Page 10 of Ravage
I try to peel my eyelids back, but they’re heavy and thick.
“I know I said you could sleep here last night, but I’m not sure I was prepared for how long you sleep,” a deep voice drawls above me.
I find the strength to snap my eyes open and then hiss at the brightness of the room. I move back on instinct, realizing I’m lying in a bed, and then stare blearily at the man sitting on the edge with a coffee mug in his hand and a look of amusement in his expression. He’s wearing gray slacks, a white button up long-sleeve shirt, and a tie. His dirty blonde hair is mussed back from his face.
He extends the coffee toward me, keeping his distance but offering this olive branch between us. As I’m reaching for it, the sheets slide further off of me and expose my naked torso.
Ah. Of course, I did.
It all comes rushing back now. Changing into my one skimpy dress in the pizzeria bathroom and then hitting up the nearest nightclub. Then finding a guy who looked interested and getting him to buy me drinks and bring me home with him so I didn’t have to waste my money on a dirty motel or expensive hotel for the night.
I must have slept with him.
Good times.
I don’t bother covering myself up once the sheet falls. He’s obviously seen it all before, and I reach for what’s important right now. That coffee.
The man’s gaze travels down my exposed flesh, but there’s nothing leering or rude about it. He doesn’t give any indication if he likes or dislikes what he sees either, which might set others off, but I’m an absolute realist. This was just a one-night stand that got me free drinks and a room for the night, and I’m satisfied with the turnout of all that.
I take the mug and try to remember what he’d said when I first woke up. “What time is it?”
He smiles and checks his watch. I didn’t realize people still wore those anymore with cell phones being in everyone’s pockets, but nope, he’s wearing a shiny-looking black watch with fancy dials and everything. “Three in the afternoon.”
Oops.
I bring the mug to my lips and let the coffee burn my tongue and throat on the way down. My eyes close of their own accord, and I groan. It’s fucking wonderful. When I open my eyes again, he’s watching me patiently, like he has all the time in the world for some weirdo to crash his home and sleep in until mid-afternoon, drinking his cup of coffee.
Who is this guy?
“Sorry about that. Your bed must be comfortable.”
“You must have been that tired,” he counters.
I shrug one shoulder and take another deep gulp. “Maybe. Do you always bring coffee to girls who sleep over and stay past the respectful time?”
He chuckles. “Certainly not.”
Hm. Red flag.
My brow arches in question.
“You seemed to need it,” he answers as if that’s a normal reaction to an absolute stranger who openly admitted to him she was using him for the night. “I can help you if you want to share what brought you to a nightclub to look for a place to sleep at one in the morning.”
I hum after drinking more coffee. “I don’t share. I also don’t do relationships if that’s where this is going. I had a good night, I appreciate the bed and the coffee, but once I’ve finished this cup, you’ll never see me again.”
“Fair enough.” He stands and tugs at the cuffs of his sleeves on either arm. “I’m not looking to pry, but if you do need a friend, or a friendly acquaintance, in your corner, let me know. I have resources that I built around me for something like this, so I’m more than happy to offer them.”
I bite my tongue at the something like this comment. What situation does he think I’m in? Some homeless girl who can’t get a job and was disowned by her family? I mean, it’s not totally off, but it’s missing the key points that make having me around more dangerous for him than for me.
People die from being around me because of GE’s hunt to get me back. Death by bad luck, I guess, because they don’t care about unnecessary casualties to get what they want.
“Resources?” I question instead.
He nods and gestures to the room. “Other apartments and places to stay. A job. Assistance with…finding answers.”
Well, that was cryptic. “Am I supposed to know what that last one means?”
He smirks. “You can’t have all the secrets.” His hands settle into his pockets. “You know where to find me now, so if you decide to take me up on any of those, just knock. You can also find me in the nightclub downstairs most nights.”
