Page 10

COREY

I’m pretty sure that I should feel some sense of relief or comfort as I walk into my flat after my shift at the studio, but with all my shit in boxes and my looming eviction, I can’t find it in me to want to be here.

I should be living the life right now. That’s exactly what I tell everyone I’m doing, and it’s what they believe.

When Zach flew over to check the place out a few weeks ago, I was terrified he was going to discover the truth and demand he help, and I knew he wouldn’t have stopped until he did.

But I don’t want help. He already pays me healthily for my position here.

He was the one who believed in my dream and allowed it to happen in the first place.

Without him, I’d still be stuck, drowning in my own miserable life.

At least here I get to see the sun and the sand every day.

I pull my fridge open and stare at the empty racks.

Not even a block of moldy fucking cheese.

I fucking hate this, but what choice do I have?

I can’t leave Mum and my sisters; they need me, and I might be all kinds of fucked up, but I’m not him.

I won’t abandon them when they’re at rock bottom. They sure as hell didn’t leave me.

With a sigh, I pull the one bottle of water from the fridge and fall down into the chair, contemplating going to find some dinner.

I’m just about to leave the flat once again when my phone dings with a text.

Pulling it from my pocket, I find an unknown number staring back at me.

Hey! It’s Harlow (from last night). I’d love to see you again. Meet me at The Underground. I’m downstairs x

I reread the message again and again, my brows drawing together. Did her friend give me a fake number? Good job I didn’t message her earlier.

It might be totally unexpected, but fuck if it doesn’t have a little excitement filling my veins.

I’ve hardly stopped thinking about her since the moment she made her excuses last night.

The way her body felt pressed up against mine on that dance floor …

damn. My cock’s getting hard just thinking about it.

Corey: I’ll be thirty minutes.

The message shows as read, but she never replies. Excitement and anticipation race through me. This is exactly what I fucking need.

Without putting any more thought into dinner, I stand and march straight towards the bathroom. If she’s giving me this second chance, like fuck am I going to screw it up.

With the intention of doing everything I can to ensure I end today buried deep inside her and pushing away any thoughts of my reality, I step out of my clothes to freshen up.

After running a little wax through my hair, I slip my feet into my shoes and drop both my wallet and phone into my pocket.

At the last minute, I turn back and grab a few condoms from the dresser.

A smile twitches at my lips as I imagine her laid out before me, her red hair fanning my pillow and her curves on full display.

I look around the room on my way out and tell myself that it won’t be happening here. Fuck the expense; I’ll book us a hotel if I have to. No one needs to see how I’m living right now.

Stepping from my building, I find the Uber I booked waiting for me.

“Evenin’,” I say as I climb in and quickly confirm my destination.

He chats away about my plans, and it only builds my hope that I’m about to end my dry spell with a girl who captured my attention the second she fell into my lap last night.

I could have easily gone and found some pussy since I arrived, but something has stopped me.

The stress from getting the shop off the ground and everything else in life that tries to keep me down, I guess.

This isn’t about romance; I don’t sign up for that shit.

This is about getting what I need—what we both need, if the way her body reacted to mine last night is anything to go by.

The place is packed when the car pulls up out the front, and I end up having to wait to even get inside.

By the time the bouncer lifts the rope and allows me in, I’m desperate for a fucking drink. I make a beeline for the bar and order a scotch. I swallow it down in one, enjoying the burn and waiting for the warmth to hit me.

“Another?” the bartender shouts when I slam the glass down.

Shaking my head, I spin around and go in search of who I really came here for.

I locate the stairs and head down. As I descend, the chaos from above begins to quiet, and when I push through the doors to this section, I find the music is completely different. Gone are the fast-paced club tracks that were filling my ears, and instead a low, sexy R instead, I pick both up and turn. “Let’s go and find somewhere to sit.”

“There’s a quieter section around the corner.”

My eyes drop to her cleavage for a second, and my mouth waters.

“Sounds perfect,” I mutter, my eyes finding hers once more.

Her head tilts to the side, her brows rising in amusement, but she doesn’t say anything.

Instead, she spins and leads the way. I could swear there’s more of a spring in her step than there was earlier.

She comes to a stop beside a sofa that a few people are vacating.

“Here?” she asks.

“I’m easy.”

“Is that right?” The music is quieter back here, so I hear her as I fall down onto the sofa beside her.

“I guess that’s something you’re going to have to find out.” Her cheeks heat, but I don’t miss the darkening of her chestnut eyes.

I slide over so we’re close enough that her bare thigh presses against mine, and I rest my arm over the back of the sofa, temptingly close to pulling her into me.

“So, what’s the occasion?” I ask, changing the topic for fear of coming on too strong and ruining my chances.

“Uh …” She stalls. “No occasion, just a night out to …”

“To?”

She sighs. “Forget.”

“Oh?” I ask, wondering if she’s about to open up. I’m usually not one for all the talk; I’m more of an action guy. But as a conflicted look passes across her face, I can’t help but want to listen to all her worries. “It’s n-nothing. Just family stuff.”

“Ah, now that is something I know all about.” Reaching forward, I grab both of our drinks from the small table in front of us. “To forgetting.” I lift my glass, and after a second, she taps hers to it.

I watch as she brings her drink to her lips and sips. Her eyes shutter slightly as the taste hits her, and I find myself captivated.

“Not thirsty?” she asks when she lowers it once again and notices that I’ve not had any.

“Not so much.” Her eyes run over my face and focus on my lips when I run my tongue over my bottom one. “Last night wasn’t the same after you left.”

“No? Brooke didn’t keep you company?”

I laugh, because I’m sure she happily would have given the chance, but everyone kept her busy chatting and drinking before she had to be escorted into a car to get home.

“No. I was pretty lonely, to tell the truth.” I down my drink before placing the glass on the table and turning my attention to her.

“My heart bleeds,” she says with a smile.