Page 99 of The Way I Hate Him
I move over to the bed and plug my phone in to charge. I take a seat, not getting comfortable yet because I wouldn’t put it past her to keep to her word. And instead, I set my alarm and then check the email Ruben sent me one more time with all the information I need about where I’m going tomorrow and the premise of the shoot.
Basically, shirtless bedroom scenes.
Nothing new here.
When I first signed this fragrance contract, I was excited to take on anything that offered me money. Who wouldn’t be? But fuck, they’ve sexualized me on a whole new level, and there’s nothing I can say about it. They make me great money, that’s not the problem, but at some point, I want to move on from these ads and not have to take my shirt off for all the attention. I want to be taken seriously for my music. My craft.Not just something superficial like my looks.
The bathroom door opens, and I glance up just in time to catch Hattie walk out—leaving the light on—in a pair of bikini-style underwear that sits high on her hips and a thin crop top that is loose enough for her breasts to peak the fabric.
Fucking Christ.
As she retreats to the living room, she glances over her shoulder, my eyes on her pert ass, and she says, “Sweet nightmares.”
I drag my hand over my mouth and stare down at the floor. Fuck, she’s so painfully hot.
Good thing she’s sleeping on the couch.
I push off the bed, turn off the bathroom light, and then crawl under the covers, letting them sit at my waist. I run hot, so submerging my body completely under the covers makes me sweat.
I prop one hand behind my head and stare up at the ceiling.
Jesus, I was just saying how exhausted I was, but after seeing Hattie in her version of pajamas, I feel wide awake. And from the creaks of the couch, it sounds like she’s having a hard time getting comfortable. The couch was a shit purchase. I let an interior designer pick everything for this space because I truly didn’t care. I just needed a place to sleep when I was in town, recording. I remember the first time I sat on the couch, I immediately stood back up and vowed to never sit on the damn thing again.
“Ugh,” Hattie grumbles in the living room, then she appears at the doorway of my bedroom. “You did this on purpose.”
I sit up on my elbows to get a good look at her. Those curvy hips, propping up the strings of her underwear, her tapered waist and small belly button. Proportionate breasts that are just big enough to push at the fabric of her shirt. Yeah, she’s so my fucking type.
Nothing fake about her.
“Did what on purpose?” I ask.
“Brought me here to create a one-bed scenario.”
“What?” I ask, confused as she moves over to the other side of the bed and flips down the covers to get in.
“It’s the oldest trick in the book, Hayes. You want me in bed, so instead of getting us two hotel rooms, you bring me back to your condo that only has one bed? What a coincidence.”
“What are you implying?” I ask as she fluffs her pillow.
“That your horny ass wanted to get me into bed with you, and instead of just telling me you want me, you’ve created a scenario where we have to share a bed, giving you full access to tease me. Well, guess what?” She turns toward me and lies down. “It’s not going to work.”
I stare at her for a few seconds. “First of all, I brought you here because I’m not going to waste money on a hotel room when I have a perfectly decent condo to use. Second, I assumed you would be mature enough to share a bed without issue, but obviously, that was a misjudgment on my end.”
“I can share a bed. That’s not the problem. It’s that I don’t want to share a bed with you.”
“Because you’re too tempted, I get it,” I say, being the dick she so desperately wants me to be.
“Oh fuck off, Hayes. You’re not that appealing.”
“Says the girl who’s made two advances on me.”
“Wow,” she says. “You really do play the ass so well.”
“You asked for it. I’m just delivering.”
“The only thing you could probably deliver,” she says. “And for the record, I could easily turn you on without barely trying.”
“You think so?” I ask. “Because I specifically remember how quickly I made you beg with just a few touches.”
