Reiner – In His Arms

“Wait! Charles…” I protested in shock as I felt his arm around my body before he started lifting me up into his arms.

Effortlessly, Charles lifted me up into his arms and began carrying me princess-style. These big and tall guys with too much strength always just like to do whatever they want, don’t they?

“I’ll carry you to the car. Just tell me the way,” Charles said calmly.

I let out a long sigh as I shook my head a little to myself. This is nuts. However, it did save me from walking on blistered feet. I felt quite uncomfortable at how effortlessly he could lift me up as if I was lighter than air. I could feel Charles’ strong arms around my body and the hardness of his chest and body against mine.

“Thanks…but seriously, you didn’t need to do this…” I thanked him begrudgingly.

“It’s nothing. So, which way is your car?” Charles said like it really was nothing.

I was starting to wonder if he randomly lifted women with blistered feet into his arms just like this but then I realize that he probably didn’t. With another defeated sigh, I pointed my finger in the direction where my car was parked. Immediately, Charles started walking in the direction that I had pointed.

If I had met Charles earlier when I was living my old life as the Natalia Rosenhall, I would have seriously considered spending a wild night in bed with him…or anywhere he wanted to do it. His body and looks were definitely the type that I coveted, and his character is charming and decently respectful.

I was sure that with the body and history that he had, he knew very well how to please a woman in bed and that I would probably have an enjoyable time with him. However, right now, I wasn’t at all interested in bedding him or anyone for that matter.

This dress probably sent off all the wrong messages and the bar setting didn’t help either. With a sigh, I decided that perhaps it was time that I told him straight forwardly that if he’s looking for a one-night stand, he’s more than welcome to look elsewhere because I wasn’t game. A nagging feeling at the back of my mind told me that that wasn’t the case with Charles though.

‘…not everyone women here can be bought for a price and not every man is here looking for company for the night,’

For some strange reason, Queen’s words came back to me, and it only made me wonder what Charles was really looking for. It also made me wonder if I had been unknowingly looking for something here too.

The walk to my car wasn’t a long one and I didn’t want to stretch it out more than necessary. All the while, I was mindful that he was still holding me in his powerful arms. After a short while, we arrived where my car was parked.

“Did you drive here?” I asked curiously.

“Yes, I did,” he replied.

“This is my car. Thank you carrying me,” I said as I gestured to my car.

Charles took the last few steps towards my car with me still in his arms. Carefully, he put me back down on the ground and I felt the pain in my feet once more. It was now time for us to part ways for the night. I reached for the handle to the car’s door, but Charles larger hand beat me to it. I watched as the door slowly opened as he opened the door for me.

“Thank you…” I murmured softly.

“Get home safe, Natalia…” Charles said, and our eyes met.

This is starting to get a little bit too much for my frail heart to handle. Regardless of what my mind thought, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his. This is bad…

His much larger frame trapped me between him and the car as he continued to stare deeply into my eyes. Is he going to kiss me? Do I want him to?

I should be telling him that I’m not interested so why can’t I say anything right now. His presence towered over me and just when I thought that he would kiss me, Charles smirked at me and stood up straight again.

Suddenly, our bodies were separated and there was enough respectable distance between us. My legs almost collapsed under me, and I had to grip the car door to keep myself standing.

“Are you seeing someone, Natalia?” Charles asked directly.

Technically…

“No, I’m not seeing anyone,” I replied after recovering from my shock.

“I see. You should get in the car and go home now. Men around here can do reckless things even when they’re not drunk,” he said and I couldn’t tell whether he was just teasing me or if there was some truth in his words.

That’s funny. Aren’t you the only one around here right now?

I couldn’t suppress a smile and a small laugh as I got into my car.

…

Despite my shock at his sudden advances, I found myself smiling a little to myself as I drove the car back to the mansion. The pain in my feet remained but my heart and mind felt lighter. I realized that I was quite happy with my life right now although it wasn’t the life that I had pictured when I stepped foot onto that cargo plane. Now if only I would land that secretary job that I interviewed for earlier in the day, then everything would get even better.

I knew that job hunting was competitive from where I came from, but I had no idea what the competitive situation was like on this island. It wasn’t wrong for a girl to hope for the best and that was what I intended to do. There was no traffic at all which wasn’t a surprising thing at this hour. I arrived back at the mansion after a short while of driving.

Not thinking that I could take walking in the heels that I had on anymore for the day, I took them off and dangled them from the fingers of my hand instead. No one was around anymore so no one is here to judge me for walking barefoot. I grabbed my other stuff as well before getting out of the car. The car made a beeping sound when I pressed the remote to lock it.

--To be continued…