Chapter 1
November 14, 2023 at 3:25 AM
It was a stupid idea, and Wednesday doesn't know how she agreed to it, even considering the fact that she lost the bet and literally couldn't refuse to fulfill its conditions.
In the swiming pool, among a crowd of strangers, under bright lamp lights and in an excessively friendly atmosphere, she feels too uncomfortable. And the presence of a half-naked Tyler, who took off his shirt as soon as they entered the room, now dressed only in black shorts and flip-flops, does not make her feel any better.
If only they were alone…
She looks at him disapprovingly and states dryly, "I must insist that you at least put a shirt on."
Wednesday sincerely hopes that he will simply listen to her and not ask any further questions. Even though they came to the pool, where the whole point is literally to wear minimal amount clothing.
Of course, instead of listening, Tyler playfully raises an eyebrow and replies,"Oh really? And why is that?"
Wednesday boils with anger, knowing that he understands everything perfectly – only a blind person could not notice the interested looks from the girls, and he is just trying to provoke her.
She crosses her arms and says, "Because you look like a subject of male objectification."
He shrugs – moving the same shoulders that only she was allowed to look at yesterday – and which, to be honest, look simply splendid, whether Tyler is beneath her or standing next to her and teasing. Honestly, Wednesday is ready to chain him up and take him away right now, and then come back and throw a piranha party for anyone who dared to cast a glance at him.
"How exactly did you come to that conclusion?" He asks, self-satisfied, leaning a bit closer and dramatically lowering his voice, as if he wants to tell her the biggest secret in the world. "Is that because… you objectifying me too?"
She squints and gives him a good slap on the forearm.
Tyler laughs and adds smugly, "Oh, please, go on."
Seriously, she wants to bite his head off right now – to make him stop radiating such confidence, as if he knows everything about her. Although she can't deny that she might, indeed... just a little bit…(objectifying him)
"You look vulgar," she states coldly, and Tyler suddenly becomes neutrally curious, as if he really is ready to believe her.
"Why is that?" He asks, but before she can answer, one of the girls walks by and waves at him sweetly.
"Hi, Tyler." She says.
"Uh, hey?" He replies uncertainly.
Wednesday is not accustomed to such temperatures in her body, but it seems like she's boiling from the inside out. Even though, judging by his answer, he has no idea who this girl is. She doesn’t really care at this point.
The fact that Wednesday herself is appraisingly looking at Tyler right now, imagining how he looks like for other people, and seeing his strong, muscular body, literally built to convey a sense of strength and desire to touch him everywhere you can reach... Well, yup, this fact, does not calm her anger at all.
She doesn't know how to describe his body and the feelings she has when she looks at him. But Wednesday knows for sure that he's attractive, and she likes touching him, likes how his chest and abs muscles flex, and likes his natural, masculine scent without any artificial additives pushed by marketing. And... She always chooses the best, so it's obvious that the best will attract jealous gazes.
And why is she even thinking about how she could describe him?
What's important is that he belongs to her. Period. And his pathetic attempts to make her feel this absurd concept of jealousy are infuriating.
To the point of disgust, actually; because jealousy is exactly what she feels.
"So?" He asks, referring to his previous question, although she could use his mercy on her now. Gathering her composure, Wednesday starts explaining, relaxing a bit, focusing on her own words, and forcing herself to believe in them. And believe in the fact that he's asking not to just tease her again but because he's naive or, well, just wants to reassure himself that he is important to her.
"You're standing half-naked in the middle of the room, smiling at everyone who passes by. And you're showing off your muscles, and you're wearing those idiotic shorts that only draw even more attention to your body, and underneath them..." she hesitates because, obviously, she's the only one who has seen what's underneath, but Tyler has heard enough.
He sits on her sun lounger, causing her to move, and immediately occupies all the space, lifting her up and seating her on him immediately after. Wednesday freezes, knowing that they are undoubtedly attracting so much attention right now, but she's also angry enough to disdainfully glance back and just lean against his chest. His handsome, warm, firm chest that only she's allowed to touch.
Suck it.
She chokes on a sudden realization of how low she's fallen - being proud of Tyler as if he were an object of luxury, a property. Her self-esteem and, evidently, her sanity have seen better days. Maybe all those times she fell to the ground during her visions did indeed lead to a concussion?
She'll need to get herself checked.
His hand wraps around her waist, and she relaxes at his touch, but she still doesn't feel entirely comfortable being the center of attention, even if it serves the right purpose: to show that he belongs to her.
"So," He starts nonchalantly. "Do you really think you could list all these things without wrinkling your nose, if you hadn't objectified me?"
She snorts mockingly.
"Understanding things doesn't necessarily mean that you have done them yourself."
Well. Judging by Tyler's face, she made a good point. And yet, thinking it over, tracing circles on her waist, he innocently asks.
"So, if I take off my shorts right now and stay in just my swim trunks – which, by the way, is completely normal since we are in a pool – you won't say a word, and I can dive in, and…"
She frowns again, not knowing how to respond – all her energy is focused on not grimacing. He corners her intentionally, giving her no choice, even though she didn't want to come here in the first place. It's unfair.
Suddenly his hot breath burns her ear, and his firm hands press her closer to his infinitely enticing body – even considering that she knows every scar and mole on it already.
"Admit it, and we'll leave right away: my room is empty, and no one will bother us until evening," he whispers seductively. Damn.
A shiver runs down her spine, and she thanks her unwillingness to become an object of someone else's gaze and stopped her choice on sufficiently covered clothing. She will leave enough marks and scratches on his body later, though, so that anyone who looks at him – even if he's wearing a turtleneck and a down jacket will know for sure: He. Belongs. To her.
"Fine," she grumbles in discontent, rolling her eyes and trying not to look at him. "Maybe I’m objectifying you a bit."
Even so, she sees the shit-eating grin spreading across his face.
"Would you shut up kindly?" she commands, burying her ego mentally. Since the day they’ve met everything going haywire…
Well, to be honest, she doesn't regret it at all. Maybe a little. Just not to be so disgustingly happy after all.
"Knew it," of course he couldn't help but comment, and when she is about to hit him again, he gets up from his place and gently holds her, allowing her to stand up properly. "Let's go."
They move towards the exit, and he quietly adds. "To the place where only you can look at me like a piece of meat."
Oh, she knows he's teasing her, and if she's completely honest – it's not like the girls' gazes towards him were so intense, but anger ignites in her chest at the mere thought of it.
"Keep making fun of me, and next time I'll buy the most revealing outfit that Enid can find," she replies.
Tyler stumbles in place and stops.
"Well, not that I'm against it..." he smirks at the thought. "Would you actually do that, though?"
Wednesday has to admit that it won't be easy for her. And yet…
"Just to shut you up and wipe that stupid smile off your face when you know that even those who fear me can look up and see me like this?" A look of panic flashes on his face, and Wednesday feels satisfaction spreads in her chest. Oh yes, "Definitely."
He tightens his grip on her hand and pulls her into the room. She revels in her own smugness, hearing a barely audible growl coming from his side.
Two can play this game.
