I’m hot, and my body feels heavy and pinned down. I squint into the bright light and slam my eyes shut. Ouch. My head throbs and rolls. A sharp twist in my stomach has me moaning. Fuck.
I try again, opening one eye slowly, then the other. Holy shit.
I’m in my room, on my bed, and my legs are immobile. I look down the length of my body, which isn’t even covered by a sheet. A tangle of bodies covers my king-sized bed. I drop my head back and close my eyes, praying like hell I can remember what went on here last night.
Damn, I shouldn’t have kept drinking. I remember leaving the club and jumping in a cab with some girls. Two, right? I pinch the bridge of my nose. Ah, shit. Three. All three girls from last night.
Pushing up to my elbows, I count the legs to make sure. All of them are long, slender, toned, and hairless. Except one. Oh shit. Please—I wiggle my toes, and the toes on the hairy leg wiggle. Thank God. I drop back to the bed, my heart racing. I rub my eyes with my fists, which only intensifies my headache and steals my breath.
I’m never drinking again.
A sleepy, feminine groan sounds from around my hip, then another from near my stomach. And with that, the entire girl-pile comes to life, arms and legs detangling from the human dream catcher.
I hear a small gasp, and one of the girls hops up. I watch through one eye as the blonde races around the bed, picking up pieces of clothing and throwing them back to the ground. It’s funny, but when my lips curve into a smile—fucking hell—it quickly fades. All the booze I drank last night continues to torture me.
My phone explodes in a violent ring from my bedside table. Ouch! Shit. The sound gets the girls moving and sitting up.
“Mmm-ello?”
Faye is up and shoving her arm in a balled-up piece of black fabric. Nope, wrong shirt. She tosses it on the bed and searches the floor. A grin tugs at my lips.
“Dude, you better be up, fuckface,” Jonah growls from the other end of the phone.
I lower the volume to save myself from the crippling pain. “Shit, it’s New Year’s day. I’m sleeping in. And so should you.”
“I’m pulling up to your place now. Remember, we’re going to the New Year’s picnic at Raven’s Nest.”
“That’s not ’til one.”
I’m sidetracked as I watch the girls exchange clothes along with awkward glances.
“It’s twelve-thirty.”
Fuckin’ hell.
“Get’chur ass up. Raven and I’ll be up in a minute.” He disconnects the call before I have a chance to reply.
I toss my phone on the empty pillow next to me. Placing my arms behind my head, I enjoy the view of the room full of naked women as they sort through their clothes, stumble over their shoes, and get dressed.
What I’m sure is an evil smile dances across my face. “Ladies, take your time. I could watch this all day.”
The blonde—Sara or Sandra—giggles, and the brunette drops to all fours looking under the bed.
After a quick call for a cab to escort last night’s entertainment home, I get up and throw on my boxers. Better unlock the front door for Jonah or the asshole will break it down. I did promise him I’d be at the party today. It means a lot to Raven, and after everything that girl’s been through these last few months, Jonah would kill anyone who got in the way of her happiness.
I take a quick leak then head down the hallway. Ginger, the brunette with legs that go on forever, is jiggling the knob of a locked door.
“You lost?”
Her eyes find mine, and I watch her once confident demeanor fall into an embarrassed frown.
“What do you need, babe?” I lean my shoulder against the wall just shy of the doorframe.
“Oh, I thought it might be a bathroom.” She studies the door for a moment then swings her gaze to mine. “Do you have a roommate?”
“Nope.”
She studies the door again then drops her eyebrows in confusion. “Wait, then what’s in there?”
I wag my finger and shake my head. “Top secret.” I step into her space, gliding my fingertips along her cheek and down the side of her neck. “If I told you, I’d have to punish you.”
She shivers, and a smile that screams anxious anticipation cuts through her earlier embarrassment. It’s obvious what she’s thinking. She’s experienced my kinky nature first hand. But I’ll never open that room up to anyone. Mainly because it’s none of their business, but also because I’m ashamed.
“Bathroom’s down the hall to your left.” I kiss her cheek and head to the front door.
“So, you like to play?” Her voice carries the sound of intrigue and lust.
I freeze mid-step, not turning around to face her. “More than anything.” Next to fighting, the room is the only thing that helps me decompress. If I didn’t have my career and my passion, I’d end up like him.
A loud banging shakes me from my standstill. “Chill the fuck out. I’m coming.” That’s what she said, multiple times. I smile at how quickly my memory of last night washes away the haunting thoughts associated with the room.