Distinctly Different

Chapter 16 ~ Capture

His eyes started to drift close but they opened again when someone else knocked on the door. He and Arabella exchanged glances. Rowan cleared his throat.

“Wait a moment,” he called. “Don’t come in.”

They heard a loud sigh. “Fine, but you need to come with me,” Rose said.

“Why?” Rowan asked.

“You know what we talked about in the meeting? We’re doing that,” she said. It was almost as if she knew Rowan wasn’t alone. Rowan sat up abruptly. The cold cloth fell and Arabella moved away from him. Rowan didn’t notice Arabella’s discomfort.

“Um yeah, okay. Just a sec, I need to change,” he told Rose.

“I’ll be in my room. Come get me when you’re ready, and don’t take to long,” she warned. Rowan rolled his eyes.

“I don’t think you should be going out in your condition,” Arabella said. Rowan shrugged and got up. There were a few precarious moments when he thought he would fall but they soon passed with no incident.

“It’ll be fine,” he said disregarding her concern. “I feel better thanks to you.” Arabella blushed and looked down.

“You still have a fever. Whatever relief you feel now will likely only be temporary,” she responded. “You’re fever will come back.”

“It won’t take the long, or at least, it shouldn’t,” Rowan said frowning.

“At least splash some water on your face,” Arabella suggested.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” he stated. He pulled at the collar of his shirt, he was getting warm again. “I’m not sure that’ll be enough. I have an idea though.” He saw that Arabella was about to get up and held out a hand to help her. Once he had pulled her up he walked over to the bucket of water. He grabbed the bucket and before Arabella could say anything dumped it over himself. He met Arabella’s bewildered stare and smirked.

“Why did you do that?” she inquired.

“It was a quicker and easier way to cool myself off. It cooled more than just my face,” he answered. His clothes were now mostly soaked, excess water dripped onto the floor where a big puddle lay. He shook his head and droplets of water flew towards Arabella.

“Glad to see you’re feeling better,” she muttered as she looked at the puddle. “I suppose it didn’t cross your mind that I’ll have to be the one cleaning up the puddle, did it?” Rowan smirk disappeared.

“I wasn’t really thinking clearly,” he said as a way of apology. Arabella rolled her eyes. He smiled mischievously. “I’ll make it up to you.” Arabella didn’t look convinced. “How about a hug?” he offered holding his arms open. Arabella snorted.

“I don’t think so,” she laughed as she backed up as Rowan stepped closer.

“Why not?” Rowan asked innocently. Arabella rolled her eyes.

“I don’t like to be soaking wet,” she replied.

“You’re hurting my feelings,” Rowan joked. Arabella shrugged.

“Don’t care.”

Rowan narrowed his eyes and took more steps forward. Arabella backed up and discovered to her dismay that she was pressed up against the wall. Rowan smirked seeing she was at a disadvantage and came close to her. With a smug look he took her into his arms giving her the hug he’d promised. Arabella tensed as she realized how close she was to the hunter but she just stood there, her arms pinned to her sides. She rolled her eyes as she felt her clothes getting wet.