Chapter FourCalista
Chapter Four
Calista
The feel of his strong, large hand resting on my back reminds me where I am and what I did last night. I gave my body to the most amazing lover ever. Or at least that’s what it felt like. After all, I have no real experience to call upon.
The sun is up, and I turn my head, checking the clock on the nightstand. Damn, it’s already nine, and I have class at noon so I need to move my ass to make it there in time. The class moves at lightning speed, so you can’t miss a moment or you’ll be so behind.
Next week, we take our finals in the Peds section and move on to the ER rotation. I’m sure I’ll pass, but the thought of working in the ER makes me nervous. Still, I have no choice but to do the rotation.
I lift my head and peek at Ian, thinking about last night and how perfect it was. I let out a soft sigh, then I slap my hand to my mouth. Getting out of here before he wakes up is the best situation for me. I have a busy day, and I’m sore already. Besides, I have no idea how to handle this whole one-night-stand business.
Sliding out from under him, I slink off the bed and find my dress. Quickly dressing, I take my purse and shoes in hand and walk out of the suite. Ian made sure he wiped all traces of innocence from me. If I didn’t have a shift this afternoon, I might have see if he’s interested in another amazing round of sex. Hell, I had no idea it could be so damn incredible. My ex-boyfriend was such a shitty kisser and groper that I never let him get in my pants. This man had me clinging to his body while he fucked me on every surface of the hotel.
Damn, I’ll never forget the hot man, but my life is fully focused on my career, and my sexy lover definitely wasn’t the marriage and happily-ever-after kind. I wonder how often he scoops up women from the bar.
As I enter the elevator, I’m relieved that I started birth control last month. With the urge to eventually give away my v-card, I started the pill, which is perfect since we both must have been too fucked up for wrapping up. Okay, I wasn’t quite as messed up, although I was buzzed from the shot and one drink at the bar, plus the half bottle of beer that Jacob gave me.
I’ll make sure to visit the doctor for any sort of STIs. God, I can’t believe how irresponsible I was, but there was something different about Ian that made me forget all common sense and safety. He could have been a crazy serial killer. Then again, in a matter of minutes I learned several things about him, including that he assists his brother who owns the club, so he can’t be too terrible. At least that’s what I tell myself to feel better about the serious lack of judgement.
I catch a cab and head to my tiny apartment. Just as I get inside, my cell rings in my purse, and I pull it out. It’s Jacob. He’s probably freaking out. “How is your hangover?”
“It hasn’t kicked in yet,” I mutter. A hangover isn’t what I have going on. Although, there’s pain in other spots of my body.
“How did you get home?” he asks.
“A cab.” It’s not a lie because there were several outside of the hotel, and I hopped in the first available one. It was just a matter of time, not that it was any of his business.
“Not that club owner guy who stole you from us?” he questions, sounding a bit too curious.
“No. We parted ways when he had some business to handle, so I caught a cab home.”
“Good. We were worried about you.” Funny, because no one stopped him or bothered to call me last night after they left. They all stood back and watched as if they were too afraid to counteract his decree.
“Thanks, but as you can hear I got home safe.”
“That’s good. I hope you didn’t get his number or let him get yours.”
“Why?” I ask in a bit of a snit. Jacob doesn’t have a claim to me. We are friends and nothing more, so it’s none of his business who I associate with.
“Don’t get mad. I’m just looking out for you. That club is owned by mobsters.”
“What?” The color in my face goes from olive to pale in a flash of a second.
“Yeah, it’s owned by the MacNamara family.” The name rings a bell, but it’s a common Irish name, so it’s reasonable for me to have heard it before.
“Well, I didn’t get his number, and he didn’t get mine. I’ve got to let you go so I can get ready for class.”
“Okay. See you soon.” I end the call and then look up the MacNamara name. As soon as the search results pop up, I see what happened last year. Their baby brother was kidnapped. I gasp as I read about it. There is a photo of the little boy, but that’s it. Nothing else.
Damn. That’s terrible. It’s been almost a year since the day that he was taken. I hope they find him, and find him alive. My heart aches for the little boy, but a painful sensation strikes me. What if Ian knew about my father and intentionally seduced me? What if he didn’t know, and they have some sort of tension between them?
My alarm goes off, reminding me to get off my ass and get ready, so I head to my bedroom and shower quickly. When I get out of the shower I see my reflection, I realize that Ian marked my body. “Shit.” I pull out the fancy magic cover-up that Maggie bought me last year and hope it does the trick.
Once I dry off and get dressed for class, I paint the miracle cream on my neck and upper chest. Luckily, it seems to have worked. I check the weather for today. Thankfully it’s May and the weather is blustery, so I’ll have an excuse to wear a hoodie to class. I don’t need anyone to be aware that I went to a hotel with a rumored mobster.
Something about what Jacob said bothers me, so I call my dad before I leave my house. I have a serious question for him. “Dad, did you know that the club is owned by mobsters?”
“Well, hello and good afternoon to you too, Princess.”
“Sorry, Dad. Good afternoon,” I say, feeling bad that I’m practically shouting at him without a simple greeting.
“And to answer your question, yes—but it’s not a big deal because the club is considered extremely safe.”
“Yes, but not to the daughter of another mo—”
“Don’t finish that sentence, young lady. Did something happen to you?” he asks. His voice is tinged with concern, which I expect.
“No, but my friend from school told me who the owners were,” I say, only half lying. If he knew I had sex with one of the MacNamara men, he might do something crazy. It’s one thing if I marry a made man, but just having sex with him is a different story.
“Well, then, what are you complaining about?”
“Nothing. Never mind. I have to go to class.”
“Make sure you come see us soon. Your mom and I miss you.” He’s talking about my stepmother, who is a sweetheart; my mother was killed by a car bomb when I was three. What’s worse was it came from her own family in an attempt to create a war.
“Okay. I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, Princess.” Ending the call, I grab my book bag and leave my apartment, hoping to make it through the day without all the questions from everyone. Shit, I still have to ask Maggie what Ian was talking about. Were they actually fucking on the lounge seats before I returned from the bar?
I enter my class and see Jacob, who waves me over to a spot he saved.
“Hey, you made it in time.”
“I’m surprised you made it since you were pretty messed up last night.”
“That’s nothing. I wish we had a chance to hang out. I’m sure it would have been more fun than dancing with that asshole.” I highly doubt it, but I don’t say what I’m thinking because it’s rude, and as a lab partner and classmate, he is exceptional.
“I still had a good night, and the best sleep ever,” I say with a yawn. I laugh. “Well, I guess I could have used an extra hour or two.”
“I’m sure this lecture will do the trick. How about we go out tonight to have a do-over?”
“No, thanks. My birthday and special occasions are the only time I’m going out. School is too important.”
“Okay, but don’t go getting burned out.”
“I won’t.” I’ve never been a partier so it’s no damn big deal, but I don’t want to be pressured either. Sighing, I opened my notebook because I didn’t have time to print the notes for today’s class. Digging in, I avoid making conversation with Jacob and focus on class.
The rest of the day is a blur between learning and thinking about Ian—a habit I have to stop.