Someday, I’m going to learn to shut my mouth. Today isnotthat day.
As he gets up and presumably strips off his t-shirt and pajama pants, I stare straight ahead at the wall. It might be dark, but I don’t even want the opportunity to imagine I can see anything.
“Thanks,” he says as the mattress dips as he crawls back in. “That’s so much better. I feel like I can move now. Plus, even with the AC, I always sleep hot. Fair warning, I’ll probably kick the blankets off at some point in the middle of the night.”
It’s not fair. This has to be some sort of test. One I didn’t spend enough time studying for. Am I being punished for something I did in a past life?
“Good night.”
“Night.”
Yep, I’m definitely going to fail this exam. What I’m not sure of is whether that’s a bad thing.
9
NIX
My watch buzzes against my wrist with my daily alarm. There’s a weird sensation as I slowly come to, trying to remember exactly where I am. It’s not my bedroom, that much is certain. Then it comes to me in waves.
The water issues at my house.
Staying in the rental unit.
Sharing a bed with Chase.
Chase.
After silencing my alarm, I slip out of bed as quietly as possible, rolling out from under the sheets and landing on all fours on the hard floor.
A bedside rug is going on the shopping list.
As I stand, I can’t help but turn to look at the bed. Only to make sure I didn’t wake Chase.
Nothing, and I do mean nothing, could have prepared me for what I find.
There’s Chase, face down in the bed, ass fully on display. And let me tell you, even covered by black briefs, it’s a thing ofbeauty. Perfectly round. I finally understand what people mean when they say someone could bounce a quarter off it.
I could bounce a lot of things off that bubble butt. And there are so many other things I’d like to do to it.
So, so many.
He snorts and starts to roll, so I do the only thing I can think of.Hide.
Flat on the floor, as close to under the bed as I can get, I hold my breath and wait. Of course, finding me like this is going to require a lot of explanation. But I can come up with a fake excuse for this much better than I can for why I’m staring at his practically naked ass while sporting a hard-on.
It must have been at least three minutes since I hid, and there’s been no other signs of movement from the bed.
Okay, now’s my chance. Once I’m safely tucked away in the bathroom, I can get ready for the day and sneak out of the shop to go down to the coffee shop for sustenance. Firehouse cold brew with an extra shot of reality should do the trick.
Ready, set, go.
“There you are.”
Shit.“Oh, um, good morning?”
Chase stares at me from his side of the bed. At least he’s covered by a sheet now. It still doesn’t leave much to the imagination, but it gives me a fighting chance.
“I’m going to go take a shower. Unless you wanted it?”
