The first thing I feel when I start to regain consciousness is the slow, pounding hammer in my head. I try to open my mouth, but it feels as dry as a desert. My eye lids feel like they are weighed down with sand bags and refuse to open. I groan out in frustration as my limbs are heavy and unresponsive when I try to move.
“Good morning, gorgeous,” Chase says way too loudly for my ringing head. I’m one hundred percent confident that gorgeous is the last thing I look right now. I manage to open my eyes and see him sitting beside me on the couch. His beautiful chest is bare, his carved out pectorals and beautiful hard six pack abs on full display. His pajama pants hang low on his hips, showing off his sculpted V-shaped torso that disappears into his pants. My eyes scan his body up and down, my tongue immediately feeling thick as the desire to lick every inch of him grows. I snap out of my thoughts and look underneath the blanket at myself to see that I’m still fully clothed. I must have passed out on the couch and he covered me up with a blanket to sleep. My heart warms a little at the fact that he could have easily taken advantage of my inebriated state, but instead, was a perfect gentleman.
“Hi yourself,” I croak out, my throat feeling as if I swallowed a hundred nails. He hands me a glass of water and I give him a grateful smile. I take a deep swallow, the cold water putting out the flames inside my mouth.
“Are you hungry?” he asks and my stomach answers him in a growl. He laughs in his low, seductive way and stands up to head to the kitchen. “I’ll make us some breakfast. Make yourself at home and relax.” I lay back down and try to close my eyes, but visions of Chase’s half naked body keep appearing, making me feel very uncomfortable. I reopen my eyes and look around his apartment instead as a distraction from my inappropriate thoughts. It’s a small studio apartment where there are no walls separating the kitchen from the living room to the bedroom. Decor is minimal, reminding me that his time here is short.
“Did you have to sign a long term lease for this place?” I ask, curious if he would need to stay longer than the two weeks he says he has left here in order to not break a lease.
“I’m on a month-to-month lease,” he says as he scoops eggs out of the pan and onto the plates. “Breakfast is almost ready.”
I get up and use the restroom before sitting down to eat. I look at myself in the mirror with disgust, confirming that I look exactly like the hot mess I feel I am. I wash the mascara off from underneath my eyes and slather some toothpaste onto my finger to attempt to brush my teeth. I rinse out my mouth and go out to join him. I sit down on one of his barstools and as he hands me my plate of food, he deliberately brushes my hands with his after I take it from him. The warmth of his touch makes me shiver. There is nothing sexier than a man taking care of a lady, but he shouldn’t have had to take care of me last night. I shouldn’t have drunk as much as I did. I look down in embarrassment, grateful that he was there and that he still continues to take care of me this morning. I look up at him and he smiles, his desire for me still prevalent in his eyes, despite seeing me at a low point last night. Memories of my actions in the cab ride start to become less hazy and I become completely horrified at my behavior.
“What’s wrong? Your face is all red,” he asks with concern. I take a sip of water, hoping it will help cool down my blush.
“I’m sorry about last night,” I look down at my food, not wanting him to see the shame in my eyes. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“I was happy I was there to take care of you, but I’m the one who owes you an apology as I left you alone for an hour.” While that is true, if it was for the sake of dealing with business with his brother, I can’t get mad at that.
“It was fine. Was everything okay with your brother?”
“Yes, everything is fine.” He puts down his fork and I notice that he has already inhaled his eggs and toast. He wipes his mouth with a napkin and memories of his hard, hot lips on mine start to burn up my cheeks again. “But, I don’t want to talk about my brother. I do want to talk about that guy you were with last night. Who was he?”
I blink my eyes, trying to focus my thoughts on his question instead of his lips. “That was Torrin Richards, the general manager of the House of Royalty nightclub. I met him with Robert earlier in the day.”
“And you’re meeting with him on Monday about a job?” he quizzes me with narrowed eyes.
“I told you that?” I ask in surprise, trying to recall last night’s conversation.
“No, he mentioned it when he was saying goodbye to you.” He sits back and crosses his arms over his chest. The movement makes my eyes go immediately to his pink, hard nipples.
“Oh…” I shake my head, willing myself to look at his face and not at his chest. “Well, yes, I have a meeting with him to discuss the opening they have at the club.”
He tilts his head with a questioning look. “Do you really think that is a good idea?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? I have hit the ceiling with my current job and the traveling is getting tiresome. His job opening is for someone to run the special events that his club hosts. This is the stepping stone I need in order to qualify for future job opportunities at the elite venues in Chicago.”
“I’m confident that you are overqualified for this position. I think you should continue looking elsewhere.” He stands up and dumps his plate in the kitchen sink, pours himself and me a cup of coffee and comes back to sit down with me while I finish eating.
“I’m still continuing to look elsewhere, but there is no reason for me not to meet with him on Monday. It’s just an interview, there’s no harm in that.” I take another bite of my food, intrigued by what his reasoning may be.
“There is something about him, Layla, that I don’t like. I want you to stay away from him.” I almost choke on my food, not prepared for him to demand me to stay away. Who does he think he is to tell me what to do?
“Excuse me? You have no right to tell me what to do, Chase!” I say in anger when suddenly realization hits me. “Wait a minute, are you jealous?” The concept seems so foreign to me as Chase has nothing to be jealous about when it pertains to Torrin.
“He’s dangerous, Layla. Stay away from him,” he commands as he picks up my plate and takes it into the kitchen for me.
“Who says he’s dangerous, Chase? Have you investigated him yet?” I can’t hide the hint of disgust that filters into my voice over the lengths that Chase goes through to find out information on someone when he is a paparazzi.
“Not yet, but I will and I look forward to telling you I told you so.” His tone gets playful and he winks at me. I can’t help but roll my eyes at him, secretly hoping he finds nothing bad on Torrin.
“I’m done with this conversation. It’s time for me to go.” I stand up and head toward the couch to grab my purse.
“Why? What do you have planned for today?” He stands in front of me, blocking my path towards the door. He invades my personal space by standing so close to me that my breasts are touching his bare chest. Despite the layers of clothes I have on, I feel the sexual energy radiating off of him and my nipples immediately stand to attention.
“I need to report in the two client meetings from yesterday so I’m not behind on Monday with work.” I stare at his neck, refusing to look down at our bodies touching or his eyes that would suck me right into staying longer with him.
“Let’s go see a movie tonight.” He cups my chin and forces it up, giving me no choice but to look at him. It has been a very long time since I have been to the movies and the thought of going actually sounds fun. Plus, it would be two hours of me not having to talk or look at him, which would keep me clear headed.
“Okay,” I confirm with no hesitation. His eyes light up with delight and he quickly plants a swift, hard kiss on my lips.
“Excellent! Let me get a shirt and I will walk you downstairs to get a taxi.” He turns around and as I watch his delectable, hard, bubble shaped ass strut to his dresser, I start to think maybe going to the movies with him tonight is not such a good idea.