Ansley woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs cooking in the kitchen. She sat up in bed and cringed when she realized she was naked.
She clutched the sheets against her bare bosom.
Her head started to throb at the reminder that she had slept with Davis. This was never a part of her plan. As Ansley summoned the courage to get out of bed, she winced when she saw a condom wrapper on the floor.
She tiptoed to her closet to grab her robe.
Ansley walked into her bathroom and took a quick shower. She tried to lather away her embarrassment. Last night was coming back to her, the blurry details were coming together.
Fifteen minutes later, she strolled into the kitchen with her robe tied securely over a pair of pajamas. Davis had on the pull-over hoodie, and jeans he wore when he came over last night. His feet were still bare, he hadn’t put on any socks or shoes yet.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he greeted. “I took the liberty of preparing breakfast this morning. We have scrambled egg whites, turkey bacon, toast and fresh fruit.”
Ansley stood in silence. This was a lovely gesture, but she was at a loss for words.
“Ansley, are you okay? Is this going too fast for you? I know last night was unexpected,” he said approaching her with caution.
“Last night was not supposed to happen.”
“True, but we both wanted it,” he said closing the space between them. “Right? Tell me I’m not alone here.” He pulled out a chair at the table and gestured for her to have a seat.
She obliged him.
He gave her a little room, grabbed the plate he had prepared and sat it before her. Davis then prepared a plate for himself before joining her.
Ansley bowed her head to say grace.
When she was finished, the first thing she said was, “Davis, last night—never should’ve happened, regardless of how much we wanted to make love. We were just talking about you and Simeon being intimate.”
“I apologize if you felt pressured or that I took advantage of you in any way,” he responded.
“No, I’m not blaming you,” Ansley stated. “We were in this together.” She searched for the right words. “I really like you, but I did not want to rush into anything.”
“Liquid courage is a helluva drug,” he said attempting to cut the tension with humor. Ansley’s hard stare let him know that his joke was not welcomed. “My bad, that was supposed to be funny, but I guess it’s too soon for that joke. I honestly wasn’t expecting what happened between us last night, but I don’t want it to stop. Please give us a fighting chance. I promise we can move at your pace.”
Before she could respond, her phone rang, and Ansley couldn’t be happier for the interruption.
“I need to take this call. It might be my job.”
She walked back into her bedroom, leaving Davis sitting at the table.
Ansley answered on the third ring.
“Hello,” she answered.
“Hi Ansley, this is Jason. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
“Your timing is perfect,” she said looking over her shoulder towards the kitchen.
“Great. Are you free to cover an event at the Compound tonight?”
“Sure. Will they have an area to pick up press passes or shall I come by the office?”
“We have a press pass here at the office for you. One of the photographers and a videographer will be coming with you to get some footage for the live web-stream. Thanks again for taking this on.”
“No problem Jason. See you in a few,” Ansley said, ending the call.
She returned to the kitchen. “Sorry about that.”
“Ansley…”
She held up her hand wanting to pause him. Ansley didn’t want to discuss the events of last night one more minute.
Davis couldn’t be deterred though, and proceeded to say, “Do you want to be with me?”
Meeting his gaze, Ansley responded, “Yes and no. The yes comes with expectations, and the no is based on uncertainty. Yes, I like you but there’s a kink in this chain that is breaking the hold you were having on my heart. I don’t know that I can do this.”
“I understand, and I plan to adhere to your expectations, which I know is to be faithful and honest. I know your concern is whether or not I’m still interested in your friend and if I’m worth the trouble that this will cause for you and Simeon. The answer is yes. I’m worth it, baby.”
Ansley buried her fingers in her long tresses. “Davis, please just stop talking. Please, I just—I just need a minute.”
She sat down and he lowered himself into the chair across from her.
She couldn’t believe she lost control of the situation. Now that the physical was added to their love equation, it felt that much more complex. Stupid wine.
While his joke was tacky, he was right, liquid stimulation mixed with one part cuddling and one-part kissing was the ultimate aphrodisiac. Davis had been so tender with her. He was a wonderful lover. There was a part of her that resented him for being with Simeon first. Try as she might, it was hard for Ansley to push the thought away.
Ansley looked down at the breakfast he had prepared. It was no longer hot.
Any other time, this would have been the perfect way to start her morning, but right now she was too deep in her feelings to enjoy it. She grabbed a piece of bacon and took a bite. More as a means of stalling their nourishment.
“I have to be at work in two hours,” she said avoiding eye contact with him.
“Yeah, I need to get home,” he said. “Shower and change clothes …”
She wiped her mouth on her napkin. “Last night was—unexpected. Again, I’m a big girl and don’t regret what happened and I’m glad that we met. I still want to get to know you—but slowly.”
Ansley took note of Davis’ defeated expression as he looked heavenward, and blew out an exasperated breath.
“You know how you just don’t want to mess things up?” When he nodded, she continued, “I made many mistakes in my last one. I don’t want to do the same with you. I would love to be friends, and we can just start there.”
“It’s a leap of faith. Take this leap with me and I promise you won’t regret it, Ansley,” he pleaded.
Ansley gave him an askance look. “Don’t make me regret this, Davis.”
The corners of Davis’s mouth went up into a Cheshire cat like smile. “I won’t.”
He leaned forward, kissing her on the top of her head.
She inhaled his scent.
Ansley and Davis both rose to their feet, and she walked him to the door.
“I’ll try to call you later,” she said, her tone full of apprehension.
He pulled her into his arms once more, he searched her eyes for any sign of trust.
“You know I got you, right? This will work. We will work.”
Ansley couldn’t find the words to express how she felt. She felt like she was in purgatory, caught between love and loyalty.
Davis lowered his lips onto hers, and she melted. The emotions he expressed came through his kiss and she felt all of the desire he had for her.
Ansley could feel herself getting caught up in the moment, and struggled to maintain her equanimity. She stepped out of his embrace.
“I’m not going to let you make me late.”
He laughed, backing away and waving goodbye as he walked toward the elevator.
Ansley closed the door behind him and replayed everything that happened this morning. Though Ansley wasn’t sure what the future held for her and Davis, she couldn’t deny that he had implanted himself in her life and her heart.