I watched Layla sleep as I pulled on my clothes. She had the ability to look as sexy asleep as she did awake. Her long, dark hair fanned out over her bare back and the bed. My gaze travelled down her body, and my dick threatened to harden again at the sight of her waist, ass and legs. Everything about her was spectacular. But her physical beauty paled in comparison to her inner beauty.
Kind, nurturing and resilient; I was drawn to her.
We shared a connection I struggled to understand.
But I felt it.
I sat on her bed to put my boots on, and the shifting of the bed woke her. She rolled to her side, propped herself on her elbow and watched me silently.
We don’t need words.
I gave her my eyes for a couple of moments before focusing back on my boots. When I stood, she murmured, “Thank you.”
I turned. “For the sex?”
“No, for not judging me.”
Fuck.
I’d never judge her.
I nodded. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow, make sure you’re okay.”
“Okay,” she said softly. Sleepily.
“Do you have to close up?”
“No, Jess and Damian can do it.”
“Good. Get some sleep,” I said. With one last look at her, I turned and headed downstairs.
The bar was nearly empty. Over the last few months, I’d noticed a steady decline in business, and wondered how Layla kept it running.
“Blade!”
I turned and found Jess staring at me. “Yeah,” I said, walking towards her.
“Is Layla coming down?”
“No. Said you guys would close up.”
She grinned. “You knocked her flat, huh?”
I ignored that. “I’ll see you later,” I said and started heading towards the door.
“Don’t fuck her around,” she yelled at me.
I stopped. Turning, I said, “That’s not my M.O.”
She nodded. “Good.”
Once we had that settled, I left. As I stepped outside, I scanned the street. It looked clear tonight. I hadn’t mentioned anything to Layla, but I had concerns Mario would be back. Tomorrow, I’d put some eyes on her in case he did. That motherfucker wouldn’t fucking want to, though.
***
“Blade!”
I turned to the familiar voice screaming my name.
Ashley.
I smiled at her and began jogging to her. She kept moving, though. I thought she was so close, but the more I ran, the further away she seemed. The smile on her face turned into a frown the longer I took.
“Ashley!” I yelled, extending my arm for her to grab hold of.
She reached her hand to try and grab onto it, but the harder we both tried, the further away our hands seemed.
“Blade, where did you go?” Her eyes grew sad, and when I saw the first tear fall, my heart constricted.
“Nowhere, baby. I’m right here,” I promised, wanting to take all her tears away.
Why does she think I went somewhere?
“No, you’re not. You went away. You left me,” she accused.
My foot hit something while I was running, and I fell.
The last thing I saw was her tears.
I was falling.
Falling into the darkness.
I sat bolt upright, my heart almost beating out of my chest.
Fuck.
The sheet stuck to my sweat.
Again.
I turned to the bedside clock.
Four fifteen am.
I scrubbed my hand over my face as I recalled the dream. I had no idea what it meant, and no desire to figure it out. Pushing the sheet off, I left the bed to take a shower.
Maybe it’s time for sleeping pills.
A couple of hours of sleep wouldn’t cut it today.
***
Three hours later, I pulled my car out of my driveway and drove to Harlow’s café for breakfast with Madison. When I arrived, she was standing on the footpath waiting for me.
I stepped out of the car, locked it and walked to her. “Morning.” I smiled at her.
She returned my smile. “Hey, big brother.” Her arms came up around my neck as she kissed me on the cheek.
I fought the instinct to pull away from her embrace.
“You’re getting better at this,” she said with a wink after she let me go.
“You’ve no idea,” I muttered, and began walking to the café.
She grabbed my arm and stopped me. “Wait! What does that mean?”
Expectation covered her face while she waited for my reply. Not ready to share my thoughts, I said, “Nothing.”
“That was not nothing,” she insisted, and I mentally berated myself for my words.
“Leave it, Madison,” I cautioned.
Her eyes widened. “Oh my god! You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?” Her excitement levels shot through the roof, and I almost expected her to start jumping up and down on the spot.
“Leave it,” I growled and stalked into the café without waiting for her.
Harlow looked up as I entered and smiled at me. I jerked my chin at her, and began walking to where she was at the counter.
“Good morning,” she greeted me. Harlow always had a smile on her face. I wondered if she had many bad days, because it seemed like she didn’t. Except for lately when I’d seen her and Scott arguing.
I scowled at her. “Morning.”