Mia
Ihadn’t meant to fall asleep in Wrath’s bed.
I was only there to make sure he made it home, so imagine my surprise when I woke to find Wrath lying next to me.
I thought my mind was playing tricks on me.
He’d made his feelings pretty clear, so I was pretty surprised that he hadn’t woken me and forced me to leave.
I was even more surprised that he’d gotten in the bed with me.
It was almost daylight.
It was only a matter of time before he woke up, and I had a feeling I should leave before that happened. But there was something about lying there next to him when he felt so good, so warm and safe, and smelt so good, like fresh soap and cologne, that made it difficult to go.
And the fact that he was so very handsome.
I’d always found him attractive—even when he was a tall, lanky kid with a chip on his shoulder. He rarely smiled, but when he did, the world seemed to stop spinning. I felt that same feeling as I looked at him sleeping so soundly.
His tousled hair, slightly ruffled from sleep, called out to me, begging to be touched, but I dared not move.
I didn’t want to break the spell, so I remained still and quietly watched the rise and fall of his breath.
He looked so peaceful; his fierce features had been replaced with a look of innocence.
It was as if he’d finally gotten a reprieve from all the things that haunted him.
I wanted to stay there and relish the moment, but I knew my being there was putting us both in a compromising position.
I had to get out of there before someone caught us together, so I eased out of his bed, grabbed my things, and slipped out the door.
I snuck down the hall to my room, then slipped inside.
I put on my shoes, and after a quick check in the mirror, I headed out to the parking lot. Just as I was about to get in my car, I heard my brother call out to me, “Mia! Hold up!”
Dread washed over me as I watched Wyatt make his way over to me. I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t rushing over to wish me good morning, so I told him, “No time to chat! I’ve gotta get to work.”
“Mia!” he snapped, stopping me from closing my car door.
“What?”
“You wanna tell me why I just saw you sneak out of Wrath’s room?”
“I did no such thing.”
“Don’t lie to me, Mia.” He looked positively livid as he growled, “I saw you on the fucking camera.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“If I had a dime for every time you’ve said that...” He shook his head with a grump. “Just tell me you aren’t hooking up with him.”
“Whether I am or not is none of your business.”
“So, that’s a yes.” His cheeks flushed red with anger. “Goddamn it, Mia. Do you know what Stitch will...”
“I said it’s not what you think!”
“Then, what is it?” His expression softened, and his tone changed from angry to worried as he said, “Because I really don’t wanna have to kick his ass. Hell, I’m not even sure I can kick his ass. He’ll probably end up kicking mine. The man’s a fucking beast.”
“Which is all the more reason for you to just leave this alone.” I gave him one of my reassuring looks as I told him, “Besides, there is no reason for you to kick his ass or for him to kick yours. I promise, so please, just let it go.”
“I don’t like this.”
“Wyatt, please.”
“Okay. Okay, but don’t make me regret this.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Without saying anything more, I got in my car and closed the door.
Wyatt remained standing there as I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
I rushed home, and after a quick shower, I went straight to work.
I was running late, so I had no choice but to skip the coffee and pray that I could survive without it.
I might’ve been able to pull it off, but Garrett wasn’t one hundred percent happy with the edits I’d done on the coffee shop.
He decided it was best to do a complete reshoot, so I was stuck with even more edits.
It was fine. It was what I was there for, but after a night of very little sleep and no caffeine, I was struggling.
I couldn’t seem to focus, and hearing Garrett shouting in his office wasn’t helping matters.
His voice was so loud and gargled that I couldn’t even make out what he was saying, but it was clear that he was pretty upset about something.
Eventually, the screaming match ended, and I was able to finish up the edits and sent them to Garrett.
He’d only had them a few minutes when he appeared in my doorway with a soured expression. “Umm... What was that?”
“What was what?”
“The retouches.” He cocked his brow. “They’re um... not what I’d consider to be your best work.”
“Oh?” I sank down in my chair. “Were they not good?”
“No, they were good, but they weren’t great. Not like your usual work.”
“I’m really sorry. I’ll do them again.”
“Fine, but not today.” He crossed his arms. “You look like hell. Go home, get some rest, and start fresh tomorrow.”
“That’s really not necessary. I just need some coffee and...”
He actually sounded sincere as he replied, “It’s fine. Really. The day’s almost over anyway.”
“Okay. I’m really sorry. I just had a long night.”
“It happens.” He turned and started back to his office. “I expect you at your best tomorrow.”
“And you’ll have it. I promise.”
I gathered my things and left the office feeling both guilty and embarrassed.
I got to my car and berated myself as I drove to my apartment.
I couldn’t believe what a mess I’d made of things.
I should’ve never called Wrath. If I hadn’t, then I wouldn’t have gotten worried that something bad had happened to him.
And then, I wouldn’t have gotten the crazy idea to go to the clubhouse to check on him.
The whole thing was asinine, and I was furious with myself for letting my emotions get the best of me.
I continued on with my berating when I got home, and by the time I changed clothes, I’d worked myself into a terrible mood.
I grabbed a drink from the fridge and a bag of my favorite chips from the cupboard, then made my way into the living room.
I had just gotten settled on the sofa when there was a knock at my door, and it wasn’t just your average, everyday knock.
This was an angry pounding that sent my bad mood spiraling.
I stood up and charged across the room. I jerked open the door with a huff, and my jaw fell open when I found Wrath standing on the other side.
Without waiting to be invited in, he barged inside and announced, “We need to talk.”
“Well, hello to you, too.”
“I’m not fucking around, Mia,” Wrath growled. “You really screwed up last night.”
“Oh?” Even though I knew exactly what he was referring to, I propped my hand on my hip. “And how did I do that?”
“What didn’t you do?” he roared. “You called me when I was dealing with club shit, then you turned and called your father and told him you were talking to me. And if that wasn’t enough, you came to my room and slept in my fucking bed!”
“I wouldn’t have called if you hadn’t broken into my apartment!” I slammed the door, then turned to him and snapped, “And I only mentioned it to my father because I was worried that something was wrong! So, forgive me for caring!”
“No one asked you to care! And no one asked you to get in my bed!”
“And no one said you had to let me stay in it!” My hands started flying as I spat, “You could’ve woken me up and sent me on my way! But noooo.... You got in bed with me! What was that?”
“You were asleep!”
“So, you decided to cuddle up and get cozy?” I took a step towards him as I sassed, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you actually liked having me in your bed.”
“Fuck me.” He ran his fingers through his unruly hair. “You make this so damn hard.”
“I make what hard?”
“Everything!”
I didn’t respond.
I didn’t know how.
I didn’t know if I should be offended or flattered, so I just stood there and stared at him. Clearly frustrated by my lack of response, he shook his head and started for the door as he grumbled, “Just forget it.”
“So, that’s it? You’re just gonna leave?”
“I should’ve never come here.”
“But you did.” He stopped and turned to face me as I said, “And you let me sleep in your bed. And not only that, but you slept there with me. Why is that Wrath? Why didn’t you make me leave?”
“You know why.”
“I wouldn’t ask if I did.”
His eyes met mine in a heated glaze as he said something I never dreamed he would say. “Because the vault’s been opened, and I don’t have a fucking clue how to close it.”
“What vault?”
“It doesn’t matter. This can’t happen.”
“What can’t happen?”
“Don’t play innocent. You know damn well what I’m talking about. Hell, you’re the one who opened the fucking vault!”
Again, I didn’t respond—at least, not at first.
I took a moment, then muttered, “Clearly, you have regrets about that night, but I don’t... I don’t regret it at all.”
“Mia.”
“I don’t... I’d never experienced anything like I did that night, and if I’m being honest, it scares me to think that I might never get the chance to experience it again. So, be mad. Have your stupid regrets. Just know, I don’t feel the same.”
“You don’t get it.”
“Then, explain it to me!”
He lifted his hand to the nape of my neck, and for a brief moment, I thought he was going to pull me in for a kiss—a kiss I desperately wanted.
But just as he was drawing close, he hesitated.
I knew then it wasn’t going to happen. I won’t say I wasn’t disappointed.
I was, but the feeling quickly subsided when he lowered his mouth to my ear and whispered, “I don’t regret it either.
Hell, it’s the only thing I can think about. ”
A mix of desire and anticipation washed over me, sending a heated flush up my neck and cheeks. I’d meant what I’d told him. I’d never felt anything like I did when he touched me. It was like my entire body was burning with need, and from the way he was looking at me, he felt the same about me.