“Are you going to pretend you’re still asleep?” Luke’s husky, sexy voice filtered through the air. His words hit me like a scream of pure torture, each one hitting me in the chest with a deepening force.
I wasn’t with the girls.
This was a reality.
I was with Luke.
“Luke, I can explain.” I threw the covers back in haste and dived out of the bed, landing in a tousled pile on the floor, hitting my leg on the way down on the sideboard. “Motherfucker.” I grabbed my calf and rubbed the area, rocking myself back and forth with gritted teeth as I gazed up and noticed Luke had rolled over to the edge of the bed and was peeping with concern at me.
“Are you okay? Do you need me to grab the first aid kit?” Luke questioned, mocking me as he leant up on his elbows. I couldn’t help the urge as my tongue darted out and licked my lips. I gazed at that luscious bare skin, tempting me just inches away from me that made me forget about the sudden throb in my leg but the painful one that twitched in my trousers that was desperate for relief. I wanted to lick down the column of Luke’s neck and taste his slightly parted lips, that were open and waiting for my tongue. Taste, I mean, what world was I living in?
“I’m fine,” I snapped, jumping to my feet, wincing at the sudden quick movement I’d made, grabbing my head with one hand in the process as I held back the ball of sickness in my stomach. I patted my hand around in search of a stand, a dresser. I mean, anything that would hold my weight upright for a few moments whilst I gathered myself together so I didn’t fall straight back on my face with the spinning of the room. “I just need a minute.”
“Or ten. Just come and lay back down for a minute.” Luke brushed his hand past mine, reaching for my wrist. I froze at the contact as he fluttered his eyelashes and our gazes locked together.
The sensation was too intense as the fire sparked the embers I didn’t want to fan down. I battled the inner voices talking inside my head and I knew that whatever I decided, I was fucked. I mean, it would be best for my self-worth and current well-being to run, even if my head may not stand the journey; even though the temptation of the hot man laid in the bed screamed just get in. I mean, the damage had already been done looking at the state I was in. Buttons open, belt somewhere I didn’t know, shoes off and I was in Luke’s bed.
I had to get out of here and now. I couldn’t put any rationality into my thoughts with his presence being so close. I needed time to process this. I mean, I’d broken every damn rule I’d created to protect myself against ending up in a predicament like this. I mean, rule one: don’t sleep with a colleague, let alone stay. I’m such an idiot.
“Last night Luke… I mean… I’ve got to go,” I mumbled, pulling back from his hold, concentrating on my breathing and keeping the sickness from expelling. Just hold it in until I got home. “Thanks…”
“Freddie… don’t do this,” Luke pleaded, sitting up and allowing the covers to fall to his waist as I spotted my shoes. Bingo. “Let’s just take a minute, shall we, and talk about last night?”
“No need.” I let the foul tasting lie fall from my lips as I grabbed my shoes and put them on. “I think we should have done more of that last night.”
I headed to the door, ignoring Luke’s calls behind me and his words to just stop and listen. If I did, then I may just question myself. I knew he was getting more irate and one second of my time could calm him, but I was a selfish bastard. I wasn’t someone who let a guy in. So, I did what I knew best. I ran.
* * *
“God, isn’t he a sight for sore eyes this morning?” Chrissie laughed, holding onto Isobel’s arm as she pointed at me with her free hand. “I’m glad we came past on the way to work. I owe you coffee today.”
“Hell yeah you do. I mean, there was an off chance Fred wouldn’t have been here.” Isobel wiggled her eyebrows up and down. “I mean Fred, you were caught up with that hot new bartender, Luke. Please tell me all the gossip.”
“Shh,” I cut in, grabbing my keys out of my pocket and pointed upwards with my index finger as I placed them in the lock. “I need a shower, painkillers and food. In that order. Then we can talk on the way to work.”
“Deal.” Isobel bounced on her toes. “I’ll make my hangover cure for you. Chrissie…” She glanced over with a smile. “Want to grab the painkillers and then make that killer smoothie of yours?”
“Damn right. I can’t wait to see this.” Chrissie beamed. “Green and tasty is my specialty.”
“Urgh, my stomach. Let me in quick.” I fought back the sickness and ran through the now opened door and up the flights of stairs to my apartment. I got the key in the door and left it open for the girls as I made it to the bathroom with seconds to spare.
“Well, at least it looks like you had a good night, Fred.” Isobel let out a giggle as I came out of the bathroom, wiping my face. “Go and clean up and leave us two to get started. I mean, we can’t get up to too much mischief and we do need to get to work.”
“I get it. I get it. Hurry my ass up,” I snapped as I grabbed the outstretched glass of water from Chrissie and painkillers in hand. “Lifesaver.”
“I thought I’d change your plans around. I mean, give the pills time to work. Now get that ass in that shower. Get changed and dressed. Breakfast will be waiting,” Chrissie chided, as she yanked off her coat and threw her bag on the sofa, before rolling up the sleeves of her shirt and making her way in search of supplies in the kitchen cupboards. “I mean, hurry up or I’ll send Isobel in with the pans banging.”
“Yes mom. I’m off.”
I turned on the spray of the shower and allowed the temperature to heat up as I pulled off last night’s clothes. I jumped in and allowed the heat to hit my skin full pelt as I turned my head up towards the spray and ran my hands through my hair. I wanted the raw, harsh heat to beat down on my skin in the hope it would jog my memory of last night more. I wanted the pieces to start to fit together better and be less blurred. It’s not like my cock was taking any less notice of the situation; any thought of Luke and it grew hard and thick, desperate for him. I mean, no other guy had done this to me. I’d had one great night and then I moved on. That’s how I worked. So why did things seem so different with him? I mean, we’d been drunk and the fact I had to see him at work soon may contribute to the fact. I hadn’t left his place in a great way. Actually, I’d been a prick.
How did I find myself in such a mess? I’d have to ask Everleigh for her words of wisdom later. I know Isobel and Chrissie would have a word or two to add for good measure, too.
“Fred, if you don’t get your ass out here, I’m coming in,” Isobel shouted, knocking loudly on the door. “How long does it actually take to have a shower? I’d be out of hot water…”
“Don’t you dare…” I screeched the moment the water turned to ice and Isobel cackled loudly. “Isobel, I’m going to get you back for that.”
“You can once you’re ready. Get your arse dressed and ready. Now.”