As Tessa led Blake into the lodge, she couldn't help but assess him discreetly, searching for any signs of danger. Judging from his attire, she couldn't determine if he was armed, but the videos she had seen of him attacking Becky didn't show him wielding a weapon either. Despite her unease, she maintained a composed facade, keeping a careful distance between them as they moved through the space.
She gestured towards the room where she had encountered the door handle issue, her movements deliberate and controlled. "Right this way," she said, her voice calm despite the frantic thoughts racing through her mind.
As they entered the room, Tessa's eyes darted around, searching for anything she could use as a weapon in case of an emergency. However, the space was devoid of anything that could be of assistance. Her heart rate quickened at the realization of the situation she had unwittingly placed herself in.
Allowing a man who was supposed to be in prison into her lodge alone was a reckless decision, and now she was grappling with the consequences.
Suppressing her rising panic, Tessa forced herself to maintain a composed exterior, unwilling to let Blake see the fear that churned within her. She plastered a polite smile on her face, though her mind raced with questions and doubts. What was she even thinking? How could she have been so naive as to let her guard down in the presence of someone like Blake?
As Blake pretended to assess the door handle, he cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts before speaking. With calculated nonchalance, he began with a casual question, aiming to ease the tension that lingered between them.
"So, how are you enjoying your holiday here?" Blake inquired, his tone light as he turned towards Tessa. He offered her a small, polite smile, hoping to appear friendly and approachable despite the weight of the situation they found themselves in.
Tessa's guard remained firmly in place as she observed Blake's every move, her mind racing with apprehension. Despite her reservations, she recognized the need to maintain a facade of normalcy, at least until she could assess the true intentions behind Blake's unexpected presence.
"It's been... pleasant," Tessa replied cautiously, her voice measured as she chose her words carefully. She kept a respectable distance from Blake, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. "And the resort is quite lovely, thank you."
Though her words were polite, Tessa couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. She remained on high alert, acutely aware of the potential dangers that lurked beneath the surface of their seemingly innocuous conversation.
Tessa hesitated, caught off guard by Blake's probing questions. She realized she had unwittingly divulged too much about her situation. Her mind raced with questions about his motives and intentions.
Blake's question lingered in the air, prompting Tessa to hesitate before responding. She couldn't shake off the feeling of unease creeping over her. Why was he so interested in her travel plans? Her mind raced with possible explanations, each more unsettling than the last.
As Tessa struggled to find an answer, she realized she had inadvertently revealed too much. Her guard had slipped, and now she was left vulnerable in the presence of a man who should have been behind bars.
Despite her growing suspicions, Blake appeared disarmingly calm and nonchalant. It was unnerving how effortlessly he seemed to blend in, considering his supposed criminal background. Tessa couldn't help but wonder if there was more to him than met the eye.
As she tried to compose herself, Tessa couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that washed over her. She glanced at Blake, his demeanor calm and collected, belying the uncertainty that churned within her.
"You know, what's wrong with the door seems like it might need a few tools to fix. Unfortunately, I left them back at the condo. I thought it was just a minor issue."
He rose from where he was crouching by the door, his tone casual yet apologetic. Tessa furrowed her brows, a hint of suspicion flickering in her eyes as she watched him.
As Blake turned to leave, Tessa's gaze lingered on him, a flicker of alarm passing through her eyes. She realized she might have underestimated the situation; he was much larger than her, and any confrontation wouldn't end well for her.
Sensing Tessa's unease, Blake paused, turning back to her with a furrowed brow. "Is everything okay?" he inquired, his voice laced with concern. Tessa's eyes darted around nervously, her mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the situation.
With a shaky hand, Tessa retrieved a small bottle from her back, holding it up as a warning. "Don't come any closer," she warned, her voice trembling slightly. She had discreetly reached for her pepper spray while Blake was inspecting the door, prepared to defend herself if necessary.