A mug of tea sat on the counter, but so did his cell phone. Where could hebe?
I wandered into a laundry room, the wine room, back into his bedroom for the bathroom. Even the guest room wasempty.
“Where could he be?” If there was work, I’d be there too. He likely wouldn’t leave without his cellphone.
I went back to the kitchen and held my hand near the kettle. It was still warm, but not hot. Then I grabbed the mug and took a sip. That wasn’t even warm. And damn, that man needed to add sugar to this. I pulled the tea bag out and tossed it in the trash. So he’d been interrupted while he was drinking tea, but before he could remove the bag. That was a very short window for EnglishBreakfast.
I looked around and caught a pad of paper and pen on the end of the counter. It hadn’t been there the night before. The beautiful man had left me anote.
I picked up the creamy white notepad and scanned it. I blinked and then re-readit.
My Dearest Isobel,
If you are reading this, then I’m gone. Last night when you came to see me I had just realized I am likely going mad. I can’t put you through that, nor can I expect you to care for me after our brief acquaintance. I’m going back to England, and then maybe to America, for medical care. It’s likely the end and I don’t want to put you throughthat.
Please know the few days we spent together were some of the most treasured of my life. And last night was perfect. I hope you were satisfied aswell.
Hope to see you in the nextlife,
Love
DG
Ire-readthe note a third time. “I hope you were satisfied as well.” Like he was requesting a five-star rating on a delivery order. What thefuck?
I tossed the notepad on the counter and stalked through his flat once more. He wasn’t there, but all of his stuff was. His books, everything. Why would he just leave it all and not sayanything?
I didn’t consider myself a difficult woman to talk to, or reason with. With a huff, I grabbed my wallet, keys, and phone, and headed toward the door. It was closed but not locked. He didn’t even bother to lock it with me still asleep in his bed? Anger began to form in my gut, eating away all the post-orgasm euphoria. That bastard would get an earful if I ever saw himagain.
Oh shit,pants.
I shimmied into them and gave his flat one last lingering glance, purposefully avoiding the entryway where he and I shared a few memories, and exited. I closed the door gently behind me and went to the elevator with a knot in my throat. Damn this hurt. Why did I put myself through this? I could have left last night when he’d asked me to a dozen times and saved myself this embarrassment andpain.
I rubbed my chest as if I could get rid of the ache there from the outside. It didn’t budge. Damn bastard. I wanted to think of more colorful curse words for him but the bell dinged and I stepped inside the elevator. The lobby was empty, not even the doorman greeted me when I stepped off theelevator.
Like the whole damn building was conspiring againstme.
I walked home, not wanting to even look at Michael, because he had a hand in this as well. Dragging me to Gray’s place last night. And he’d been right to seek out help for his friend, but damn it, I could have woken up in my own bed, without this ache. I rubbed at it again.You also wouldn’t have had the best sex of your life last nighteither.
Shut up, I grumbled to myself. A passing man eyed me warily. I glared for no other reason than I wanted everyone else to feel as shitty as I did thismorning.
I made it home and again crawled into my bed, letting the chemical spring-scented sheets remind me of home. AndJakey.
I shuffled my arms from under the covers and dialed his number. It took a few seconds for the usual click through but then a busy tone answered. Not once did I ever get a busy tone when he was out of town on a mission. Maybe he was trying to call me. I hung up and waited, staring at the white face for it to light up. Nothing. Absolutely nothing for twentyminutes.
I tried again. Stillbusy.
What the hell? I threw the phone down the bed to land in a pool of covers before tucking my arms back under and clutching the blankets to mychin.
All men were off limits today. I rolled to my back and stared at the ceiling, the movement giving me a twinge in my nether regions. Even my own body was betraying me with reminders ofhim.
Instead of lying in bed all day and wallowing, I shoved the covers back and went to the kitchen. My often-neglected coffee pot sat there calling my name. If Gray didn’t want to be in my life, then screw him. Hisloss.
You didn’t want him in your life first.While technically true, I shoved the thoughts away and focused on the coffee. Last night showed me we had a lot more chemistry than I’d originally expected. Dorian could be irascible and also sweet. Kind and rough. A juxtaposition I needed in a partner. And for a brief moment as I’d rolled over in his bed and remembered last night I thought he might be that partner. That would teach me for making decisions. Back to one night stands and easy lays from nowon.
I grabbed a jar of Nutella and popped up on the counter to wait for the coffee to brew. Two spoonfuls in the pot hissed itscompletion.
The scent of the dark roast I found at a local shop warmed and cheered me a little. Like super-hot water, coffee was another go to perk-up method. With no parents and only my brother to raise me, and me to raise him, I’d developed whatever coping mechanisms I could to handle stress and unhappiness. And being all alone in the world from the time we were both sixteen, we’d had more than our fair share of ups anddowns.
