Chapter 10

Chapter

Ten

LEAH

I sit up quickly and notice my error.

Oh God, my legs were spread open! He saw, well, everything he could see.

Embarrassment and shame runs through my veins so strongly that I push Seer away so I can wrap myself in the sheet until I can find some damn clothes.

"Kai, tell them we'll be down there as soon as possible. Leah, why don't you call your friend back while I get you something to wear? If you're up to it, there is a bathroom right through there." He points at a closed door as he stands from the bed, giving me a bird's eye view of the bulge he's got going on.

His hands came down to what I thought was a cover-up, but instead, he adjusted himself with a loud groan.

"Not helping Baby. GO shower. I'll knock on the door when I come back in. There are clean towels under the sink." He turns away from me and shoves Kai out into the hallway.

I fumble to my feet and turn in a circle with the bedsheets clutched to my heaving chest.

What the fuck just happened?

Phone, Leah. Concentrate and call Annie!

Right.

I found the device and had to try three times before I could bring up her number because my hands were shaking so badly.

"If this is the kidnappers, I want you to know that I do not negotiate with terrorists, nor do I wait for proof of life. If you have hurt my best friend, I will find you…" I roll my eyes before cutting her off.

"Will you calm down, you loony toon! I'm fucking fine. Did you really call the cops?" She sighs in relief at the sound of my voice but answers me just as hostile as when the call started.

"What the fuck was I supposed to think? You said your place burned down, you woke up with two men in bed with you, and then hung up! I needed to make sure you weren't in a cage is getting ready to get your V-card sold to the highest bidder." I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"You have to stop reading all those mafia romances, Annie. This is real life. I'm fairly certain that doesn't happen." She scoffs.

"A woman can dream. Seriously, though, are you okay? I'm two seconds away from booking a flight and hauling myself to the Big Easy to check on you." I smile for the first time since this crazy conversation started.

"Actually, the police ringing my boss interrupted me, hitting third base, I think." I tilt my head and try to remember how baseball works.

"Say what now?" I nod as I count in my head.

"Yup, definitely third. Kissing, groping, oral." I tick them off and scrunch my nose.

It was probably best we stopped before that. I do need a shower, something bad. I started walking to the bathroom door, totally set to wash my night away, and completely forgot about my best friend on the phone until her screaming made me stumble.

"YOU FUCKING DID WHAT? WITH WHO? WHERE?" How do I always manage to do this to myself?

"Annie, I know you're a journalist, but I am not a news story. Can you chill, please? I'm still processing it myself." I turn on the water and place the phone on the sink, turning it to speaker.

I close the door and lock it cause lord knows I'm done with surprises today.

"I'm sorry, but this is big news! Please tell me it was all you've dreamed of." I smile as I drop the sheet to the floor and survey myself in the full-length mirror of this rather exquisite and clean bathroom.

"Aren't men supposed to be slobs?" I comment as I check out the space more thoroughly.

A ginormous claw-foot tub sits in a corner with a fancy tray table full of oils, body washes, sponges, and a candle. A book tray is leaning up against it, and Phoebe's outraged face crosses my mind. She must read in the tub.

Trepidation once again enters my mind.

I understand the dynamic of Polyamory from an education standpoint, but as a woman from my background, it has always intrigued me how the human response comes into play.

Logically, most mammals are not monogamous by nature. So why are humans thought to be? It's the very reason why I went into this field and the whole basis of my thesis.

"Oh God," I grab the sink so I don't collapse.

"What? Talk to me, Leah!" Annie's voice snaps me out of my head again.

"How do you put up with me? I'm sorry I keep not answering you." I let the remnants of my nightie fall off my shoulders.

"I'm at Seer's house. That answers who and where. The men were him and Kai, but only Seer kissed and touched me. I'm a ship lost at sea, Annie. My entire life literally went up in smoke last night. All my research for graduation is gone. I'm standing in my Boss's bathroom in the only underwear I own. I think this is rock bottom." I sit on the edge of the tub and hang my head.

"Well, good thing you know how to climb bitch. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Didn't that man make you cum? I swear these men nowadays don't know their dicks from their big toe." I laugh as a tear slides down my cheek.

"Um, the phone call from the cops kinda stopped that part." I bit my lip as memories of the experience warm my chest just enough to chase the sadness away.

"AH FUCK! I COCK BLOCKED YOU?" I'm just about to answer when a knock on the door stops me.

"Annie, hang on." I go to the door and take a deep breath before unlocking it.

I keep my body behind it as I open it slightly to stare Seer in the face.

"I believe I'm the person who was cock blocked. Wouldn't it be cunt stunt for ladies?" His eyes are full of humor as the color drains out of mine.

I'm about to tell him not to encourage her when Annie jumps right on in.

"You, sir, are on my shit list! My bestie is in major distress and in need of the serotonin boost!" Oh lord, please, how can this day get worse?

"Well, now, to be fair, Cher. Your intervention via police challenges is the reason for that, so shouldn't you be putting the blame on yourself?" His voice changes towards the end, and his eyes do not linger on my face.

Instead, they're on the full-length mirror behind me, showing him my nearly naked body.

"Are those for me? Thank you. I'm going to shower now. Be right out." I grab the bag Seer is holding before promptly closing the door in his face and locking it again.

"Annie, you have been the bain of my entire existence today. Stop calling the police! I love you, I'm fine. I'll call you tomorrow. Bye!" I hit the end button on the phone.

I sigh and take a second to center myself.

Get clean, put on clothes, handle the police at Spirits, and get your life together.

With my plan set, I stepped into the waterfall shower, which was built for six, and let my troubles wash down the drain.