Chapter 5

DREW

My eyes crack open to a pitch-black room. She must have come back and closed the door. My watch reads 11:15 as my stomach growls. I wonder what those groceries had for snacks? I bend my legs to put them over the side, I groan. I feel like preseason practice has started early. Pushing open the door, the condo is quiet. Is Chloe still here? She said she couldn't leave, but she's pretty pissed about having to be here. I step into the foyer and notice the light is on in the study, and the TV is on. Chloe lies asleep on my small loveseat. Her hair is spread out over the cushion, and my cock twitches and stands to attention. I want to see that dark hair like a waterfall on my ivory pillow. I adjust my cock, willing the erection to stand down. "Chloe?"

She snuggles more against the arm of the furniture making small sounds.

I wonder what sounds she'd make with my cock inside her? Get a grip, she can't stand you. "Chloe?"

This time, she doesn't move at all.

She's changed into the clothes I gave her. My t-shirt has never looked so good or been so lucky to be spread across her beautiful breasts. My hands envy my shirt. I sigh. She can't sleep here. Glancing at the hallway leading to my guestroom, I will my head to not pound before I bend down, wrapping my arms around the sleeping angel and pick her up. She's making those soft sounds. Man, if she wakes up, and I'm carrying her, she's going to scold me like a child. I smirk. I have always had a fantasy of fucking the teacher. There's enough light in the hallway that I can see the entire guest bedroom. I'm not sure I've been in here more than a few times. I lay her down on the bed and pull the comforter over her body. I kiss her forehead and mutter. "Sleep well."

I walk back down the hall and reach for the remote in the study to turn off the TV. I step into the kitchen, noticing my phone, I power it on. Shit. I've got a lot of missed calls and texts. I click on my text from Travis. "Well, shit." I click on the most notorious paparazzi site and cringe. "Lily is going to cut off my balls. Damn it." The webpage shows a video montage of my more foolish exploits over the last few years. A photo of me and the three women in the fountain makes me laugh. "Ouch." Note to self, don't laugh. It hurts. Serves you right, dumbass. The recording has my voice. "The ladies and I wanted to go for a swim, but this was closer than the pool."

The narrator drones on as I click on the next box. "We all know if this behavior was done by a less popular and less rich public figure, he would be ostracized, but instead people find the bad image endearing."

"Screw off. If I weren't who I am, no one would care." I scroll through the other texts and answer some. My stomach growls as I get up to walk to the refrigerator. I open the fridge to find more food in my refrigerator than I've ever seen in it: chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, eggs, cubed steak, bacon, sausage, and fruit. I shrug as I grab a package of lunchmeat and the jar of mayo. When was the last time I had a homemade sandwich with mayo? An image of my mother comes to mind. Certainly, before mom died. I survey the counter. Where would the little minx put bread? I open up the cupboard by the fridge to find two different loaves of bread. Well, at least I won't starve. I make myself a sandwich and grab a soda. Something else I rarely have. Swigging the cool beverage, I smile. I forget how much I love soda. Walking to my room and eating the sandwich, I grimace at the four missed calls from my coach. "Fuck." I turn off my phone and put it on the nightstand. This is a problem for tomorrow.

CHLOE

I stretch. Oh, this feels nice. I move around, waking myself up with a sense of unease. This isn't my bed. My eyes peek open. I bolt upright and scan the room. The guest room? How the hell did I get here? I was watching TV. I lift the comforter. Whew. I'm still dressed. I take a cleansing breath. Like he'd undress me. I squinch my face at the thoughts creeping into my mind. Why the hell do I want that annoying man? I throw off the comforter and trudge into the bathroom. Sighing, his image comes to my mind. I don't sleepwalk, so I'm pretty sure he brought me in here. I stretch my neck as I walk back into the room. At least the bed was comfortable. The room looks like a hotel room with a queen size bed and matching furniture. It's painted a soft gray with a navy-blue comforter and pillow shams. Somebody actually decorated the two bedrooms, unlike the rest of this condo that looks like a frat house. My phone buzzes. "Hello, Mia."

"Hey. I wanted to let you know Freya is having a great time. Gramps took the kids out riding this morning. Don't worry, all the kids have one of the ranch hands riding with them on their horse."

"Thanks. Freya loves horses." I wish I'd been there to see my beautiful daughter on a horse.

"I spoke to Kylie, and she'll bring Freya to you tomorrow afternoon when she takes her kids home. Lily mentioned she won't be able to find someone to take your place until Sunday afternoon."

I click on my messages. "Yeah. I see that. Great. Thanks, Mia."

"Is everything okay?"

"It's weird being here in his condo. We weren't friends in high school, and we aren't friends now."

"You can tell me all about it when we get together this week for happy hour."

"Yeah. Bye."

"Bye."

Clanking in the kitchen catches my attention. I glance at the end of the bed to see a t-shirt and drawstring shorts neatly folded with a note saying there are hygiene products in the shower. So, he brought me to bed, left soap and stuff in the shower, and then gave me clean clothes to wear. Somebody needs to talk to him about boundaries, and I'm not going to thank him for his efforts. I use the restroom, noticing the shampoo and soap in the shower. I'll grab a shower after breakfast. Finger-combing my hair in the mirror, I shrug. I look like I'm doing the walk of shame after a night of no sex. Pfft. I walk down the hall to the kitchen.

Drew is dancing, shirtless, holding a spatula over the stove. Oh my God, he's hot. Fuck, really make my panties wet, hot. Why does he have to be such a douche canoe? I lean against the counter. I'd love to rub my hands over that muscular back. Crap. What am I thinking? What is wrong with me? The little voice in my head scoffs. You need to get laid.

Drew turns and catches me staring. "Hi."

I strain to move my eyes from his glorious pecs front and center to the eyes staring at me from the other side of the kitchen counter. "Um." His chest is better than every men's underwear billboard I've ever seen. And he's got a hell of a lot more than a six-pack. That's a twelve-pack leading to a happy trail of hair to his cock, beneath his shorts. I finally peer into his amused eyes.

"Like what you see?"

My mouth opens and closes, unable to respond. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

Drew grins. "You're so hot for me you're tongue-tied. That's sweet."

"You're so full of yourself. I'm just tired."

He chuckles. "Tired, huh? Sure." He turns and waves his hand over the counter. "I made breakfast. I hope you like to eat. I'm starved."

"Wow. You can cook?"

"Nah, I don't cook, but breakfast isn't that complicated. Take a load off."

I climb up onto a bar stool and reach for a glass of orange juice. "Thank you for making breakfast."

"Of course, baby. Let me serve it up." He places the platter of pancakes next to the bacon, sausage, and eggs on the counter. "Do you want fruit or syrup for your pancakes?"

I use my fork to stab two off the pile. I grab the berry dish and scrape a few onto my plate. "Fruit is good." I pop a berry into my mouth and savor the sweet taste. "You wouldn't even have berries if I hadn't had groceries delivered."

"Yeah. Thanks for that."

My eyes drift back to his sculpted chest. What would it be like to run my nails around the muscles? My focus moves to his nipples. I'm surprised he doesn't have a nipple ring.

Drew laughs. "A nipple ring, huh?"

Shit, I didn't mean to say that out loud.

"I'd never desecrate this temple with a piercing."

"You desecrate it with God knows what else."

"You're really interested in my body, aren't you?"

I chew on the pancake, scrambling in my brain, trying to get out of this conversation. "When was the last time you took pain meds for your head?"

"Not since yesterday. It doesn't hurt as bad as it did."

Does that mean I can bail and go home? My eyes flick to his face, which has a shit-eating grin.

"I hope you're not thinking you can leave me. I might have a relapse."

I'm thinking my being here has been totally unnecessary. But Lily's my boss. "Okay. Have you touched base with Lily?"

He stops the fork midway to his mouth. "Um no. She's pissed. I'd rather not step into that difficult situation this morning. You mentioned her kid is sick."

I nod, setting my fork on my plate as I glance up at his questioning face. "What?"

"Tell me about your daughter." He leans back on the barstool, crossing his arms like he's getting ready to interrogate me. "Who's the daddy?"

"A man from college."

"Where is he now? Are you still with him?"

"No."

He tips his head and his face softens. "Come on, Chloe. I'm interested. What happened?"

"Seriously? We're sharing now?"

"Well yeah. I know I was a dick to you in high school. In my defense, I was dumb enough to think it was funny. I didn't figure out until later that it was hurtful. Not everyone likes my annoying personality."

"You're kidding, right? My breaking down in tears when you and your friends humiliated me wasn't enough for you to realize what you were doing was hurtful? Damn, you're stupid." I stand up and take my plate and glass to the sink, setting them down gently even though I'm gritting my teeth because it would be therapeutic to drop them and have them smash into a dozen pieces. I look up and freeze.

Drew is sitting still. I don't think I've ever seen him not moving, especially his stupid mouth. He sits there with a thoughtful expression on his face, and my heart cracks the smallest amount.

"I'm sorry."

My breath catches in my throat and my brain races to wrap itself around the words. I didn't know a heartfelt apology from my high school bully could carry so much weight. "Why?"

"I didn't realize at the time that I was being mean and hurting you. It makes little sense, but I thought I was doing you a favor by pointing out you needed to lose weight. You were a bit chunkier than you should be and life is harder for fat chicks."

"Wow. Just when I thought you weren't a total douche canoe, you bring me back, smack me in the teeth, and remind me that you're scum." I walk around the counter to head back to the guest room. He reaches for my arm and pulls gently as I whip my hand around and slap his cheek with a loud smack.

Drew recoils and his hand slips off my arm, raising to his face. "Well, that doesn't help my headache."

A brief moment of regret bubbles up as my inner voice scoffs. I don't turn around. I just flip him the bird with a loud, "fuck you." I keep my pace slow and deliberate. Do not hurry. Show no regret. Get to the bedroom and close the door. I walk into my temporary room and gently pull the door to a quiet click. I dart into the adjoining bathroom and strip off my clothes. I need to wash off my past. Turning to close the door, my breath catches. Drew stands in the doorway with a sad appearance. I scream, while pulling my knee forward in front of my other leg and using my forearm to cover my breasts. "Get the fuck out!" Oh God, you can't see me naked. That fight-or-flight thing that everyone talks about is hitting me hard. "I mean it. Get out!"

He holds up his hand in silent resignation. "I deserved that slap. I'm sorry." He takes a step forward. "I'm, what did you call me? A douche canoe? Good word, by the way."

"It's a phrase, dumbass." I stand, feeling the blush creep up my body, fighting embarrassment. I bite my lower lip. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to apologize."

"You should take out a fucking billboard with an apology for all the shit you do on every given day to unsuspecting people."

Drew's face brightens with a huge smile. "Damn, you've got a smart mouth."

"Yeah. You'd rather have it wrapped around your cock. I know the saying." Oh shit, Chloe.

"You've fantasized about putting my cock in your mouth, I take it."

"Dream on. It's just the next phrase that was going to come out of that mouth of yours."

He chuckles, and my body reacts without my permission. My core warms, and moisture coats the apex of my legs.

Drew licks his lips. "I can tell you want me. Your eyes are dilated, and your face is flushed."

"I'm angry, dumbass, and fucking embarrassed to be standing here naked."

He shakes his head as his eyes cast up and down my body. "That's not all you're feeling." He grabs his erection through his sweat shorts. "I'm feeling it, too. Trust me, my cock is fighting me to come out and play."

No. I will not let this man in. "Get the fuck out of here. I want to shower. You want to stare at a naked woman, call one of your groupies, or go watch porn."

Drew throws up his hands, and his smile dips just a tad. "Yes, baby. You enjoy that shower." He exits the bathroom, closing the door with a thunk.

I move to the door to the small lock on the knob and turn it, catching my reflection in the mirror. You told him.

DREW

I sit myself down on my very expensive and comfortable sectional and snag the remote. I grab the controller to my console to fire up my game. My ears seek sounds from Chloe's room. She's going to leave because I embarrassed her. I run my palm around my erection. Did you see those breasts? Damn, I'd love to slide my cock between them. She'll never let me do that, especially after I caught her naked. A lightbulb goes off in my brain, and I set down my controller. I grab my phone. I wonder how long it will take to get a clothes delivery?

I'm moving before the second knock hits the door. The usual security guy with a plastic bag in his hand has a huge smirk on his face. "This came for you downstairs." He holds up the bag from Angelica's boutique in the Quad.

"Thanks." Just smile and nod. He works for the security firm, so he won't say anything. I nod to the amused guy as he closes the door. I walk down the hall and stand, listening at the guest room door. No noise. She couldn't have snuck out. Maybe she's resting. She said she was still tired. I tap on the door. I'm probably knocking too lightly if I'm being honest. I hold my breath as I turn the knob slowly and peek inside. Chloe is under the covers on her bed, breathing just loud enough for me to realize she's sleeping. I glance around and decide to put the bag on the end of the bed. I watch Chloe as she sleeps. Oh man, she's naked. My cock stiffens. Get out. If she catches you in the room, she'll call Lily, and Lily will drop you as a client. I move toward the door, picking up my feet to lessen the noise and step through the door. The door clicks as I release the handle. Whew. I got out clean. I head back to the living room. Time to find someone to "one v one me" at video games. I grab my phone and text my usual group to see who's available to play.