Page 4

Peyton

What the hell did we do last night?

That was the only question that was running through my mind as I watched Clay Harris sleeping beside me. Panic filled me the moment I’d looked over and saw him. I could pretend nothing had happened all I wanted, but the truth was I knew exactly what we’d done last night, because I was sore as hell.

I rolled over and slipped from the bed, my body aching in protest from the number of times we’d had sex through the night and all the positions he’d put me in.

I glanced at the clock on the bedside table; it was close to six thirty, I needed to get the hell out of here. It was Sunday, which meant Knox didn’t have practice, and I knew if I walked through the door after he and Lorelai were up, they’d bombard me with questions. Questions I knew I wouldn’t want to answer.

I tiptoed across the room, grabbing my bra and panties from the floor before slipping out into the hall, closing the door to his room. I made my way to the living room where our little party for two had started and slipped into my pants and shirt. Putting my socks on, I slipped my feet into my shoes, grabbed my purse, and unlocked his door, slipping into the hallway.

I leaned up against the cool wall and took a breath. My heart was beating wildly. What the hell had we done? Kissing him had been one thing, but I’d just slept with one of Knox’s teammates, one of his good friends. I was sure I was going to hell. There was no doubt.

Knox would hate me, especially after he’d made me swear to him after the Ryan disaster that I’d never get involved with one of his friends again. I’d kept my promise until now. I blew out a breath and gathered my thoughts, composing myself. There was no way I could break down now. I needed to remain calm and collected and get my ass home to my room, where I could shed all the tears I wanted.

When I heard the click of a door from down the hall, I quickly pushed myself off the wall and took off toward the elevator, hitting the button to go down. Thankfully, no one joined me. I wanted to be alone with my worry and thoughts.

When the door opened in the main lobby, I exited the elevator and, with my head down, searched my purse for my phone, praying I hadn’t left it upstairs. Still digging in my purse, I glanced up in time to see a large frame coming right at me. Without enough time to step out of the way, I ran right into someone, almost knocking me onto the floor.

“Oh god,” I cried.

“Peyton?” I heard a deep voice question.

I blinked hard and then met my brother’s eyes.

“Knox? What…what are you doing here?” I questioned, swallowing hard as panic boiled inside of me.

“I have a breakfast meeting over at Lavish Mornings with some rep from some skin care company,” my brother said, checking his watch.

“Skin care company?” I questioned.

Knox nodded. “Yeah, just an opportunity to be the face of a man’s skin care line.”

“At six thirty in the morning?” I questioned. “Don’t you people sleep?”

“Yes, Peyton, at six thirty in the morning,” he said, getting irritated.

“On a Sunday?” I cried.

“Yes, even on a Sunday, and it’s for seven fifteen, but I like to make sure I’m early, in case they get here early. It shows that I am eager to hear what they have to say and that I’m interested.”

“Well, good luck,” I said, waving at him, figuring it might be the best time to run away while he’s preoccupied. It would give him less of a chance to ask me questions and more time for me to come up with a story. I’d just about escaped when I heard him clear his throat.

“Wait, what are you doing here? You should be at home in bed,” he said, a curious look on his face.

My body heated as even more panic filled me. I should have run when I had the chance, but instead I was now trying to come up with a reason I was leaving Clay Harris’s building early in the morning. Knox, of course, would know he lived here.

I swallowed hard, seeing two women come walking in from the road in workout gear, laughing and giggling as they made their way to the elevator.

“Ah, you’re wondering why I didn’t come home last night, right? Well, funny thing…” I said, laughing nervously. “See, I ran into an old friend last night. We had a few drinks and then we came to her place, here, in this very building. We had a few more drinks, some food, and then I crashed on her couch instead of getting a cab to take me back to your place.”

It was sort of the truth, and he’d have to at least be proud I hadn’t taken a cab home in that sort of state.

“You could have called me. I’d have come and gotten you,” he said.

“I know, but seriously, I was so drunk I really didn’t think. I just wanted to sleep. I mean, we’d had a ton of wine, and well, it was just easier. I even passed out while we were watching a movie. She just left me on the couch.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, giving me a scrutinizing glance.

I stood there, fidgeting with the zipper on my jacket. I couldn’t tell if he’d bought my story or not, but I hoped he had.

“How’s Mom?” I asked, wanting to take the focus off me.

“Fine. I think Lorelai and I finally got through to her last night. She’s going to call William once I get home and tell him they are through. I know she was worried about you, after the way you left last night.”

“I keep telling her she doesn’t need to worry about me. Yet, I’m thankful that she’s taking control of her situation,” I said.

“Yeah, I’m glad we finally got through to her, which now we just need to get through to you, but that is a conversation that we’ll have later. I don’t have time to get into things with you right now.”

I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder and glanced up at Knox to see he was smiling.

“Hey, man! What the hell you doing up this early on our day off?” Knox asked.

I whipped around to see Clay standing there.

“Hey!” Clay greeted. “Peyton? What are you doing here?” he questioned. “Heading to breakfast with this dopey brother of yours?”

I looked at him, my stomach in my throat as he waited for my response.

“Didn’t expect to see either of you here this morning,” Clay added when I said nothing.

“No breakfast. I’m just heading home. Spent the night with an old friend.”

Clay smirked in my direction with a bullshit-eating grin. It seemed he was enjoying watching me in discomfort. At least that was the look that was written all over his face. I could only imagine what would happen if Knox caught on.

“I’m here for a breakfast meeting,” Knox added.

“Right! You got breakfast with that rep today, right?”

“Yep, which I got to get going. As much as I’m skeptical of being the face for a skin care line, it may be good for my career.”

“Good luck, man. Anyway, I’ve got to get going as well. I’m heading to the gym. Who did you say you visited, Peyton? Perhaps I know her. I live here, you know.”

I didn’t think it was possible to feel more uncomfortable than I already did, but here we were. I felt like I had an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other.

“Oh, I doubt you know her. She just moved in.” I shrugged.

“Not much goes on in this building that I’m not aware of. I’m good friends with the door guy, plus, I’m always on the lookout for a hot girl to date, or maybe take home for the night,” he added, winking at me.

I swallowed hard as he met my eyes. I needed to get the hell out of here before Knox caught on to the game Clay was playing, at least the game I thought he was playing.

“You should tell him. Clay knows many people in the building.”

“He won’t know her,” I insisted, becoming annoyed with how persistent my brother was being and the smug look on Clay’s face.

“Whatever, Peyton. Look, I’ve got to go, I’m late. See you both later?”

“Yep, see you at practice tomorrow,” Clay added.

Knox nodded and took off toward the restaurant, while I stood there, staring at Clay for a moment. It was a surprise that Knox hadn’t picked up the look on his face.

“Lying to your brother,” Clay said, shaking his head, still wearing that cocky smile that I’d always found so attractive.

“Not lying, just omitting some of the truth is all.” I added, “I spent the night here. That much is true.”

“That’s true. Didn’t want to tell him you were screaming my name all night?” he asked, placing his hand on my lower back and guiding me toward the door.

“What are you doing?” I questioned.

“Do you want Knox to see us standing here talking?” he asked. “Or do you want him to think you went home and I went to the gym? I mean, if you want questions, I’m sure we can make it happen.”

“No, I don’t want questions,” I answered, swallowing hard as we continued making our way through the lobby. “I don’t think you want them either.”

“Not really. Now, care to tell me why you ran off this morning?”

I shrugged; did I dare tell him it was because I’d flipped out over what had happened between us?

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s because you didn’t enjoy yourself last night, because I have the marks on my back that beg to differ,” he whispered as he pushed the door open and allowed me to go through.

Heat flooded my body as the memory of last night flooded my mind. I’d never say something like that, last night had been the best sexual experience of my life.

“I’ve got to go.”

“It’s alright, Peyton. We’re in the clear, you can talk with me.” Clay added.

“It’s good we’re in the clear, but I really need to go.” I said, heading off toward the bus stop. “See you sometime soon.”

I took off down the sidewalk toward the bus stop.