7

                           Stowaway

                         chapter seven

                     Zoe's point of view.

I try to open my eyes, but everything hurts, my head hurts, my throat hurts and my limbs hurt.

Fuck what happened I think to my self as I try to lift my arms, realising something is weighing it down, with a groan I eventually pry my eyes open as the sunlight hits me. I turn my head to the side a half scream leaving my dry throat as I pull my hand away from the man who's holding it.

He groans as he opens his eyes, and I find myself looking into the most mesmerising green eyes I've ever seen in my life. I scoot away from him as he blinks looking at me before he says, in a deep masculine voice

"you're awake." 

I nod my head running my tongue over my dry lips before saying

"where am I."

"At the minute you're in the middle of the ocean."

I struggle to sit up, my limbs feel as though they're made of lead, he leans over to help me up, and for some reason, I don't feel the need to pull away from the handsome stranger. Once he's helped me into a sitting position, he holds a glass of water to my lips as I take a large drink.

"Thank you"

I croak; he smiles as he says

"How are you feeling."

I groan

"like I've been hit by a steam train, what happened."

He looks at me with a frown as he says.

"That's what I'm hoping you're going to tell me beautiful."

I look down, not holding his gaze, I have no idea who this man is, can I trust him? I think to myself. Realising he's not going to get an answer, he says.

"Let's start with what I know then. I found a beautiful girl asleep in my bed, A girl running a very high fever, who was virtually unresponsive. We managed to get your temperature down, and we told you we were going to ring the coastguard to get you to hospital, you then begged us not to before falling unconscious, We also heard that Austin Rutherford's fiancee Zoe Myers is missing presumed dead after apparently falling from his father yacht in the middle of the night while out in the ocean, a bit of coincidence isn't it Zoe."

I look at him with my eyes wide. Will he tell Austin where I am?, I can't hold back the tears as I say.

"Please don't tell him where I am......I'll get off the boat as soon as I can?"

He sighs.

"I won't tell him where you are, but I do need you to tell my why you would risk your life just to get away from him,  he's your his fiancee you've been in every paper this week all loved up."

I wipe my tears away with my hand as I say.

"Last week, I hardly knew Austin Rutherford or his father. I was celebrating my twenty-first birthday, not knowing how soon my life would change."

So I tell him everything from my party and father handing me over like some kind of prize to the humiliating ordeal with Austin and his father, not feeling the tears running down my face. This man whoever he is listens with no judgement before he takes me in his arms and holds me close as I hear him whisper

"Im going to kill that bastard for touching you."

He waits for my sobs to subside as he gently rubs my back as he says.

"It's okay I promise no one will hurt you, Zoe." 

"You won't tell Austin where I am?"

I whisper in his arms as he replies.

"never"

I breathe a sigh of relief before finally regaining my composure I reluctantly pull away. I can't describe the comfort this man just gave me, how safe he makes me feel, how good I feel in his embrace.

We sit for a while in comfortable silence, just looking at each other the air around us is electrified with the attraction between us. I finally break the trance to say."

I don't even know your name."

He smiles showing his cute little  dimple in his chin and flashing his perfect white teeth as he replies 

"Aiden Taylor at your service...." 

I blush as I look at him and whisper.

"I really need to use the toilet Aiden."

He laughs as he helps me to stand up, I sway feeling lightheaded, as my limbs struggle to hold me up. He quickly takes me in his arms.

"fuck are you okay?"

He asks before he sweeps me off my feet and carries me into the bathroom.

"I'm okay, think I just tried to get up too quickly."

He nods his head as he gently places me down in the bathroom, his strong arms keeping me steady as he makes sure im okay before he lets go, he backs out the door as he says.

"I'll be right outside Zoe, shout me when you're done."

I look at myself in the mirror, the girl staring back at me is deathly pale, with dark circles under her eyes, eyes that are red and sore after the little break down she just experienced. It takes so much energy just to use the toilet and wash my hands and face that by the time I'm finished I'm exhausted as I sink down onto the toilet seat before my legs give way. I call out to Aiden.

"I'm finished."

He looks me over, unable to hide his concern before he sweeps me back into his arms as he carries me into the bedroom with my head resting on his shoulder. 

As he's getting me back in the bed there's a quiet knock on the door, Aiden calls out.

"Come in." 

I can't help my reaction as I scoot over into the corner, Aiden watches me as he says.

"Its okay Zoe, it's my brother Noah, your safe."

The Man who's even bigger than Aiden ducks his head as he walks through the doorway.

He has a friendly face, and a warm smile, he looks at me.

"Its good to see you awake Miss, I was starting to get a little worried, I hope your feeling better."

I answer him back somehow knowing he's one of the good guys.

"A little, how long have I been asleep?"

I ask as he looks at his watch before saying.

"About thirty hours." 

"Oh "

I reply, expecting him to say a couple of hours; I guess I didn't realise how ill I was, thank god Aiden and Noah had come on board when they did.

Noah sees the shock on my face, he says.

" You need to keep on top of the paracetamol for a few days, make sure the fever doesn't return and you need to eat Miss, you need to get your energy back, your already skin and bones."

I blush, I've always been skinny. I guess that's why I'm such a good swimmer.  I look up as there's another knock of the door this time as Aiden sighs as he shouts.

"come in."

I'm met with another two pairs of the same green eyes, Twins this time both tall like Aiden and Noah but slightly less built its obvious there all brothers as I say.

"How many are there of you?"

Noah laughs as he replies.

"That's it now, Zoe these two idiots are our younger brothers Carter and Jack."

The twins stand at the door as they both say

" Hi"

At the same time, making me giggle as Aiden shakes his head, saying.

"you'll get used to that"

I look at the four handsome men as I ask, 

"So is that all of the Taylor brothers then?"

Aiden laughs as he says.

" Yeah, that's it for the brothers, just one big pain in the ass little sister."

"older,"

The twins say at the same time at Aiden carries on.

" My sister Natasha is two years younger than me." 

"Wow, you have a big family."

Noah smiles as he says,

"Im sure you'll meet them all soon."

Leaving me wondering why he would say that, but he doesn't clarify any more, he gives Aiden a look before asking him.

"Can you come and help me in the kitchen for a minute, we need to get this young lady some food."

Aiden stands as he turns to look at me, he says.

"We won't be long."

They both leave the room, I know Noah wants to ask Aiden if hes found anything out about me, but for some reason, I know Im safe with these four brothers.

I spend the next twenty minutes listening to the youngest two Taylor brother, laughing, arguing and finishing each other's sentences.

Although the thought still lingers in my head.

Why will I be meeting the rest of Aiden's family?