Page 42 of Deacon

I woke up at dawn, eyes flying open.

I shut them seconds later, wincing as a cold, grey light filtered through the sheer curtains and lanced my eyeballs.

My head hurt, so I took my time peering out again.

It took me several moments to work out where I was until I turned my head.

My eyes fell on the luxurious dark curls all over the pillow next to mine.

Damn.

Jagged memories from the shitshow last night hit me, and I bit back a frustrated groan.

Minutes passed as I worked out how to navigate the moment.

I decided it was best to leave soon, but a gentleman didn’t slip away like a thief in the night.

Wracked with guilt, I leaned over the sleeping woman and tapped her arm.

Nashami stirred on the pillows, propping herself up on one elbow, her eyes opening as she came to.

She spotted me and her expression froze with wariness.

‘Hey.’

‘Still here?’

‘Still mad at me?’ I ventured.

She gave me a long assessing look, then shook her head.

‘I can’t force what’s not meant to be; still, I’d be raging if you’d left without saying goodbye, rockstar.’

‘I’m sorry about last night.’

She took a deep breath.

‘At least stay for breakfast.’

I shook my head.

‘Gotta head back before Raff wakes up,’ I said, found my shirt, and pulled it on.

‘I’ll dial my driver,’ she said, reaching for her phone on the bedside table. ‘You won’t find a cab at this time.’

‘I’d hate to wake someone up at five in the morning,’ I countered, shaking my head.

‘I pay him double on call-outs like these,’ Nashami stated. ‘He doesn’t mind; he says he likes the generous rate.’

With an arched brow and a chin raise, I accepted her offer.

Pulling on my pants and shoes, I located my jacket.

Nashami stood up, wrapped a silk robe around herself, and walked me down to the front entryway facing the street.

Nashami’s car sat idling near the gate.

Credit to her, she didn’t give me a hard time; she only stepped close, her expression guarded.