Читать книгу Playing With Desire - Reese Ryan - Страница 16
ОглавлениеMaya’s eyes fluttered open. Her cell phone blared, each note a rubber mallet hammering her skull.
Heavy drapes filtered the light coming in through the large windows of what clearly wasn’t her tiny, dark apartment bedroom. She lay tangled in a soft blanket, cashmere maybe. Her dress lay neatly across a chair in the corner, and she was wearing an oversize T-shirt.
Maya rolled toward the sound of Kendra’s ringtone. Her cell phone—perched on the nightstand—stopped ringing, giving her pounding head a reprieve. She’d had a lot to drink. No wonder she felt like hell. Probably looked it, too.
Shrugging off the cover, Maya pressed a palm to her forehead and grunted. Kendra called again. She pulled herself upright and reached for the phone.
“Yeah?” was all she could manage.
“Maya, I’ve been calling you all morning.” Kendra was in full panic mode.
“Sorry. Lost track of time,” she mumbled, pulling the phone away from her ear. Asking Kendra to tone it down would have the same effect as poking a bear in the eye. “What time is it?”
“After noon. You were supposed to call two hours ago. I was one more unanswered call away from sending the cops to see your friend, Liam. That’s where you are, I assume.”
“Yes.” I think so. Maya opened her eyes again and glanced around the room. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t sleep with him.”
“I’m not angry because you spent the night.” Kendra drew in a deep breath. “I’m upset because you promised to call so I’d know you were okay, but then you didn’t. It’s not like you. I was worried.”
“I overslept, that’s all. I promise you, everything is fine. All right?”
Kendra huffed in relief. “As long as you’re...wait, what do you mean you didn’t sleep with him? You’re just camping out at his house having a slumber party?”
“Something like that.” Maya glanced toward the door. Footsteps approached. “Look, I gotta go. I’ll call you when I get home, okay?”
“And exactly when will that be?” Kendra prodded.
There was a knock at the door. “Hold on a sec,” Maya whispered into the phone, and then pressed it to her chest. “Yes?”
“Is it okay if I come in?” Liam’s voice sounded huskier than it had the night before.
Maya ran a hand through her hair and wiped her face. Hopefully, she didn’t look half as bad as she felt. She opened the door and let him in.
He stepped inside, hovering inside the doorway. The ice had worked. His cheek looked better. The fitted T-shirt and slim navy khakis he wore accentuated his athletic build. “Wanted to check on you. Did you sleep okay?”
“Yes, thank you. Can’t believe I slept so late.”
“You probably don’t usually have a night like last night either.”
“A night like what?” Maya could hear Kendra’s muffled voice coming from the phone.
“Oh geez.” She held up a finger. Liam nodded. “Kendra, I’ll call when I’m back home.”
“What did he mean by—”
Maya ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed. “That was my sister. I was supposed to call this morning.”
“She must’ve been worried.”
“She was, but everything is fine now. Sorry I slept so long. I’ll be out of here in a few minutes. Mind if I use your restroom?”
“Of course not. I left fresh towels for you. In the meantime, I’ll make some espresso. That always makes me feel better after a late night out.” He turned to leave, calling over his shoulder, “Let me know if you need anything else.”
Maya cleared her throat. “You wouldn’t have an extra toothbrush, would you?”
He grinned. “Already on the counter. See you in a bit.”
“Thanks for understanding about last night, and for not taking advantage of the situation. I don’t do my best thinking after a night of drinking.” She cringed at the rhyme, hoping he didn’t think she was trying to be funny.
He nodded and closed the door behind him.
* * *
What did she think he was, an ill-bred barbarian? He wanted her, certainly. But he’d never take advantage of any woman. He was pretty straightforward about what he wanted.
Well, not always.
He hadn’t been forthcoming regarding his real objective in bringing her back to his place last night, but she was no naive teenager. He hadn’t minced words where his desire for her was concerned. After that kiss they shared on the dance floor, it was clear she wanted him, too.
Liam grabbed the coffee filter and ground his favorite organic espresso roast. He locked the filter into place and watched as the thick, fragrant espresso streamed into two shot glasses. The kiss they shared on his sofa replayed in his mind nearly as vividly as when it happened.
“Smells fantastic.” Her voice startled him out of his daze.
“Wait until you have a sip.” He turned to face her. Stripped down to a hint of lip gloss, her face was still luminous and her skin was practically flawless. “What can I get you? Espresso? Latte? Mocha latte?”
“You can do that?” She glanced around the kitchen, with its expensive, professional-grade appliances. The only items he used were the espresso machine and the microwave.
“I can, and you’re going to love it.”
“A mocha latte, then, please.” She placed her clutch on the counter and climbed onto the stool.
“Coming right up.” He grabbed the milk from the fridge and poured it into the frothing pitcher.
“Thank you for the toothbrush. Lucky thing you had an extra one, huh?” Her teasing tone countered her statement.
“Indeed.” He pursed his lips, trying not to smile. So maybe he did purchase toothbrushes and condoms in bulk. One never knew when an opportunity for an unexpected frolic might arise. Better to be prepared, and he was. Always.
Breakfast fare, on the other hand, he kept in short supply. Make an overnight visitor breakfast, and you might as well offer her an invitation to move in. Sharing a morning meal at his place after a night in the sack with a virtual stranger was against his unwritten policy. Instead, he supplied a strong cup of coffee. One that made her sober enough to want to head home. Of course, if a woman was at his apartment the next morning, she’d usually shared his bed the night before. So he found himself in unfamiliar territory.
He needed a reason for her to stay.
“I kept it. The toothbrush.” She patted her purse. “It was better than the one I have at home, and it’s not like you’re going to give it to someone else.”
“Well, if you approve of my taste in dental sundries, you’re going to love my selection of caffeinated beverages.” He whisked in the chocolate powder, added the milk and finally, the froth. Then he created a swirly leaf pattern before setting the cup on a saucer in front of her. “Try this.”
She picked up the steaming cup and blew across the top of it. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the little O her mouth formed. She made the most innocent gestures erotic. His body tensed.
“Mmm...” She pulled the cup from her lips, her eyes closed. He shuddered a little. “This is good. I’m impressed.”
Oh, I haven’t even begun to impress you.
“Excellent.” He turned back to the machine and made a café Americano for himself.
They sat at the breakfast bar drinking their coffee. Liam cleared his throat and shifted on the bar stool. “What do you think of breakfast?”
“Is that an invitation, or are you asking my opinion on the benefits of breakfast in general?” She took another sip of her mocha latte.
He laughed. “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?”
“No,” she said. “I don’t think I am.”
* * *
“It’s an invitation,” he said. “I was just about to order breakfast. Brunch, actually. You’re welcome to... I mean, I’d like it very much if you’d stay.”
She bit her lip, her heart beating faster as she searched his eyes. They enjoyed each other’s company last night. After she turned him down, he’d shown her his jazz collection. He was a purist who collected the classics on vinyl like her dad. She’d thumbed through the album covers that were so familiar to her. Miles Davis. Charlie Parker. Dave Brubeck. John Coltrane. Ella Fitzgerald. They listened to some of their favorites on his high-tech wireless record player while sharing fruit, cheese and an unbelievably good bottle of wine. Even then, she’d been reluctant to finally say good-night. Still, maybe it was better for both of them if she didn’t stay.
“C’mon. You won’t regret it.” The man was charming and slightly irresistible. Besides, what did she have to do that was more important? Without the girls, her weekend plans consisted of doing laundry, some neglected dusting and cooking a meal for one.
She took another sip of her mocha latte and raised her eyes to his.
“Brunch would be nice.”
