I crack my eyes open to find the sun streaming in through the crack in the curtains and glance at the clock.
Shit, it’s late.
I look at Corey, who’s still sleeping soundly beside me. He’s on his back with his arm thrown over his head, the covers so low that it exposes his toned and inked chest and stomach.
I lose myself following the lines of his tattoos, so I don’t hear the footsteps heading for my bedroom door.
Before I know what’s happening, it flies open and Bailey comes walking in.
“Harlow, why are your clothes all over the living room flo… oh, fuck.” Her eyes go so wide, I half expect them to pop out. “Is that the Brit?”
“Yeah,” he says, “and he’s sleeping.”
“No problem. Could you just push the sheets a little lo—”
“Out, Bailey.”
“But—”
“OUT,” I squeal like a banshee, stirring Corey awake. After rolling her eyes at my over-the-top reaction to her appearance, she backs out of the room.
“It’s not like I haven’t seen one before,” she mutters seconds before the door closes.
“Exactly, your wealth of knowledge is vast. Use your imagination.”
“Bitch,” she calls, making both Corey and I laugh.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, dropping my forehead to his chest.
“There’s something wrong with your best friend.”
“I’m well aware. You know she’s not going to let you out of here until she’s grilled you for at least an hour, right?”
“She can try. I’m not one to kiss and tell. Although, I’m not sure it’s going to be necessary.”
“How comeeee,” I squeal as he flips me onto my back and looms over me.
“She can hear just how good I am.” He pushes my legs apart and settles between them as his fingers find my sensitive center. It’s deliciously sore as he pushes two fingers inside me, reminding me of everything that happened last night. “Always so fucking wet.”
“It’s your ink. I can’t get enough.”
“My ink, huh? You sure it’s not the promise of my cock?”
“Nah. I can take or leave that. Corey!” I screech as he bites down hard on my nipple.
“Louder. Make her really fucking jealous, Vix.”
By the time we roll out of bed sometime later, I’ve no doubt that Bailey—and possibly half the street—knew exactly what was going on.
“I need to shower,” I say, padding to my bathroom as Corey stands deliciously naked at the window, staring at the glorious spring morning outside. “Do you mind? You’ll give some of the neighbors a heart attack.” I run my eyes down his sculpted back and to his ass. I bite down on my bottom lip. It should be illegal to have an ass quite that peachy.
“Just checking out the neighborhood while you check out my arse.”
“Well, if you don’t move, you won’t get a chance to check me out in the shower. But I understand if the old woman over the street who reads in the window is more fascinating.” Before I get a chance to turn away from him, he’s halfway across the room and has my hand in his.
“Let’s go. There’s nothing more fascinating than watching bubbles run down your body.”
“Oh good, you’re both still alive. I started to get worried when all the cries for God and the banging stopped,” Bailey quips when the two of us make it down to the kitchen sometime later. Thankfully, I found Corey’s discarded clothes neatly folded outside my bedroom door when I emerged to go and find them for him.
“Shut up, B. I might suggest you’re just jealous, but seeing as you didn’t come home until this morning, I’m assuming you had yet another successful Saturday night.”
“I’ve had worse, that’s for sure. But you have most definitely had a better morning. For someone who’s been celibate for—”
“Bailey,” I hiss. “Enough.”
“What? I’m just saying that you seem to have remembered how to ride the bike perfectly well.”
“Like a pro,” Corey adds, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me back into his body.
My cheeks burn as Bailey barks a laugh, amusement and delight filling her features.
“Morning, Brit boy. I would say it’s nice to see you, but seeing as you clearly spent the night in her bed and not mine, I’m not so sure it is.”
“Who said we didn’t spend any time in your bed?”
Bailey gasps in mock horror. “Fair play. It was time you got your own back for that night I spent with Harry… Hugo… Henry… Ugh, I don’t remember his name. All I know is he had this massive—”
“You’d better be joking,” I snap, cutting her off from the inevitable.
She winks at me. “I guess you’ll never know.”
“Jesus, you’re a nightmare.”
She shrugs. Her ability to not care about anything is one of the things I admire the most in her. She’s desperate to find the one, but even with her lack of success she still keeps her head up and keeps kissing the frog in the hope that he might be it.
“Who’s for bacon?” she asks, pulling the refrigerator open and poking her head inside.
“As tempting as that sounds, I really need to head off.” Disappointment floods me, and apparently he doesn’t miss it. “Walk me out?” he asks before directing me from the room.
“What? No kiss goodbye?” Bailey calls after us.
“Maybe another day.”
“Don’t even think about it. She kissed Colton once and she’s never let me forget it. My life wouldn’t be worth living if—”
“She kissed Colton?” he asks curiously.
“Yeah, why?”
“No reason.” He pulls me into his arms and closes the space between us. “I wish I could stay.” He rubs his nose against mine and I sigh.
“It’s okay. I’ve got some stuff to do,” I admit, thinking that I need to check on my aunt again.
“Meet me after I finish work?” Hope shines in his eyes.
“Hmm… that depends on what you’ve got to offer me.”
“Dinner and a bad night’s sleep?” he asks with a naughty glint in his eye.
“I’ve got work tomorrow morning.”
“Bring what you need and you can go
