7. Cleo

7

CLEO

M y head feels fuzzy and my tongue dry. I lick my lips, but there’s no moisture in my mouth. Slowly, I swing my legs over the bed and stumble to the bathroom.

My eyeliner is smudged because I forgot to take it off before bed, and my hair is sticking out at funny angles.

It’s not my best look.

Cupping water in my hand, I take a few greedy gulps and immediately feel better as I hydrate. I’m not a fan of hangovers, but I don’t regret drinking wine with Kray last night.

He’s a nice guy underneath the heavy ink and intimidating biker jacket. The conversation flowed easily, and the night went by so quickly I didn’t realize it had gotten so late.

Luckily, I don’t need to be in the office today.

After a long shower I’m feeling better and venture out to the living area.

“Morning.” Kray’s smile lights up the room and makes me remember that I almost kissed him last night.

Almost but not quite.

“Stupid girl,” I mutter to myself.

Kray gives me a sympathetic look and runs me a glass of water. He must think I’m telling myself I’m stupid for being hungover. I’m not going to correct him.

I take the water and slink back to my room, not ready to face him.

It was stupid, throwing myself at a man because he showed a little bit of kindness. But it still stings that Kray rejected me.

Or maybe he was being a gentleman. I snort at the thought, almost spilling my water. Not likely. There are no gentlemen left in this world that I’ve ever come across.

I spend most of the day in my room working and avoiding Kray. But in the afternoon, I get ready to leave the house. I take my time with my makeup, telling myself it’s what I usually do. But somewhere inside me, I hope Kray notices my figure-hugging tights and how good my lips look in this wine-colored shade.

He’s not in the apartment when I come out of the room, and I feel a pang of disappointment. I find him working on his bike in the parking lot and chatting amiably to Fitzy. She gives me a pointed look when she sees me come out of the elevator and floats off in her zebra print shawl that looks far too cold for this weather.

My heartbeat goes up a notch as I watch Kray’s grease-stained hands tighten something up on the bike.

I know nothing about bikes, but I can tell this beast is his pride and joy.

“Fixed enough to take you home yet?” I ask pointedly, even though I’m not sure I want Kray to leave now.

“You trying to get rid of me?”

His eyes sparkle and I look away. I’m not sure I am anymore. Kray is good company. I like having him around.

“I’m going into town,” I tell him. I can tell he’s dying to ask me where I’m going, but I decide to keep that to myself. It’s nice watching him wrestle with himself not to ask. “You got a key?”

He holds up his key chain. “Ethan gave me a spare.”

I head over to my car, and Kray calls after me. “Be careful. That snow cloud is about to break.”

It’s been about to break for the last two days, so I’m not too worried. Although it’s nice that he’s concerned.

As I pull out of the parking lot, Kray leans on his bike and watches me. I peek at him through the rearview mirror as I drive away, hoping like hell I get another opportunity to kiss him.