Ajax

Five

Sylvie Marcelo

I opened my eyes and the room was dark, I turned my head and looked out the windows. It was dark out, but it was getting lighter. What time is it? I wanted to roll over to look at the alarm clock, but I was being held down by a giant arm covered in tattoos.

"Mhm stop moving so much, principessa," Ajax said in his sleepy voice, his thick Italian accent was more pronounced in his sleepy state. Wait. Why was Ajax in bed with me? Snuggling?

"Why are you in bed with me?" I said, my tired state is gone. Now I am confused and slightly annoyed.

"You are in my bed, I am sleeping where I always have." He replied, he opened one of his eyes to look at me, but then he closed it. He seemed so unbothered. I was bothered, mostly because I gave him the boundary of not sharing a bed with me and he was doing it anyways. "You fell asleep before dinner, I came up to join you."

I must have fallen asleep when I laid down and tested out the bed. "Go back to sleep, principessa. We have a big day tomorrow." I wanted to argue, I really did. But because of the fire inside me that so obviously burned for the man next to me, I felt myself relax without my consent. Still exhausted from the long travel, I didn't want to be tired but my moment of alertness is gone. I relaxed next to Ajax, his arms tightened around me. Where his skin touched mine, it felt like lightning bolts were shoot up my body. What is with my attraction to this man. With the scent of pine engulfing me, I fell back asleep.

***

The next time I woke, I was alone. I nearly thought I had only dreamt that Ajax slept next to me. The fact that the side of the bed next to me was still slightly warm reminded me that I didn't make that up. I looked at the time and it said 7:10. The sun was beaming through the giant windows, a perfect natural alarm clock. I heard a knock on the door, I sat up and mustered out a mere "Yes?"

"Mrs. Moretti, I have been requested by Mr. Moretti that I check on you, and invite you down for breakfast." I shot out of bed, and opened the door. I was a little embarrassed that I was still wearing the same clothes from the night Ajax picked me up from my house. I needed a shower, and a toothbrush.

The woman that was speaking to me was a short, middle aged woman. She had dark blonde hair and it was tied in a loose bun on her head, some wisps flying out. She had glasses and they framed her dark brown eyes. She gave me a smile, "Good morning, Miss." I returned the smile, but mine was more awkward.

"Good morning, you wouldn't happen to know where Mr. Moretti had my personal boxes put, would you?" I ask, I was starving, but I needed to get cleaned up. She nodded her head.

"Yes, he had the guards bring them in last night and he put them in your closet I believe." I looked back towards the closet door.

"Oh, thank you so much. I will be down to breakfast as soon as I get cleaned up." She nodded and gave a quick 'of course' before she turned and went down the hallway.

I shut the door and went to the closet, sure enough there sat my six boxes. I found the box I had filled with clothes and picked out an outfit. I walked towards the bathroom and I saw a basket full of women's toiletries, all brand new and a tag that read, 'Mrs.Moretti. Hopefully you enjoy, let me know if you prefer different products. -Maria'. Maria must be the woman I just spoke too, she must be Ajax's maid. The scents were heavenly, and I was grateful she was thoughtful enough to pick these up. I started the shower, and placed my clothes on the sink. I always loved a steaming shower, so when I got out of the shower I wasn't surprised by the amount of steam that covered the windows and mirror. I was thankful for the steam because it steamed up the french doors that were the bathroom doors, so it gave some privacy.

I wrapped the towel around my body, I made my way to the clothes I sat out and I realized I forgot to grab underwear. I huffed, annoyed I would have to leave the steamy-warm bathroom. I walked over to the closet, I found a pair of underwear easily enough and when I walked out of the closet I ran right into a hard chest. Two tatted arms wrapped their arms around me, since I was caught off guard I let go of my towel, and it fell to my feet in a heap. Mortified, I look up and see Ajax's dark eyes on me. Darker than I remembered them.

"This will be hard for me to walk away from," His voice sounded so dark, and heavy with need. I swallowed, I felt him getting hard against my stomach. I originally felt embarrassed, but now I almost felt like fire was lit inside me. Heat building within me. His body against mine felt so right, despite the fact that I didn't want it too. I almost felt frustrated that he was clothed and I wasn't.

Snap out of it Sylvie. You just met this man, get ahold of yourself. I cleared my throat. "Close your eyes," I said to him. He rolled his eyes, but complied anyways. I bent down and quickly wrapped my towel back around me.

"What is that saying American's use? Party pooper?" Ajax said, and I hated that the little grin he wore made the heat inside me burn hotter.

"Why are you in here anyways?" I needed to channel frustration or else I would jump this mans bones.

"I was checking on you, making sure you found your belongings alright."

"Yes, well thanks for checking on me. I found them. You may leave." I brushed past him, I went to the bathroom and I peaked out the door and saw he had left. Good. I quickly got dressed and brushed my teeth. I found myself in the dining room a few minutes later. Ajax and two other men sat at the table speaking in Italian to each other. I didn't recognize these other men, but they looked identical and shared some of the features Ajax had.

Ajax stood from his spot and came over to me, "Glad you could join us, principessa. These are my brothers, Danilo and Elias." One of them nodded at me, and the other wore a big goofy grin.

"Hello sister," The one Ajax introduced as Elias, said. "So you are the luck winner of this asino," Ajax narrowed his eyes. I am going to need to take lessons on Italian with all the Italian speaking this family does. "You are much to beautiful to be with him, it doesn't even make sense." Elias said, pointing his finger back and forth between Ajax and I with his nose wrinkled. Sitting next to the two of the twins I could see a difference. Elias had a freckle under his left eye and Danilo had no moles or freckles. Danilo was definitely a more stoic person, and Elias was clearly lighthearted and gregarious.

"We were just talking about the welcome party that is happening tonight." Ajax said, the table was suddenly full of amazing smelling breakfast food. My stomach growled.

"What welcome party?" I ask, I didn't really like social gatherings, I was more of a homebody and not very extroverted.

"The one father is hosting, he wants to formally meet you and introduce you to some powerful people we work closely with as a family." Elias said, unbothered. This must be something that happens around here often. Ugh.

"But I only arrived last night. No settling in?" Elias laughed out loud.

"Father is getting older, and he feels there has been enough time wasted as is." Ajax said, not giving much love or affection at the mention of his father. "He is already working with a team of Wedding planners and he wants you to meet them tonight at the party."

"Oh..." My stomach knotted up and I was no longer hungry.