When I woke up the next morning, I regretted everything.
Fuck!
My head hurt like hell before I was even fully awake. The pain was likely what woke me up, and it felt even worse when I moved to roll over.
“Ugh.”
It wasn’t just the headache, either. The inside of my mouth tasted like shit. I’d been waking up like this the past week, and every time I got over the hangover, I forgot just how bad it was. I had never been hung-over before in my life, at least before this trip. If I drank alcohol, it was single glass champagne that was never full, at family parties, and I didn’t get to have that until I was nineteen.
Now that I knew how bad hangovers were, not to mention the bitter taste of beer, I wondered why people loved the stuff so much. Since I was going back home soon, I was done with it shortly.
Wait. I’m forgetting something, aren’t I?
How did I get back to my room last night?
I opened my eyes, only to wince and squint. There was light coming in from a set of open curtains, and it felt like getting stabbed in both my eyes and my brain. With another groan, I brought the covers over my head and curled up, forgetting about whatever had me worried before.
Then, I must have fallen asleep, or just blanked out, for some time, because when I woke up again, I could hear sounds. Like, close to me. My head had calmed down a little, and I knew better than to try and move too quickly, so I slowly tugged down the covers so I could see, and my eyes went wide.
“Who are you?” I whispered, quietly starting to freak out in my head.
A man was sitting on the edge of the bed. He had his legs crossed and was leaning an elbow on his knee. There was a mug in one hand, and he was holding his phone with the other.
When he turned around, and I saw his face, last night’s events came back to me, the parts I’d forgotten, at least.
He smirked down at me. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten me, Klara. That breaks my heart, you know?”
I frowned at his mock hurt look because his eyes were laughing at me.
“No, I know who you are,” I muttered.
At least he kept his voice quiet.
“Would you like some painkillers?” he offered. “And a glass of water? I figured you’d need them, lucky for you I packed some for this trip.”
“Because you knew you’d get hung over?” I guessed.
He nodded, though his expression looked strange, and a little unhappy.
“Stay where you are. I’ll get them for you.”
He set his mug down on the nightstand. I stayed mostly under the covers as I watched him move around the room. He pulled a suitcase from the closet and fumbled inside the top pocket. Then he opened the second door into the room, leaving the door open. It was the bathroom, and from where I was lying, I could see him. He rinsed out a glass, then poured water into it, and brought both to me.
Probably did it that way so I would see he wasn’t trying to drug me.
I decided it was time to get up, even though I wasn’t sure if I was ready yet. I couldn’t take the painkillers lying down. Still, when I moved, my head throbbed, but I made sure to move carefully. I noticed the light in the room wasn’t as bright as before, too, and saw the curtains were partially closed. I managed to sit all the way up, before I realized it, my eyes widening.
Crap!
“Why don’t I have clothes on?” I asked.
I’d raised my voice a little, and it had my head throbbing again, but I ignored it as best I could as I raised the sheets to cover my chest. I did note with some relief that I at least had my bra and panties still on, so I wasn’t completely naked, but still.
He laughed. “Sure,” he said dismissively. “Are you going to take these or not? Does your head feel okay? You did insist you weren’t drunk last night…”
I scowled at him. It was a bit of a struggle to keep the sheets covering me and reach for the glass and meds at the same time. Too far, and the covers would slip, but he wasn't nice about this either, holding the stuff just out of reach. I gave him a particularly scathing glare, and he chuckled as he finally moved close enough for me to grab them.
The meds were still in their box, and it was ibuprofen. In the back of my head, I couldn’t help hearing my mom’s caution about too much of the drug being detrimental to your health. I was pretty familiar with them since they were what I used… during that time of the month.
I was wild, but still, I hesitated.
“Don’t you have Tylenol? Or even an aspirin?”
His eyebrows jumped up. “Oh, if you plan on having hangovers regularly, or even occasionally, those are drugs you’d like to avoid. They might help a headache, but they’ll give you other problems. Just take them.”
I frowned.
Well, what am I hesitating for, anyway? So what if they mess something up inside me? I’m already messed up.
“Just take one,” he said before I could open the packet. “You can take another later if this one is not enough.”
I just arched an eyebrow at him, and took one pill, then swallowed it back with water. After all, I was familiar with the pills. Usually, I made sure to have some at hand every month, but I’d forgotten this month, with good reason.
Afterward, I set the glass back on the nightstand and brought the covers above my shoulders. I turned back to Jake with narrowed eyes.
“Now,” I said. “You never did tell me how I found myself half-naked in your bed? I’m assuming this is your bed since this is your suite?”
He just grinned. “Right. I ordered breakfast already, but I was waiting for you. Hopefully, it’s all still warm. Just come out when you feel like it.” He turned to head for the door leading to the front room, only to stop and look at me over his shoulder. “Oh, and don’t worry. Nothing happened.”
I growled at his back as he closed the door behind him. He could have said that to begin with so I wouldn’t worry. Then, I sighed and rolled my eyes at myself.
What the hell did I expect, anyway? A guy like that wouldn’t need to trick a drunk woman to go back to his room with him. He probably would have found someone if I hadn't thrown myself at him.
Left alone, I took a minute to look around the room. I figured he’d paid way more than I did for his room. The room was bigger, more luxurious, and several floors above mine. The amount it would cost to stay in a suite like this for just one night was more than I could afford unless I borrowed cash from someone first, so either Jake liked spending money, or he had a lot of it to spare.
And he’s waiting for me on the other side of that door.
There was some hesitation, of course. Jake hadn't done a thing to me, at least I didn’t think he did, but in the end, what else could I do? I was in his room. I was sure he’d just let me go if I asked, but now that a headache was going down, I was starting to feel a little hungry.
At least, I knew to eat and drink a lot of water last night in between the drinks, or I’d be dealing with nausea this morning. After the previous times, I’d looked it up on the internet how to make hangovers easier, and aside from forgetting the painkillers, I must have gotten something right.
In the end, I didn’t have much of choice. Besides, all my cash was gone. I’d have to make a cash withdrawal from my bank to get funds for the trip home since I had no more cash on me. That meant I couldn’t afford breakfast for myself until I found an ATM, and here a guy was, offering me free food.
It couldn’t hurt.
Feeling way better than when I woke up the first time, I slipped out of bed. I had to check out of my room. I wasn’t sure what time, but likely before noon, or I’d have to pay an extra day.
Then, I had to go back home. To face my parents, and other things I’d rather not be facing.
I found my clothes folded at the foot of the bed. I picked up the skirt and eyed it critically. It was short, and I’d needed a lot of courage just to put it on. I’d told myself I would at least try wearing a short skirt once. I definitely wouldn’t be doing it again after this.
Tossing the skirt back to the bed, I went to the bathroom to use the shower. Jake would have to excuse me. I hurried, and was back out in less than ten minutes, wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe. The room was still empty, and I hurried to get dressed. The bra I put back on, and I hesitated a lot, before deciding to put the panties away in my purse. I’d get back to my room and put another pair on; I’d have to worry about the short skirt.
That had probably been one bad idea I should never have tried.
I felt a bit drafty but even better, and I left the room to go get that free breakfast.
I looked up when the door to the bedroom opened. Klara stepped out, fully dressed, with her purse in hand, and her hair was looking a little wet.“So, you finally decided to join me, huh?”Immediately, she frowned. I wondered if she knew, but every time she did that, her lower lip looked like it was sticking out in a pout, making me think she was cute again.“I used your shower,” she muttered. “It took a few minutes. Sorry I didn’t ask first.”I waved the apology away. “No need to say sorry for that. Say sorry for making me wait until the food went cold.”Last night, while she took my bed, I slept on the couch. It was damn uncomfortable, and I woke up early with a crick in my neck. I felt like I didn’t get enough sleep, actually, but it was better than bothering her.Still, I had to wonder when I started turning into a saint.The tray had been set on the coffee table, and I lifted the covers off the dishes. I’d ordered all the stuff that was good for hangovers. Some eggs, toast, slice
He let me go change, but he made me wait for him to finish his breakfast, then as I dumped the plates outside the room for room service, then he followed me back to my room. It was a smaller suite, but it at least had two rooms and a bathroom, and I had him wait in the front room as I changed. I didn’t have time to wash my underwear, so I just folded it and put it far away in my suitcase. I’d have to remember it later. Then, we headed out. “How are we getting there?” I asked. “Do you have a car?” I’d wasted money to get a flight, thinking I’d have to make my way back by bus, since I didn’t think the cash I had would be enough for much, and in the end didn’t last nearly as long as I’d hoped, anyway. It was just about everything I’d been saving up since I got my first job when I was sixteen, but until I finished high school, I used up more than I saved, so while it wasn’t little, it wasn’t a lot, either. When I realized there was not much point in continuing to save it, since I h
Klara was trembling. I’d only kissed her, and I thought she would shake apart in my arms.Damn.What happened to all those innocent intentions I had earlier? I was starting to wonder if I’d had any from the moment she fell into me at the club. Sure, I didn’t try coming onto her before, but that would’ve been in poor taste.She was, however, a beautiful woman that I was spending the day with, and it was obvious the attraction wasn’t just on my part.The first time, she didn’t seem to have any reaction, but that could have been because she was nervous for her first time on a helicopter. Every time after that, though, she’d kept blushing and fidgeting. More than once, I’d caught her staring at me when she thought I wasn’t looking.Honestly, I wasn’t going to try anything. It wasn’t the reason I asked her to go out with me to the Grand Canyon. I did want to see it, and it meant time away from my brother, which was a good thing. But seeing her sweet reactions, I couldn’t help touching her
Lucky for me, the drive was a long one because I could barely feel my legs. We rearranged ourselves after some time, though I somehow ended up sitting in Jake’s lap. He’d explained the instruction given to the driver, but I didn’t much care for the sights.Damn.By the time we made it to the hotel, my body was still singing. My thighs and hips ached, too, and I had to hold onto Jake as he got out of the car and led the way inside. It was all I could do not to walk funny because people would surely notice.Then, the other problem came.Crap.We hadn't used protection, and Jake came inside me, and I could feel it trickle down as I walked. This part of sex, was the part I didn’t like. It could be so messy when you weren’t prepared, and right then, I could only feel disgusted. Jake saw my tight expression. We were in the elevator already, and we were alone, so I was leaning against him and he had his arms tight around me.“Is there anything wrong?” he asked, frowning. “I didn’t hurt you
Something warm was pressed to my chest, and my arm was feeling numb. Those were the thoughts in my mind as I slowly woke up. I remembered yesterday, and when I opened my eyes, Klara’s face was a few centimeters from now. She was still asleep, and I drowsily stared at her for a long moment.Pretty.I pulled my arm from around her to tuck a few stray strands of her hair away from her face so I could stare at her properly.Unfortunately, I couldn’t just keep laying there, because I really needed to go to the bathroom. Klara was laying on my bicep, which was why my arm felt so numb. It was a bit of work, getting her off my arm without waking her, but I managed it and slid off the bed, rubbing my arm with a wince. It was pretty rare that I slept with the women I had sex with, and I wasn’t one for cuddling, either. Still, when I saw her frown and squirm until she was mostly lying in the place I’d just left, clutching the pillow to her face and curling up under the cover, I was tempted to ge
I was slow to wake up. I felt so warm and comfortable that I didn’t want to move. Even when my mind became conscious, I only sighed and hugged tightly at the soft thing in my arms. Then, I remembered last night and frowned.My eyes blinked open, to be met with the hotel’s pristine white pillow. Only, when I moved, there was a suspicious stain on it. I pulled back and rubbed at my chin, sighing when I realized I’d drooled.Well, that is embarrassing.“Jake?” I called out.I realized I couldn’t see him, and rolled around, but he wasn’t behind me on the bed.Could he be in the shower?I listened but couldn’t hear him there. So he was probably in the other room.With another sigh, I slipped out of bed. I was a little disappointed not to wake up with him beside him, but by the light coming into the room, it was likely no longer early in the morning. I headed for the bathroom, unconscious of my naked body. I felt an ache in my hips and between my thighs. When I looked down, I could see some
Though I’d thought of taking a bus ride home, in the end, I decided it was impossible. It would be a long trip, and while I wouldn’t mind the scenic route, I was now impatient to go back. I wanted to see my parents, have a good talk, a good cry, and go to sleep.Lucky for me, I had enough funds to purchase an airline ticket, and more money to pay back. I didn’t like taking loans. I didn’t have a formal job, though I did do some small stuff online that got me pocket money each month so I’d bother my parents less, I was hopeless with loans.I’d have to bother Mom and Dad to pay it back for me, I thought sadly.I wanted to try at least and sleep through the flight, but my emotions weren’t quite stable. I was excited, nervous, anxious, with apprehension growing in the background. I would have to face everything I’d been running from, after all. It wouldn’t be easy, and I did miss my family and friends.Did I make a mistake?I didn’t know how much time I had left. Maybe, instead of wasting
Two Years Later...A knock on the door sounded, and I looked up from the documents on top of my desk to the office door.“Come in,” I called.Mrs. Cove, a woman in her mid-forties with her brunette hair pulled back in a severe bun and dressed in a skirt suit, walked in. She was currently acting as my secretary at the company.“Sir, your meeting with the department heads is in half an hour. Should I go and make preparations now?”“What room are we meeting in?”“The third conference room on this floor, sir.”I nodded slowly. “Thank you, Mrs. Cove. And yes, please start the preparations, I’ll be done before the meeting.”“Of course, sir,” she said.With a short, bowing nod, she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. I frowned down at the documents in front of me, wondering if I could finish this before the meeting, or if I could postpone it until afterward.I glanced at my phone beside my computer keyboard and picked it up. I unlocked the screen and paused for a second, b