004:To Learn

"So what exactly is it you want me to listen too?" We'd arrived at the motel half an hour ago and not a single word had been exchanged on either end however on the ride over I'd learnt a few things by observing the man in the silence around us:

This guy is 100% not one of Grey's men.

He's one vodka away from alcohol poisoning.

He's definitely picked up hookers before.

He wasn't from around here.

He's new to the area.

He's mostly harmless.

And finally, he's watching me just as I am him.

"Me." I watched as the man walked out of the motel bathroom holding the standard-issue bathrobe and a pack of baby wipes that I'm more than certain are also used to wipe down the rooms here too "But first." He held up the items before dropping the wipes on the bed in front of where I'd chosen to stand "You take that shit off your face and cover-up, you look freezing, and as much as I adore the female body, it's not mine to look at." He shook his head in my direction before holding the gown up in front of me.

My eyes reflected in his sunglasses as I took it, mumbling a small thank you before slipping it on, causing it to burry my frame under neither it.

Pushing my hair onto my back I slipped off my shoes and pushed them to the side revealing my true height of five foot four. Almost as soon as the bed of my foot touched the flat ground I moaned, wiggling my toes a little.

Thank god for flats!

As I tidied myself up with the wipes I rolled my neck watching the man take off his jacket and face mask "Fucking hate this thing."

From what I could see (as he was facing away from me) his jaw was perfectly sculpted and I have to admit the goatee was doing all the best work to enhance his looks...

Focus.

"When people make these they don't have asthmatics in mind." He muttered to himself as he threw the mask towards the direction of the bin, now walking towards the large chair in the corner that my bag lay in. He only touched it for a moment to move it away from being sat on "You're quiet."

I raised my eyebrow wiping the foundation from my neck "I'm listening." I commented discarding the packet so I could dispose of the used wipes in the bathroom "That's what I've been paid for."

"It sure is" He sighed not sounding too sure of the answer he'd just given.

Confused, I moved to the doorframe and looked in his direction, his head was lent back onto the cushion of the seat, half asleep. I couldn't see his eyes (still covered his sunglasses) but I could tell by the way he held himself. He looked exhausted, drained.

"Now hush and listen."

I frowned for a moment hearing absolutely nothing at all, that's when it hit me, I knew this scene. All too well...

"You didn't want someone to listen to you talk...You want someone to listen out for you while you slept."

"Spot on sweetheart now hush daddies sleeping."

When I first joined the force I was so scared that the criminals I had locked in the cells would find me after serving there short time and hunt me down to kill me in my sleep or burn down my home. Some nights I still feel the same.

That kind of fear, it's soul-destroying, sleep loses all its meaning and paranoia creeps its way into your mind.

Everything and everyone is a threat...

Almost everyone.

But that's what I don't get! What or who was this guy running from? He seemed completely harmless!

However, looks can lie.

I turned my gaze towards the nightstand where his phone and wallet sat in plain sight, unguarded.

"Oh, If your thinking about taking my phone I really wouldn't bother it's old and hardly works, as for my wallet? I'm not stopping you. Though I should warn you that my cards are protected and I don't carry much cash, only the chunk I gave you, however-" He pointed towards me "I do have a Nando's gift card I got from an ex so enjoy the $20 worth of free food."

What made a man so frightened to sleep, that he's more than willing to pay $4000 to a complete stranger to watch over him ..Putting him and his possessions at risk?

I made my way over to the window a few meters away from him. The least I could do for him was wait here until he had fallen asleep properly, then I can make my escape.

"I'm not interested in your things."

I craned my head slightly, rubbing down the back of my sore neck, that's when I noticed my bag now lay open by the man's feet.

But clearly you've been interested in mine.

I dropped my hands from my body leaving them at my side as I walked closer snatching my bag from the carpet "You went in my bag."

"You got in my car."

I scoffed placing it down on the table in front of me "You truly do love being an asshole don't you."

"And you love playing pretend" He spoke simply causing me to raise my eyebrow "I mean shoot you had me fooled for a good.." He blew air out of his lungs, his head turning to look at the clock on the wall "Fifteen minutes."

Keeping my brow raised I turned my body to face him, my hair moving from one shoulder to another "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you've been caught out." He just smiled at me before diving into his sweatpants pocket to retrieve my badge, throwing it in my direction allowing me to catch it "Officer."

Busted.

"Would you believe me if I said it was for clients who like roleplay?"

"No." He shook his head "Because when your from where I'm from you learn to know when you're in a room with a cop.."

There was a short silence between us before I broke it, throwing the metal base of my badge down onto the table beside my bag "What gave me away?" I asked wrapping the gown around me more.

"The fact you didn't take my wallet." He shrugged "You were a hooker you would have grabbed it and left as soon as I sat down."

"Not all sex workers are like that." I bit back causing him to scoff a small laugh leaving him.

"Your not a man sweetheart, you have no idea what happens behind closed doors."

"I've interviewed them enough to know."

"You interviewed any men?" I hadn't and he could tell. "You only ever know the true facts when you're there to see what actually goes down."

He was right. I didn't know what other women had done in this situation and I had no business knowing. Right now I wasn't Officer Roden. I was Mykie...Well, Charlotte. But you get what I'm trying to say right...

The man's hands came together and I watched carefully as his fingers nervously began to play with the few rings on his fingers. I smiled when I noticed his small tattoo that matched mine "You were studying me earlier, in the car-"

"How did you know?" I interrupted.

"Don't be rude. Let me finish." He warned snapping slightly "When you were studying me, what did you deduct?"

"I don't deduct" I answered, "I just guess."

"Then what did you guess?"

"I guessed that you were between the age of thirty and forty. You're from Nevada-"

"How'd you guess about Nevada?"

"Now looks whose interrupting." He smirked softly and signalled for me to continue "I also guessed that you are well known because there would be no other reason to cover your face or not give your name in a town where everybody knows anybody...and that you've had surgery on your nose, but not corrective surgery after a break, plastic surgery. So that means you care about your appearance." I looked over him once more "I can tell you more if you take off your glasses."

"Not happening sweetheart" He answeres sharply "For the same reason your not getting my name."

I let my arms relax, my eyes casting to the window to watch the rain "Why? You scared that if I know I'll report you?"

"Not scared at all." He shook his head which I noticed through the reflection "I've had brushes before. Never done time."

"Are you trying to make yourself sound like a serial killer?" I laughed softly rolling my eyes folding my arms as I looked back at him "Because you're currently giving Ted Bundy a run for his money. Is there something I should know?"

His laugh matched mine and I watched as he turned his head in my direction "Only the three bodies under the floorboards of my house." I scoffed casting my eye to the awful carpet under our feet. In this short time, the man had stood and walked to stand dead in front of me.

He seemed more...I don't know. Trusting in me.

I let my eyes burn into the plastic covering his for a moment, just a moment "I might have to check those out."

He got closer, but not close enough that I couldn't step forward. He then bent to lean his hands down on the table, trapping me in between his chest and the table "Oh so now you wanna come home with me?"

I recognised this, from somewhere, this cockiness. This game of cat and mouse, of love and hate, lust and love..

But where?

The investigator in me wanted to find out, so I had an idea. This man is full of himself, probably has women throwing themselves at him constantly.

So let's play that game.

Sweetly, I raised the palm of my hand to touch his chest, pure muscle under my hand "Would that be such a bad thing to want?" I asked under lidded eyes looking up at him through my eyelashes.

"What's with the sudden change of heart?"

"No change of heart. I'm simply asking a question." Slowly, I ran my hands up onto his shoulders, letting them run over the tense area for a moment before moving them behind the back of his neck "So answer it... Would coming home with you, be a bad idea."

There was something! Something to familiar about him! His voice? Maybe? His attitude...

"Not at all." His hands remained by his side the whole time that is until I started playing with the hair on the back of his neck, one of his hands moved from the table edge and onto my back, holding me where I am.

WHAT WAS IT!

"Could be arranged." I hummed softly now running my fingers over his jaw, moving closer ever so slightly as I allowed my hand to rest on his cheek, my thumb now running over his cheek.

Got it.

I'll explain to you guys a little later.

I watched as he licked his lips softly but our skin never connected bevcause I spoke up instead "Shame really. I don't think Aaron would be happy about that."

"W-what?" As his brows knitted, I pulled off his glasses quickly, holding them away from him as I pushing him away from me.

"Zak."