“Ugh, don’t talk about food.” I groaned and lay back down, with my brain racing a million miles a minute. Who was the gorgeous man next to me, and what was I doing in his bed?
“I’m Brandon, by the way.” He smiled at me gently. “We didn’t exchange names last night.”
“Oh.” I peeked up at him and swallowed hard. He was gorgeous and even though I felt like death warmed up, I was still attracted to him.
“And your name is?”
“Oh, sorry. I’m Katie.”
“Nice name.” He smiled at me again. “Rest a little and I’ll be back.”
“Okay, thanks.” I gave him a quick smile and lay back and closed my eyes. Oh my God, oh my God, have I been kidnapped? I peeked under the sheets and groaned as I saw myself wearing only my bra and panties. He’d taken off my clothes. Then panic hit me – had we had sex? Oh, God, did I have sex for the first time and not even know it?
“Scrambled eggs, bacon, and lots of buttered white toast.” He walked back into the room. “Nothing healthy, but it will help your hangover.”
“I feel like shit.” I blurted out and blushed when I realized what I’d said.
“Not surprising.” He laughed. “First hangover?”
“Yeah.” I nodded and first my face going red. Did he know it was the first time I’d ever had a drink as well?
“I don’t know many people who’ve reached the age of 22 and never had a drink.”
“Oh?” I looked down at the plate and swallowed hard. Should I tell him the truth?
“Were you and your friends celebrating something?”
“Yes, yes we were.”
“Oh?” He looked at me expectantly, waiting for an answer. I knew there was no way in hell that I could tell him that we were celebrating starting college. Then the questions would start, the ‘why were you drinking?’ and ‘why are you so irresponsible?’. I stared at him guiltily. I felt bad and disappointed in myself. I knew that my parents back home in Florida would be upset if they knew that I was already making bad choices.
“Sorry, I feel a little sick.” I turned my face away from him as I felt myself becoming hypnotized by his blue eyes.
“Do you need to go to the bathroom?”
“Huh?”
“To throw up?”
“Oh, no, no.” I shook my head and groaned. “I just need to lie down again.”
“Sure. Feel free.” He sat next to me on the bed. “Do you mind if I lie down next to you?”
“No.” I whispered. My heart was beating fast again and little men were jumping around in my stomach.
“Are you new to the city?”
“Yeah, I moved here from Florida a few weeks ago, for, uh, a job.” Technically I wasn’t lying, I was going to college to get a job.
“Oh nice. Where are you working?”
“Ooh, my head.” I groaned and rolled over, trying to control my panicked breathing. I hated lying and was already regretting my comments. I felt his hand rubbing my back and I froze. What was he doing?
“You’re very trusting to be here with me, Katie. I’m not sure where in Florida you’re from, but there are a lot of wolves in New York, and they are looking to prey on young girls in their twenties like you.”
“I can take care of myself.” I mumbled and turned over.
“You’re lucky I’m a nice guy.” He chuckled and I looked up at him, not sure if he was joking or being serious. He looked even more handsome close up – his blue eyes were shrewd, and I felt like he could see right through me.
“Yes, thank you.”
“I could kiss you right now.” His voice sounded like a growl and my eyes widened. “Don’t worry, sweet thing, I’ll let you get better first.”
“First?” I swallowed.
“That’s if you don’t have anything against men in their thirties?”
“No, no, of course not.” I squeaked out. Thirty wasn’t that old. I mean, he wasn’t old enough to be my dad.
“Good. I don’t normally go for girls in their twenties, but you seem different.” His eyes crinkled and he laughed. “That is, if you let me take you on a date.”
“You want to take me on a date?” I stammered in shock. Was I dreaming? This seriously good-looking man wanted to take me out?
“I think you’re someone I want to get to know better, Katie.” He nodded as he looked at me seriously.
“Thank you.” I mumbled, with a wide smile. I didn’t bother to hide my excitement from him. I didn’t know then that you weren’t supposed to let a guy know that you had feelings for him.
“You’re welcome, my dear. You’re very welcome.” He jumped off of the bed then and grabbed the plate. “Try and get some more sleep, and we’ll see how you feel when you wake up.”
“Okay.” I nodded sleepily and closed my eyes again. Sleep found me easily and I stretched in the luxurious bed imagining Brandon’s lips kissing me softly.
***
“Ma’am, would you like anything else to drink?” The airhostess tapped me on the arm and I broke out of my reverie.
“No, thanks.” I smiled at her and rubbed my forehead. I was starting to get a headache and a small heartache as well. I hated remembering the first days I had met Brandon because he had been so sweet and wonderful. He had been a man I thought only existed in romance novels. The beginning of our relationship had been magical. It was only the end that was the stuff that nightmares were made of.
“Okay, just let me know if you change your mind.”
“Thanks.” I smiled. “Do you know how many more hours until we land in San Francisco?”
“It’ll be about two more hours, Ms. Raymond.”
“Thanks.” I looked back out of the window and thought about Brandon again. Maybe I wouldn’t even see him. I’m sure he would be busy with the board of directors. What time would he have for a manager? It was just my luck that he had bought the company that I worked for. Out of all the companies in the world, he had to pick mine. What sort of bad luck was that? He was going to fire me, I just knew it. He would take one look at me, laugh in my face, and fire me. Maybe after calling me a liar. And what could I say? What would I tell HR? I knew the answer to that, and I would just leave with my tail between my legs. Because it would be true. I had lied to him. At first, I had a reason, but then I had built up the lie, made everything more complicated. And then it all exploded in my face. I closed my eyes again and thought of Brandon, my sexy, hunky Brandon.