Finding the switch, I turned off the lamp by the bed and snuggled into the covers. It was so warm and cozy that I could’ve cried. I hadn’t had a bed in months.
My eyes became heavy and I blinked slowly. It was then that words escaped me without permission. “Lev?” He grunted sleepily in reply. “If you try to sneak into this bed tonight, I will scream bloody murder, and I scream loud.”
He sounded amused when he responded, “Ah, but Mina…” he paused for effect, “Who would be around to hear you?”
***
Morning broke and, like most days, I woke with the sun.
I hadn’t slept so well since…well…ever. I felt rested and refreshed. I couldn’t seem to find the strength to leave the warm covers of the bed, but the bathroom called my name in a semi-urgent way. I thought about waking Lev to ask him where the toilet was since there hadn’t been one in the en suite but decided against it. I didn’t want to be a pain.
Removing the covers without a sound, I slipped out of bed and made my way on my tiptoes to the door. I pressed on the lever, but it stuck. Frowning, I looked down to see a key inside the lock.
Why was this door locked from the inside?
I didn’t have time to think about it. I gently turned it, heard the latch click over, and thankfully the door opened without a squeak. I slipped through undetected.
I walked delicately down the hall, attempting to open doors as I went. The first two were locked. I got lucky on the third. It was exactly what I needed and I took my time, grateful for a moment to myself.
My time on the streets meant I was used to my own company. It felt weird to be around people. I supposed that was something I would have to get comfortable with quickly, seeing as I was going to be working serving drinks to people. Bartenders were expected to be social, and I mentally vowed to do my best to not come across awkward.
I flushed the toilet, washed my hands, and then opened the door and shrieked. Loudly.
Lev stood there, dressed only in a pair of grey boxers, leaning against the wall, blinking his eyes sleepily.
Clutching my heaving chest, I panted, “I needed to use the bathroom.”
His voice heavy with sleep, he muttered, “I can see that.”
My cheeks began to burn. “You didn’t show me where the toilet was last night.”
He blinked again. “I realize that.”
My palms began to sweat. Eyes wide, I blurted out an anxious, “I wasn’t stealing anything.”
His eyes roamed my shirt-clad body. “No, it doesn’t look like you were.”
I then felt the need to remind him, “I left your watch on the bathroom counter.”
He gestured with a jerk of his chin down to his wrist…where the watch was, secured tightly.
“Okay,” I whispered in relief. I swallowed hard then nodded once. “Okay then.”
Pushing himself off the wall, he stretched languidly in a feline manner. I spied the muscles of his abdomen tighten in a most delicious way. My eyes were drawn to the small smatter of hair leading from his bellybutton down lower still.
It was then I noticed I was looking directly at his material-covered crotch. With a light gasp, I turned my face to look straight up and stared at his chest.
He scratched lightly at the stubble on his steely jaw. “We should dress for breakfast.”
Yes! my mind yelled. Clothes are good!
I followed him back into the bedroom and saw my clothes neatly folded on the nightstand. He must have taken them out of the dryer in the middle of the night.
The pile was small. I went through it, my brow bunching in confusion. “Where are the rest of my clothes?”
Walking into the closet, he replied coolly, “Where they belong. The trash.”
Anger ignited, but I spoke calmly. “They were all I had.”
“I know.”
Irritation clear, I pulled on my one clean pair of panties underneath the long shirt. My black jeans followed, and with my back to the closet, I slipped off the black shirt to replace it with my white tee. I looked down and cussed softly.