Chapter 17
Mel
The next morning, I woke up with a start, hearing an alarm clock.
Glancing around, it took me a few minutes to realize I wasn’t home.
The annoying sound came from the nightstand—from a digital clock.
I immediately silenced it and checked the time.
It was seven forty-five. Glancing at the other side, I realized Dylan wasn't in bed.
Had he set the alarm just for me? That was thoughtful.
Rising from the bed, I instinctively looked around for something to put on before remembering my clothes were in the dryer.
And he only had those pesky little towels that covered nothing.
Well, then, I was going to roam naked through his apartment.
I was confident he’d enjoy a peep show first thing in the morning.
As I approached the living room, I heard Dylan’s voice loud and clear. He was probably on the phone.
I yawned, rubbing my eyes before stepping inside the living room carefully, glancing around. He was on the couch, holding his laptop on his thighs.
Holy shit! There was a green dot lit right next to the camera. He had his camera on, and I was buck naked.
The next few seconds were a blur. Dylan immediately shifted his laptop to one side, looking over his shoulder.
At the same time, I took a giant step to the left, hoping to get out of the radius of the camera.
I slammed into a bookshelf with my forehead.
It hurt as if I’d sliced it open. My teeth clattered painfully.
My eyes watered. Dylan exited the online meeting and was next to me in a matter of seconds, putting an arm around my waist.
"Babe, fuck. Are you okay?"
"Um, yeah. Sorry for the peep show. I thought you were on the phone."
"They didn’t see anything. I turned the laptop away out of reflex, but that part of the room wasn’t in the range of the camera. How are you feeling? Need some ice?”
I looked up at him, smiling. "I’m okay. I wanted to surprise you by stomping in here naked, and I guess I surprised your whole team."
His jaw tightened. "Again, they didn’t see anything."
"Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that," I teased.
"I have to or I'll go insane."
"Mr. Gallagher, are you feeling possessive again?
"Fuck yes. I don't want anyone to see how gorgeous you are. Then they'll take you away from me."
I started to wiggle my eyebrows but abruptly stopped because it was making my forehead hurt. " Please. I don't think anyone can give me as many orgasms as you do. That's an incentive right there for me to stay."
“Good to know. I have a few other tricks up my sleeve.”
Taking a step back, I took a good look at him. He was wearing jeans and a white polo T-shirt and looked suspiciously perfect.
“How come you’re so fresh? We went to sleep at the same time.”
“I always wake up at this time. Got an hour of coding done before the management meeting.”
I blinked rapidly. “Wait, when do you wake up exactly?”
“At five.”
“Holy shit. Every day?”
“Yes.” He laughed, kissing my forehead.
“Wow. This is blowing my mind.” I cuddled against him, loving the feeling of his arms around me. I rolled my hips into him, and it took me a few seconds to realize he had a hard-on. Jerking my head back, I looked up at him. “Was this here before?”
His eyes were full of humor. “You need coffee.”
“Nah, I’m not a coffee drinker. But I always need about an hour after I get up from bed to feel awake. Possibly longer after a night like the one we had.”
“You complaining, Mel?” A sly grin spread on his handsome face.
“No, no. I was making an observation.” I scrunched my nose, trying to remember why I’d come in the living room buck naked. “Oh, my clothes. They’re in the dryer, right?” Just as I said that, it dawned on me, “Oh shit. We never got them out from the washing machine.”
“Relax, I did it this morning.”
My eyes widened. “Wow.”
“The perks of getting up early.”
“True. Besides, you’re very good at fondling me.”
“Are you implying that you don’t like what I do to you when I’m sleepy?”
“I always like your hands on me.” I lowered my voice to a teasing whisper. “But your technique is better when you’re fully awake.”
He gripped my ass cheeks with his hands, pulling me against him. “See? You’re proving my point.”
I covered his hands with mine, swatting them away before turning around. “Now, I need my clothes.”
I only got a few steps before I felt his hands on my shoulders, steering me to the left. “Wrong direction. The guest bathroom is this way.”
“Ah, what would I do without you?”
“Hurry up. We have time for a quick breakfast too.”
“Are you sure?”
"Yes. I ordered it a while ago from a restaurant I really like. It’s already here.” He pointed with his head toward the kitchen island.
I followed his direction with my gaze. My eyes bulged. He’d woken up early, before his meeting, and ordered breakfast? Who was this guy, and could I keep him forever?
No, no, no . I couldn't think like that. We had agreed from the beginning that we were not on the same page, and I was okay with that. I didn't want to go in and change the rules of the game right now. That had never worked before.
"Okay. I'm going to get dressed, and I'll be right back."
I headed to the bathroom to get my clothes, and oh shit, Dylan must have selected the wrong program.
While my skirt was okay, my shirt had shrunk a bit.
My navel was on display. I looked like an extra in a ’90s video.
Walking to the mirror, I realized it was worse than I thought.
I tried to tug at it, but it was no use.
Oh well, it would have to do for the short trip to the gym.
I was wearing short things there all the time.
Maybe I could pass it off as a training shirt of some sort.
I combed my hair with my hands, and I noticed he had toothpaste in a glass between the two sinks. I quickly put some paste on my finger and used it to sort of brush my teeth. It wasn't great, but it was better than having stinky morning breath.
He'd brushed his teeth already because I'd gotten a hint of mint when he'd stopped me from toppling the bookshelf, and I did want to kiss him before I left.
I wanted to kiss him thoroughly so it could last me for the whole weekend.
Last night had been incredible. My body was still aching, which was proof that I hadn't imagined all the delicious things he’d done to me.
I found him at the kitchen island already, looking hot as sin as he arranged croissants on plates.
“Oh, yummm…,” I said, practically eating it all up with my eyes. “These look delicious.” Taking one, I immediately bit into it and moaned in delight. It had a mix of chocolate and apricot jam inside.
I felt Dylan at my back. Instead of devouring a croissant himself, he was kissing the side of my neck.
Hell yes. This was the way to start the day. Eating something delicious while this godlike man was covering me with kisses.
"What are you doing later today?" he whispered against my skin.
"I'm probably going to go shopping for a phone. I’ll buy the new model. I’ll email Dad from the gym’s computer to tell him about the phone so he doesn’t panic when he can’t reach me.”
“Shit, I forgot about that. I need a new one too. But I wanted to talk to you about something. I'm meeting my family and some friends at Isabelle’s new house. Want to join us?"
I blinked a few times, stopping mid-bite. My heart was beating faster. He wants me to spend time with him and his siblings? Wow. Last night with my dad was different. It had been unexpected, but this was an invitation. I couldn’t figure out what it meant, but perhaps I didn’t need to.
I wanted to have a fun Saturday with him and the rest of the Gallagher clan. I just had to make sure I didn’t lose my heart in the process too.
“Mm, that sounds tempting. What are we going to do?"
"I'm not sure yet, but if past meetings with my family are any indication, it will probably revolve around talking about the wedding. I think I already know everything by heart."
I turned around, pointing at him. "Hey, don't be such a grouch. It’ll be a very happy day for your sister.”
"I know. That's why I'm putting up with it. You have no idea on how many things I had to give my opinion on.”
I found that extremely cute, especially knowing weddings were a sore spot for him.
“Ian always makes fun of her, that she goes into the zone when she talks about D-day, and he’s right," he added.
“You two are so bad.” I ate the rest of the croissant, checking the time on his oven display. “I’ve got to go, or I’ll be late.”
“I can drive you.”
“No, it’s okay. The walk will wake me up.”
“When do you finish?” he asked.
“At ten.”
“Okay. I’ll pick you up in front of the gym.”
I made to go, but he pinned me back against the island, kissing me hard and deep. I tugged at his shirt, running my fingers through his hair. He tasted like coffee. He was relentless in his exploration.
“Dylan,” I whispered when we paused to breathe.
In response, he groaned, rocking his hips into me. “Go before I change my mind and keep you here.”
“Ha! As if you could convince me.”
“Don’t tempt me.” He feathered his thumb from one corner of my mouth to the other. The look in his eyes was feral. My knees weakened a little, and I realized he’d have no problem convincing me.
Clearing my throat, I stepped to one side. “Okay. I’m going now.”
I moved quickly to the corridor, putting on my gladiator sandals.
They were still wet, and the shape had changed a bit, but I was hoping they’d recover.
He opened the door for me, and I didn’t miss the glint of mischief in his eyes.
I pointed two fingers at his eyes as I walked backward out of the apartment.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I warned, punching the elevator button with my free hand. It was already on this floor, so the doors opened.
“Why, afraid of my powers of persuasion?”
“Exactly,” I said, stepping inside.
I heard his laughter right until the doors of the elevator closed. I was laughing too, checking my lips in the mirror. My outfit was just as tragic as before, but I couldn’t deny there was a glow to my cheeks and eyes that was all due to Dylan.
Oh, Mel, what are you getting yourself into? And more importantly, how are you going to get back out?