Page 2 of Bad Habit
“Carry me.” She demands.
My eyebrows lift and she grins.
“You refused to dance with me and I look too hot for you to do that. So make it up to me.” She holds her arms out. “Carry me.” She wiggles her fingers to summon me closer.
I take her hand and wrap it around my neck, still holding her stuff in my other hand. I motion with my free hand for her to jump. She smiles excitedly before giving the smallest jump. I scoop her up with my one arm, lifting and cradling her to me. I take her all the way to my truck and buckle her up.
“This is hot. You’re hot, Oliver West.” Like I said, she’s sweeter when she’s drunk.
It’s a short drive to her apartment and she stays quiet the whole time which isn’t normal. My chest rattles with unease. She sits up slowly as I park. “Thanks for looking out for me tonight.” I nod my head at her as she moves to try and get out.
“I got you, Mia. Hold on.” She was too tipsy to walk herself up the stairs. I open her door and hold out my arm. “Want me to carry you again?”
She knocks my arms out of the way and grumbles something. The cold air must have sobered her up a little bit. Moody girl. I walk behind her and just casually hold my arms out around her to make sure if she stumbles she is caught. When we reach the top of the stairs to her front door she is shaking her small bag and threatening to throw it away if it doesn’t cooperate. I bring my hand to my lips smothering the laughter trying to bubble out of my throat.
“It’s not funny, Oliver.” Glaring at me, she shoves her bag into my chest. “I can’t find my keys.” I take her bag and rifle through it, lookingfor her keys to appear. All I can see is three different lipglosses, cherry lifesavers, and bandaids.
“Did you leave your keys at AJ’s?”
Mia throws her hands up and lets out a harsh breath. “Well I obviously don’t know that, Oliver. I thought that they were in there. Now I’m homeless!”
“You’re dramatic.” I correct her as I zip up her bag after putting her phone in it. “You’re not homeless. We will look for your keys tomorrow. I’m sure they are at AJ’s.” She reaches for the bag but I hold it out of reach. “And you’re coming home with me. I have a spare bedroom you can sleep in.”
“You want to take me home?” All agitation forgotten and her playful smile was back.
“Get in the truck, Mia.”
“Yes sir.” Her words roll down my body, causing tingles to travel down my spine.
“Don’t do that.” Her laughter lets me know she got the exact reaction she wants.Brat.
When we reach my long driveway, she launches her body forward so fast she nearly hits the dashboard.
“That’s a whole house.” She announces like I don’t know what is sitting right in front of me.
“Great observation skills.” She swats my arm and moves to get out of my truck when I put it in park. “Slow your ass down, Mia. You’re going to get hurt.” She’s still a little wobbly, but sturdier than she was.
When she turns around her mouth is wide open. “Oliver.”
“Yes, pretty girl?”
“You own a whole ass house!” I’m not sure why she is freaking out the way she is but it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“I’m aware.” I lace my hand with hers and help guide her to the door. “Let’s get you to bed.”
I walk her through the house and down the back hall to the bedroom across from mine. She spins slowly, taking in the room. It’s not much, but it has nice curtains, new bedding, and an old lamp that my dad says was my mom’s favorite.
“I’ll get you something to change into.” I nod to the bed. “Everything is new and hopefully comfortable.”
I leave the room long enough to grab a freshly washed shirt from the laundry basket and bring it back to her. When I get back to the spare room I’m met with her bare back reminding me that she isn’t wearing anything under the dress. And she will be in my spare bed, completely naked with only my shirt to cover her. That does something to me. She’s looking out the window that leads to a very small garden out back.
“I brought you a shirt. I hope that’s okay? I have some sweatpants. I think they would fall off of you though. But I can grab those too if you want.” I hook my thumb back towards the door at the same time she turns around.
She takes the shirt and gives me a small smile. “Thanks, Oliver.” She tucks some of her wild hair behind her ear and drops her chin. “I’m going to change now…”
Clearing my throat, “Yeah, of course. I’m going to go grab you some water and ibuprofen. I’ll be back.” I close the door behind me and find a bottle of water in the fridge. I grab some meds that I know she will be thankful for when she wakes up in the morning and bring them with me to drop off to her. I knock softly before entering the bedroom again. She is already in bed, surrounded by the fluffy comforter and she has her hair pulled up on top of her head. I have no idea what she even used to do that. I place the bottle of water and meds on the side table and linger for a minute. What I’m lingering for, I can’t figure out. I watch her take the pills and wash them down. “Sweet dreams, Mia.”
She doesn’t speak, but she does smile thankfully before pulling the blanket up to her chin and snuggling into the pillows. I turn the lights out as I leave, crossing the hallway to my own bedroom.
