SIX (I)

It was the doorbell that woke me up that morning.

I stared at the slowly rotating ceiling fan above the bed as I searched my memory for the identity of the stupid sound.

It all came back to me at the same time—everything that happened last night—and I was suddenly out of bed, tripping over the panties that I didn’t get to put back on the night before.

I was out of the bedroom when I realized I only had my nightshirt on.

I went back, got my robe, and frantically wore those, then dashed out again to answer the door.

But I made sure it was him through the peephole first.

“Do you know what time it is?!” I asked the moment I saw him, grateful for what I did last night because he was such a sight in the morning light and it would have been hard to pine for him and be unsatisfied.

“Six,” he replied, his eyes on my face for just a second before they started to explore.

I gulped. I might have found relief too soon.

I suddenly felt naked standing there. I couldn’t complain because as he looked at me like I was going to be his breakfast, I took my time looking over what I wished would be my breakfast.

He was in a gray shirt and running pants, white running shoes, looking freshly showered. The smell coming from him was heady and delicious.

And expensive. Don’t forget expensive.

That didn’t dampen the wanting.

I hadn’t even taken a shower yet, aside from the one I took last night. I was sticky between my thighs before I fell asleep.

“So this is what you look like just out of bed. I’m getting seduced,” he teased.

“Shut up,” I said.

His eyes were abruptly back to my face. I struggled to look mutinous.

“Not a good early riser?”

I nodded, though that wasn’t true at all. I came out looking bedraggled, hair uncombed, face unwashed, for the very reason that I didn’t want him to think I was seducing him like my body wanted to do.

But guess what?

He seemed to like it.

I knew I was more than pretty. Both of my parents were good-looking people. I have been scouted twice for a modeling gig. I wouldn’t have been accepted at Sizzling Grill if I wasn’t easy on the eyes because that was a requirement of the job.

I could see myself in the mirror and I knew how to judge.

That wasn’t a novelty, though, because a guy like him could find beautiful and sexy women in the dozens.

It was just, somehow, he liked me. I was luckily his type and for that, my mother would be treated for free for a whole year, I could finish college, and I’d have cash at the end of the assignment to finish my mother’s treatment or the house mortgage.

I could keep my Nana Maria, too.

It was like winning a mini-lottery.

So why are you grumpy?

“Please come in,” I said.

He would have to make do with my tiny living room. At least, everything was kept clean in my tiny, one-bedroom apartment.

“I like your place,” he said as he came in.

I glanced back at him and winced.

Okay, act like a movie star didn’t just enter your door.

“Thank you. I’ll be back in a moment. Do you think you can operate my ancient coffee maker while I get ready? Have me a mug?”

“I’ll manage,” he said. “We’ll have breakfast in the hotel if that’s okay with you. They have mean sausages.”

I hesitated for a moment. “Sure. Thanks,” I said, went back to my bedroom, and locked the door.

I showered as fast as I could, then put on casual clothes to mimic him—a lady’s t-shirt, ripped jeans, walking shoes. My hair was semi-dry, and I had minimal makeup when I came back down.

I could smell the coffee.

Good. He managed my machine.

I tried not to look at him too much as I walked over to my very tiny kitchen. Or it used to be tiny. Now, it had become very tiny since he came in.

And it wasn’t even because he was tall, but because his virility was so powerful, I couldn’t help but sense it.

My kitchen couldn’t contain him for me. What a surprise.

I should have wakened up earlier and had another go at Mr. Beast, I thought as I felt the warm quiver between my thighs again.

Those orgasms last night should have been enough.

What the eff?

He handed me a mug.

“Thank you,” I said as I got it from him. I shouldn’t have. But it seemed harmless to look up at him.

I did that.

Then I couldn’t take my eyes away.

His hands reached for my waist to pull me close.

“B-Bain?” I whispered. My goodness… my heart was doing flip-flops in its cavity inside my chest, like fish taken out of water.

“Just want to check how being close to you like this feels… you know. We have to practice,” he said, but his voice was low and breathless sounding.

“P-Practice?” I mimicked like an idiot.

His body warmth felt good. I didn’t protest after he took my mug from my hand and let it down on the counter beside his mug.

Then both his arms were around me now.

“Checking the merchandise… you see. You can check me out, too, Gia. Hmm… you smell so damn good.”

I gulped. “Just to let you know… before you start smelling me and all… I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

He looked at me.

Then he got what I was saying.

And his eyes glazed over.