Page 40 of Power
Damn, she picked up on my resistance. “I’ve got to go, Sofia.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
“I will, thank you.” I hang up and toss the phone beside me on the bed. I look around the room and decide I’m going to use that magnificent bath in the bathroom. Standing, I walk into the bathroom and start the water, getting it to the perfect temperature. I need to unwind and relax, and consider what my next steps will be. I can’t go to clients with a busted-up face, and based on the way the rest of my body feels, I know I’m not going to be able to work for at least a month, if not longer. I have to consider Emily and how she’ll react when she returns home for the weekend. I also need to speak with Bennett and find out what happened with the cardiologist. Do I need to give a statement to the police? Did it even go to the police? Will there be charges against me because I was soliciting?
I don’t know. This is all too much for me right now.
My mind needs to rest and relax and not think about what could’ve happened, or worse still, what’s going to happen. With the tub full of warm water, I take off my clothes and sink straight into serenity. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back while offloading all my worries into the water. However, there’s an ache in the back of my throat as I think about Emily’s reaction. She’s going to freak out and worry. Of course, I can’t tell her the reason why my face is bruised. Jesus, maybe now is the time to get out of this business altogether. I don’t know. Maybe I’m letting one dreadful encounter dictate my future. Ugh. I hate feeling indecisive.
With my eyes closed, I take several deep breaths, attempting to push those horrible moments out of my mind. I can’t let Emily grow up without a mom. Suddenly, the weight of the situation collapses upon me. and my eyes begin to drip with the pain of reality. “He could’ve killed me,” I whisper to myself.
I curl my legs up, hugging my knees while I cry. Man, this is a fucked-up situation. I hate feeling like a victim.
As the water cools, and my tears ease, I take the plug out and let the water drain. Climbing out of the tub, I reach for a towel and wrap it around my body. Jesus, even the towels are luxurious and fluffy. I head out to the bedroom, startled to see Bennett standing by the window. “Shit,” I say as I place my hand on my chest. “You need a damn bell.” Damn, he certainly looks good in a dark suit with a crisp white shirt and dark green tie. Really good.
He casts an eye over my towel-clad body. “I see you got your bath.”
“Not a bubble bath, and no wine, but that’s okay. And by the way, that’s not a bath, that’s an indoor lap pool.” I point to the massive tub.
“I’ve laid out some clothes for you.” He motions toward the bed.
“I need to go home, Bennett. I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?” There’s a knock on the door and he groans. “I have a meeting in about five minutes, it’ll be over in thirty-five minutes. I’ve then got forty minutes before my next meeting. I’ll come up and have breakfast with you.”
I stare at him and tilt my head to the side. “So, you’ve got forty minutes where you’ll come have breakfast with me?”
“Today I’ve got back-to-back meetings, Reece. If I could reschedule any of them, I would.”
I lift my hand and wave it. “It’s okay. Look, I really do need to go.” I glance at the clothes on the bed. “These are your clothes, and I need to get back home. So, don’t worry about breakfast, but, I do need a ride.”
“No, you’ll stay here until we have breakfast together. There are a few things we need to discuss.” There’s another knock on the door. “I’ll be back in exactly forty-one minutes.”
“Forty-one is a very specific number, Bennett.”
“By the time I walk down there, have the meeting, then return...” He shrugs. “Forty-one minutes.”
“Fine, but then I need to go home.”
“I’ll let my chef know to send breakfast in forty-one minutes.” He begins heading to the door but stops. Turning, Bennett walks over to me, then lays a gentle kiss to my temple. As he’s about to leave the room, he turns and with a cheeky glint in his eyes, he says, “You look good in a towel. I’d prefer to see it on the floor though.” I untuck the towel and drop it to the ground. Bennett is stunned by my brazenness and quickly closes the door, making sure no one sees me naked.
Chuckling at Bennett’s hasty exit, I grab the towel and finish drying off before changing into his clothes. A blue dress shirt and boxer briefs that swim on me. It’s a good thing the waist is elastic.
I guess I better call Tash and see how it went on her date. I dial her number and she picks up straight away. “I tried calling you last night, but um...he said you were asleep.”
“Bennett?” I ask.
“Yeah. I don’t know what to call him.”
“I have no idea,” I say. “I guess I can talk to him and ask him, if you want.”
“Well, I don’t know. Are you two a thing now?”
I look down at his clothes I’m wearing. “Honestly, I don’t know what we are. But, how did your date go?”
“Can you spell disaster?” Tash laughs into the phone. “Let me see. I show up at the restaurant looking hot, but I’m totally worried about you and your face.”
I smirk. “My face?”
