A man’s shirt. A nameless, faceless man I don’t remember bringing home, or getting naked with, or getting into bed with. And he’s still here. Facing him won’t be awkward at all.
I snatch it up and quickly pull it over my head before I ease out of bed. I’m doing my version of the walk of shame to my own damn bathroom. I am pathetic. I close the bathroom door and lock it behind me before digging the Advil out of the cabinet. I take a long, hot shower, letting the water spray all over me and wash away whatever happened last night. I feel more human, not quite fully human yet, but at least more human, after my shower.
After I brush my teeth, comb my hair, and wrap a towel around it, I put on my robe and take a deep breath before stepping back into my bedroom.
And I freeze dead in my tracks.
Luke is sitting up in my bed, leaning against my headboard, wearing a stupid, shit-eating grin. Of all people, why did I have to bring him home with me?
“Good morning, sunshine,” he has the audacity to smile at me and sound chipper. “How are you feeling?”
“Better after a long, hot shower.” Even to my ears, my voice sounds flat and devoid of emotion. It’s the only way I’m keeping them in check. My head is precariously balanced on my shoulders right now, and I’m desperately trying not to disrupt that balance.
His smile widens, and his voice drops to a low, sexy rumble as he answers. “Good. I was afraid you’d feel rough. Does that mean you’re up for a late-morning repeat of last night?” He pulls the covers back on my side of the bed and pats the mattress, inviting me to climb back into bed.
Not one to back down, I can’t help but take this moment to burst his enormous ego bubble.
“Actually, I was hoping you could help me with that, Luke,” I say as I move to sit exactly where his hand was, forcing him to move it out of the way.
His smile instantly fades, but he isn’t giving up yet. He furrows his brows and crinkles the corners of his eyes. “Help you with what, exactly?”
“I’m afraid I don’t remember anything from last night. How we got here. Where my clothes went. How we got into bed together…” I leave it there, knowing he’ll take full advantage of my alcohol-induced amnesia.
“Oh, yeah, baby, I can definitely try to help refresh your memory.” He slowly leans toward me, and I know he expects me to jump back.
Sorry to disappoint you, buddy.
“Well, what’s strange is—I’m not sore at all. So if we had sex, as you’re implying, I guess that means you have a tiny penis and I didn’t enjoy it much. If that’s the case, then no, I’m not up for a repeat of last night. One disappointment is enough for me. Thanks for the offer, though. I admire how you don’t give up. Can I call you a cab to get home, or do you have your car here?”
I keep a straight face while waiting for him to digest everything I said. It takes about ten seconds before I see the red creeping up his neck, spreading until it takes over his entire face, ears, and head. The low, mean growl comes first, and then his thundering roar follows soon after. If my head felt just a little better, I’d be more amused. But it isn’t bad entertainment, considering my current hangover.
This time, when he lunges for me across the bed, I jump up and scoot across the room, far away from him.
“Something you’d like to say, Luke?” I ask innocently.
“Say? Oh, no. I have nothing to say, Andi. But I have something to show you,” he says, challenging.
I sigh dramatically. “Luke, seriously, we don’t have to go through this again. Your secret’s safe with me. I promise.”
And now I know how fast the big guy really is. He’s out of my bed and has me pinned against the wall before I can even scream. Not that I would have screamed, because my head isn’t quite ready for that yet.
He grabs my wrists and pushes my arms up over my head, pinning them to the wall. The gleam in his eye is wild, dangerous—and sexy. He presses closer, deliberate and unmistakable, his intent clear without a word. Then he growls into my ear. “Baby, if I’d crossed that line last night, you wouldn’t be questioning it this morning.”
A shudder runs down my spine, and goosebumps ripple across my skin at his words, his insinuation, and his possessiveness. Right now, I’m not thinking about my throbbing head, since other parts of my body are throbbing in very different ways. I’m glad he has me pinned to the wall with his weight. Otherwise, my knees would already have buckled, and I’d be a quivering mess on the floor.
Excuse me while I interrupt these thoughts to return to the angry man in front of me.
He’s still in challenging mode, daring me to dispute his alpha-male, Neanderthal ways with empowering words. I answer him with my full-blown, megawatt smile, neither laughing nor mocking him, but letting him know I’ve just totally played him. His eyes narrow as he studies me for a few seconds before realization and understanding cross his face.
“You play a dangerous game, little girl,” he snarls, though with far less venom than just a minute ago.
“You started this game, little boy,” I chide gently, raising my chin in defiance.
He shakes his head, and I feel more than hear the rumble of his light chuckle as it ripples through his chest. A chest that I have to say is impressive, now that I’m getting a look at it while he stands in front of me wearing only his boxer briefs. Nice, very, very nice.
He widens his stance to make us more even in height and rests his forehead against mine. He’s staring into my eyes, and when he speaks, the sincerity in his voice is clear. “I’m sorry, Andi, for being such a jerk. Can you forgive me? Give me a chance to make it up to you?”
LUKE
