“Sleep here, Cherry. We can shower in the morning.”
I fell asleep almost instantly in his arms.
4
Laney
I awoke enveloped in his arms, nearly suffocating with his bulk. He didn’t snore or take up too much of the bed. To my recollection, he wasn’t a blanket hog. But he did sleep on top of my body like you would a lover you knew better than we did each other, at least over twenty-four hours. I delicately removed his muscular limbs from my torso, attempting escape without waking the sleeping giant.
I could bathe and get dressed, hopefully make an exit without having to talk to him. The sex had been so incredible that it frightened me. I wasn’t so sure I wanted my mind and body obliterated like that on a regular basis. Yes, I did. Who was I kidding? His appeal was irresistible. I snuck into the gorgeous bathroom and drew water in the tub, hoping it would be more quiet than the enormous shower. I poured in the luxurious gardenia-scented bubble bath because the room was paid for and somebody should use it.
Slipping into the giant tub was decadent, like biting into an ice cream bar coated in chocolate. I signed out loud and then covered my mouth and giggled. I really shouldn’t drink tequila. Girls’ night out or not, it wasn’t the best decision, because after I few shots, I became a tad bit too bold. Slinking down in the tub, I pulled my head underwater and disappeared in the bubbles. I’d missed my bakery alarm, so the glass countertop in the office would be full of discounted day-olds—that is if they left anything. Clem and Mack had a habit of cleaning us out of leftovers. Today I’d make a lime cake and ice it with pale-green frosting. I could practically taste the combination of sweet and sour dissolving on my tongue.
There was a soft knock at the bathroom door, and the muscles in my stomach clenched. I’d never be able to look this man in the eye, much less make small talk with him.
“I’ll be out in a sec!” I hollered. My voice was hoarse, like I’d been screaming all night. I cleared my throat.
“I’ve got to take a leak.”
“Aren’t there two bathrooms?”
“My bad. You’re right.”
As he walked away from the door, my body relaxed again into the hot water. The tub was huge and the bathroom pristinely beautiful, I could have soaked there all morning, with or without coffee. But if I wanted to save face at all, I need to dash and beeline for the door.
I leapt from the tub and scrubbed down with one of the giant fluffy towels. My body was still responsive, it had been tuned so well the night before. I felt blood rush under my skin as I toweled away the drops of water on my soft and sensitive skin.
He knocked again, and I almost fell over onto the floor. I had to put on stockings and get into that dress again. Do the walk of shame and somehow get to my car. Why the hell did I put myself through this? There had to be an easier way.
“Just a second. I’m changing.” I wondered if I could send him for coffee and then make my escape while he was fetching it. He seemed the type to just order room service. But I could always play high maintenance and request something specific from Starbucks.
I brushed my teeth furiously in the mirror with complimentary amenities, pretending not to hear him.
“Oh God, this is embarrassing,” I heard him mutter. Then it sounded like he clunked his head against the door.
“Is there coffee?” I chanced. “Listen, if it’s too painful, why don’t you pretend to fall back asleep while I creep out?”
He was quiet for a minute and then laughed. “It’s not quite that bad, I hope. I was cursing myself for not remembering your name. Last night was amazing. I’d ask you to do it all over again, but all I can remember is Cherry, and that can’t be right. Listen, tequila and I don’t mix. I won’t forget again.”
Well, who would have thunk that such a well-endowed, wealthy, and not to mention gorgeous man would be remarkably humble, sweet, and even self-deprecating. He couldn’t handle his booze, and the admission was endearing.
“Laney Mills, at your service.”
“Edison Roads.”
I nearly dived back into the bath water. Edison Roads, as in the owner of Roads Automotive. The son of a bitch who was stealing all of my bread-and-butter clients? I rode his dick like a wild woman while he was stealing my business and undermining my value to the community I’d grown up in? My fucking arch nemesis. I’d bake that cake and smash it into his gloating, stupid face—I didn’t care how big his dick was.