Chapter 2 The Man in the Bathrobe.

Annabel's POV

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"Knock! Knock!! Knock!!!"

I stood outside the hotel room door, my hand raised and my knuckles white as I waited for a response. "Yes, who is it?" a voice from inside called out, the sound muffled by the door.

"Um...sir, I was sent by my boss Mrs. Clarke to deliver a package to you." I replied, my voice clear and professional.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, my eyes fixed on the door as I waited for a response.

There was silence inside, and I didn't understand why. I just stood outside the door, waiting patiently for whoever was inside to come and open up so that I could deliver my package, earn my money, and leave.

I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time, my unease growing with each passing second.

The voice within the room remained silent, the stillness hanging heavy in the air. As the seconds ticked by, my unease grew. Was the recipient simply busy, or was there something more sinister at play?

I knocked again, my knuckles rapping against the door with a sense of urgency.

"Sir, Mrs. Clarke sent me to deliver a package to you, so I need you to sign it."

There was still no response. My patience was wearing thin, but I knew I had to wait. I needed the money desperately. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my racing thoughts.

Just then, the door opened, and standing before me was a strikingly handsome man.

His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and he wore a plush bathrobe, cinched loosely at the waist.

His eyes, deep and soulful, surveyed me with a hint of surprise. He leaned against the doorframe, his shoulder resting against the wood as he regarded me.

"I...I'm sorry for the wait," he said, his voice rich and smooth.

"I just got out of the shower." He smiled, his lips curling up in a charming smile.

I was surprised by how handsome the man was, and I had trouble speaking. My mouth went dry, and my heart raced as I took in his appearance. I couldn't help admiring him, and wow, he looked really good.

His eyes were a stunning blue, his smile could melt anything, his shoulders showed he was strong, and his hair was wet and shiny from the shower. His lips looked full and inviting, and I imagined them touching mine.

I wanted to look away, but I couldn't stop staring at him because he was so charming and confident. My eyes were fixed on his, my gaze locked in a silent battle of attraction.

I felt my face flush, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.I found myself captivated by the man's presence.

He was just so...alluring. My cheek became red as my heart raced, threatening to leap out of my chest.

I shook my head and gathered myself to say something, but my words stumbled out awkwardly.

"I...I'm here to deliver a package," I stammered, finally finding my voice again.

My eyes darted away from his hypnotizing gaze, only to land on his glistening muscles. I felt my pulse quicken once more.

The man, sensing my discomfort, chuckled softly, breaking the tension with his warm laughter.

"Please, come in,"

His voice smooth and inviting. He gestured me to come in with his hand, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

"I don't want to keep you out in the hallway. It's rude of me to keep you standing there." He stood aside, allowing me to enter, his bathrobe fluttering open slightly as he moved.

I nodded, taking a few tentative steps into the room. My gaze drifted around the opulent space, adorned with rich fabrics and expensive furniture.

I felt small and insignificant, like I was trespassing in someone else's world. As I took in the lavish surroundings, the man closed the door behind me, the click of the lock echoing through the room.

"I apologize for not being dressed when you arrived."

He ran a hand through his damp hair, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I wasn't expecting visitors."

He padded across the room, his bare feet making barely a sound on the plush carpet.

"May I ask who sent you?"

His question drew my attention back to him, my gaze locking with his once again.

The air between us seemed to crackle with an unfamiliar energy, making my pulse race even faster.

I swallowed hard, attempting to steady my nerves.

"Mrs. Clarke, my boss, sent me."

I managed to say, my voice wavering slightly. I held out the package, a small, unremarkable box wrapped in brown paper.

The man's eyes shifted from my face to the box, then back again. Then a sudden smirk played on his lips, which made me confused.

"Oh....the package you say?"

His eyes gleamed with amusement, his voice low and husky.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he took a step closer, his eyes intense and unwavering.

"Yes, the package."

I repeated, my voice firmer this time. "I'm here to deliver it and to get your signature."

I extended the box toward him, holding it steady despite the growing tension in my muscles.

The man didn't take the package. Instead, he took another step closer, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my heart race.

The man's eyes narrowed, his lips pressing together in a thin, hard line. There was a moment of charged silence, the air between us taut with unspoken tension.

I could feel my blood boiling, my heart pounding in my chest. I took another step back, trying to put some distance between us.

But the man followed me, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he were stalking his prey.

His eyes never left mine, his gaze burning with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

"Sir, I really must insist that you sign for the package."

The man ignored my pleas, his eyes never leaving my face. He stepped closer still, his hand reaching out again.

This time, he brushed a lock of hair behind my ear, his fingers trailing along the curve of my jaw.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Fear and anger warred within me, the fight-or-flight instinct rising up like a sudden surge of adrenaline.

"Please, don't touch me." I whispered, my voice low.

The man smiled, the expression dark and possessive.

His smile sent shivers down my spine. He continued to walk towards me, cornering me against the wall.

His hand moved from my face to my shoulder, his grip tightening like a vise.

"You're not leaving this room until I get what I want." he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

My mind raced, frantically searching for a way out of this situation.

I felt trapped, my heart pounding like a caged animal. His grip tightened on my shoulder, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me.

I tried to pull away, but he was too strong.

"Let go of me!" I cried out, my voice breaking with fear.

"I won't stand for this."

The man chuckled, a dark, mocking sound that chilled me to the bone.

"You think you can fight me off?

How adorable."

His free hand moved to my waist, pulling my body flush against his. My stomach churned with terror as the man pressed himself against me.

I could feel the hardness of his body, the heat of his breath against my skin. My mind screamed for me to run, to fight, to do anything I could to escape. But I was frozen, paralyzed with fear.

"You're in my world now." the man whispered, his lips brushing my ear.

"And I always get what I want."

He slid his hand up my back, his fingers tangling in my hair.

As the man's fingers tightened in my hair, I let out a choked sob of terror.

I could feel him pressing himself against me, his arousal unmistakable. I felt nauseous, the fear and disgust twisting in my gut like a poison.

"Please."

I begged, my voice shaking.

"Don't do this. I just want to leave."

But the man only chuckled again, his lips grazing my neck.

"You're not going anywhere." he murmured.

"Not until I've had my fill."

My mind was racing, desperation clawing at my insides. My hands groped for anything I could use as a weapon, but I came up empty.

I knew I had to do something, anything, to fight back.

Suddenly, I thought of the package in my hand. Without warning, I swung it at the man with all my might, slamming it against his face with a sickening crunch.

He cried out in surprise and pain, staggering backward, his hands clutching at his injured face.

"You bitch!"

The man roared, his voice low and furious.

"I'm going to make you pay for that."

I took my chance, shoving him away with all my strength. I turned and ran, looking for the door.

I ran out of the hotel room, my heart beating in my chest. I could hear the man's angry shouts behind me, but I didn't dare to look back.

I kept my eyes fixed on the elevator, my legs shaking as I ran towards it.

I burst through the doors just as they were closing and leaned against the wall, panting heavily.

My phone started ringing and I pulled it out from my pocket. I looked at the screen, my eyes opened wide in shock.

"Oh my god!"