Boss: I’m sorry. What now? Have you lost your mind?
Me: Maybe. But I don’t care. You can dock my pay or whatever, but I’m not helping that fucker. He assaulted her, and she tried to report it. I’ll be here ensuring she’s safe.
The response comes even quicker this time.
Boss: HE was the paying client. Not her. You comfy taking this job pro bono because of your sudden morals?
Me: YES.
Boss: Fine. If you’re wrong about all this and thinking with your cock, it’ll be your ass.
Me: Fair enough.
I tuck the phone away and lean back in the chair, letting my head fall against the wall. I need to get some sleep if I’m going to be any good tomorrow.
From Claire’s room, I hear the soft rustle of sheets. She’s settling back in. Hopefully finding some peace.
I just fucking hope my dreams can play nice with me tonight. Because I’m not looking to wake up hard and aching, with Claire’s name on my lips.
4
Alec
My dreams did not, in fact, play nice with me.
When I wake up in the morning and look around, it takes me a second to remember that I’m sitting in Claire’s chair in the hallway of her townhouse.
Once I place where I am, I cast a glance toward her. She’s still sleeping in her bed, safe and sound, just like I left her. But echoes of my dreams haunt me as I watch her.
Images of everything I wanted to do to her—and would never allow myself to enjoy—spun through my unconscious mind all night.
With a sigh, I stand up, stiff and achy as hell from falling asleep in the damn chair instead of a proper bed. Nothing a few good stretches won’t work out.
I pull my arm over my head and then the other, waking up my muscles. It’s early as hell, and I need coffee if I’m going to get anything done today.
I head to Claire’s kitchen and go through the cupboards until I find a bag of coffee grounds. I pour them into her rickety old coffee maker, wondering if the thing is going to have me chewing my beverage this morning.
“Making yourself at home?”
With a mug in my hands, I jerk as I pull it down from the shelf, nearly dropping it. When I spin around, Claire is behind me, still wearing that oversized tee and nonexistent shorts.
It seems exceedingly unfair that someone who just woke up looks as delectable as Claire does right now.
Her long waves have been pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head, and the oversized T-shirt dangles off her shoulder so I can see her warm beige skin peeking through.
It’s not as cold in here as it was last night, but I can still see the shadow of her nipples through the fabric.
Focus, Alec.
I turn back toward the counter and set my mug down, using it as an excuse to tuck my erection into my waistband before facing Claire again.
“Trust me. You don’t want me going any longer without caffeine.”
“Well, I hope you made enough for both of us.” She makes a face—this combination of annoyance and harmless teasing. “Because I’m not sacrificing the last of my coffee to you.”
I turn back toward the bag of grounds and give it a shake. She’s right. There isn’t much left.
Reaching up for another mug, I take down a smaller one—just as Claire steps forward to grab it herself.
