19. Corey
19
COREY
S unlight pierces through unfamiliar curtains. My head throbs, but the memories flood back crystal clear. Abbie's soft moans. The way she arched at my touch. Seth's intense gaze as he watched us. Hell, my skin still smells like her.
The silk sheets of Seth's guest room slide against my skin as I search for my phone on the nightstand. A message notification blinks.
Thanks for last night. Had to run - coffee date with Tessa. Talk later?
Oh shit. Did she regret it? The text seems casual enough, but women her age speak a different language. Hell, I barely understand my own son's texts half the time.
The house is quiet - Seth must still be passed out in his room. Can't blame him after all that bourbon. Though neither of us drank enough to cloud our judgment. What happened with Abbie was deliberate. Calculated. Perfect.
I press my palms against my eyes, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions. The way she looked at me when I told her what to do. How she trembled under Seth's mouth while maintaining eye contact with me. Christ.
This could get complicated fast. She works at our bar. She's young enough to be my daughter. But the chemistry between us…
My phone pings again. Another text coming through:
BTW your snoring is cute
A slow smile spreads across my face. Maybe I'm overthinking this. She's an adult who knows what she wants. And right now, she seems to want me. Was I snoring loud enough that she heard me down the hall? Get it together, King.
I pad down the hall to Seth's room, my bare feet silent against the hardwood floors. The door creaks as I walk in.
"Rise and shine, princess."
He groans and burrows deeper into his Egyptian cotton sheets. "What time is it?"
"Almost ten. Abbie's gone."
"Mmm. Coffee first, then panic." Seth sits up, his blonde hair sticking up at odd angles. "You've got that look."
"What look?"
"Like you're about to spiral into overthinking everything." He stretches, joints popping. "She left on her own terms, right?"
"Yeah. Said she had coffee plans with her roommate."
"Then relax. You're acting like this is your first rodeo." Seth's knowing smirk makes me want to throw something at him. "Remember Denise in college?"
The memory hits me - another shared night, twenty years ago. "That was different."
"Was it? Because I distinctly remember you pacing holes in my carpet the next morning, convinced she'd run screaming to the dean about the two guys who seduced her.”
"And?"
"And she showed up to your office hours two days later wearing that tiny skirt and ridiculous heels." Seth swings his legs over the side of the bed. "Some things never change, old friend."
He's right. Damn him. "Point taken."
I turn and start down the hallway, Seth not far behind as we head to the kitchen. His housekeeper must have snuck in while we slept - fresh coffee and pastries wait in the kitchen. The rich aroma hits my nostrils as I pour us both a cup.
"So." Seth tears into a croissant. "You planning to see her again?"
"Already texting." I slide my phone across the marble counter. "She seems... okay with everything."
"Okay? The girl was practically glowing." Crumbs spray as he talks. "Though I notice you got rather possessive there at the end."
Heat rises in my neck. "You noticed that, did you?"
"Hard to miss the 'she's mine' growling." He wipes his mouth with a napkin. "Not that I'm complaining. The view was spectacular."
"Speaking of spectacular views, what's the timeline on our meeting this afternoon?"
"Smooth subject change." Seth pulls out his tablet, tapping through blueprints. "Contractors say two more weeks. The pergola's giving them fits."
"Better be done before the charity gala. Half the board's expecting to network up there."
"It'll be ready." He drains his coffee. "Though maybe we should do a test run. Private party. See how the space flows."
I know that tone. "With a certain bartender on the guest list?"
"Your bartender. I'm just along for the ride." He grins. "Speaking of rides, don't you have that meeting with the investors at eleven?"
Shit. My watch confirms I'm cutting it close. I grab my jacket from the back of the chair, patting down pockets for keys.
"Thanks for breakfast. And... everything else."
"Anytime, buddy." Seth's expression turns serious. "Just don't overthink this one, okay? She's good for you."
The drive home gives me too much time to replay last night in my head. The soft curves of her body. The way she trusted us completely. The morning text that suggests she wants more.
Maybe Seth's right. Maybe I should stop analyzing and just enjoy whatever this is becoming.
My phone lights up with my best friend Donovan's name as I merge onto the highway. I tap the steering wheel, hitting 'connect'.
"Don, What's up?"
"Want to explain why my godson called me at six in the morning asking to borrow my Cutlass?" Donovan's gravelly voice fills the car. "Something about taking some little bitch on a date?"
A laugh escapes me. "Let me guess - his Jeep's probably sitting in an impound lot again."
"Bingo. Told him I'd rather set the Cutlass on fire than let him drive it. Kid's got some balls, I'll give him that."
"Sorry about that. He's been blowing through money faster than usual lately. Last week it was concert tickets, now this."
"Remember when we used to hot-wire cars for dates?" Donovan chuckles. "At least he's asking permission first."
"Don't remind me. And don't give him any ideas - he's already costing me a fortune in parking tickets and trashed hotel rooms."
"Maybe it's time for some tough love. Make him work for his own money."
"Yeah, because that worked so well last time." I tap my fingers on the wheel, remembering the disaster of his brief stint as a valet. "Three fender benders in two weeks."
"Jesus. Well, just wanted to give you a heads up before he starts working his way through everyone's garage."
"Thanks for the warning. And for not letting him near the Cutlass."
"Please. That car's my baby. Wouldn't trust it with anyone under forty."
"How's the construction site coming along?" I ask, merging onto the exit ramp.
"Ahead of schedule. These new steel beams are a dream to work with. My crew keeps bitching about the height - bunch of babies afraid of a little forty-story drop."
"That's why you're the foreman. Nobody else has the balls to dangle off skyscrapers all day."
"Speaking of balls, you sound different. Less... uptight than usual."
I blush. "Just had a good night."
"Oh yeah? Must've been real good - you sound different."
"Met someone at the Velvet Room. Abbie. She's..." Shit. Didn't mean to let that slip.
"Hold up. You're telling me Corey 'married-to-his-work' King is seeing someone?"
"It's new. Very new."
"About damn time. What's she like?"
"Beautiful. Smart. Works as a bartender at my place downtown." I squeeze the wheel even harder. "And before you ask - yes, she's younger."
"How much younger?"
"Young enough that I probably shouldn't be pursuing this."
Donovan's laugh rumbles through the speakers. "Since when do you let 'shouldn't' stop you? Hell, remember that time in Miami-"
"We agreed never to speak of Miami."
"Fair enough. But seriously - you sound happy. Been too long, buddy."
"It has." The thought of my son’s mother barely stings anymore. "Abbie's different though. Real. Genuine."
"Then don't overthink it. We should double date sometime - I'm seeing this yoga chick who'd love to meet the famous Corey King."
"Famous?"
"Well, infamous might be more accurate after last night, from the sound of it."
I smile before I can stop myself. "Who says anything happened last night?"
"Your voice gives you away every time, old friend. Always has."