal", he declares while moving closer.

My face is now flaming red in embarrassment, and I reach for the sliding shower door to run for the exit. I panic and try to slide the door to the side so I can get out, but it won't budge. I look back at the stranger, and he is holding the glass so I can't move it to get free.

"Ah!" I yell in frustration. He is still close to me, much too close for my liking. I try to push him back, but my hand slips on the water running down his front and the forward momentum of my body has me falling into his chest. I try to push him away again, but he grabs my wrists and spins me around. He presses his chest into my back and pushes me against the wall. He still has a grip on my wrists and uses it to keep my hands on the wall. The water is pouring all over us and I squirm against him to try and get him to release me, but he is too strong.

He is in control , and I can't do anything about it.