Chapter eight
Connor’s Apartment, The Level
Samantha
I wake to an empty bedroom. Connor has disappeared, but the distinct smell of him is still fresh on the dark silk.
Lifting my arms, I stretch, then wiggle my toes to ensure all parts of my body are still in one piece after last night.
As we’ve come to know each other better, our sex sessions have become more adventurous.
When Connor says he wants you immobile to do with as he pleases, he means it.
The bedroom door opens, swinging backward and bouncing off the wall. Connor stands bollock naked in the doorway holding a tray. His deep brown eyes dance as he walks across the room; his cock hangs softened between his legs, but there’s no mistaking the familiar swell starting as he comes closer.
“Morning, Nurse Coleman,” he says with a dazzling grin. “Can I interest you in some sustenance before your first day at work?”
“I’ve got a long way to go before I become a qualified nurse,” I tell him, pushing myself up to sit. He places the tray onto my lap, full of freshly made scrambled eggs and toast waiting to be eaten alongside a steaming latte. “It’s merely orientation anyway.”
“It’s day one of your new career. This is an important milestone. Eat.” He sits down on the edge of the bed, watching me intently as I lift the first forkful of eggs to my mouth. “How are you feeling?”
“Terrified. It’s one hell of a career change.”
“You’ll be amazing. And I can’t wait to see you in your new uniform.” He reaches forward and runs deft fingers from my earlobe to the base of my throat. “I’m glad you decided to stop dancing,” he admits.
“Why?” I ask, unsure what he’s going to say.
“Because the only man I want you to dance for is me.”
His admission surprises me. He’s never given me any indication my work at Guilty Pleasures made him uncomfortable.
I place my fork back onto the plate, then turn in his direction to give him my full attention.
He looks down at his hands, twisting his fingers together, clearly uncomfortable.
“Were you jealous, Mr. Chase?” I tease gently, all the while feeling guilty. Connor is unaware that Russell follows me. He also doesn’t know that he watched me dance at the club. And I am one hundred percent confident he would have a coronary if he knew his brother had watched us have sex.
Russell may have stopped speaking to me, but his presence never leaves.
He’s my silent shadow, always watching, waiting, and clearing any threat from my path.
Occasionally, a message from an unknown number will pop onto my screen.
It can vary from a warning about my safety to complimenting what I wear.
But I know it’s him—he’s the only man ever to call me Trouble.
My relationship with Connor, if you can call it that, has progressed so naturally, it’s kind of unnerving. In the past, men have made demands of me, but Connor doesn’t. We discuss our schedules and plan time together which suits us both. He adds a relaxed calm to my life I didn’t know I needed.
His apartment has grown on me, too. At first, I found the lavish decoration and expensive content mildly disconcerting.
The thought of smashing a drinking glass which cost three figures to replace was eye-watering.
However, we’ve broken more than a few during dinner when he decides he can’t wait any longer to have me, and Connor doesn’t seem to care how much damage is caused as long as I’m willing to be his.
What I’ve discovered about him is that, although he’s quiet, control is something Connor doesn’t like to give up.
He has a subtle but domineering quality that’s hard to say no to, and in all honesty, I wouldn’t want to.
My willingness to give my body to him has surprised me more than anything as our relationship has developed.
For once in my life, I want someone else to be in charge while I enjoy the ride.
Connor stands, then strides over to the huge walk-in wardrobe set to the right-hand side.
He disappears from view, and I focus on eating my breakfast.
The layout inside his closet is insane, suit after suit and shirt after shirt hanging precisely in their designated position.
It’s the exact opposite of my clothing, which lays discarded on my bedroom floor or over the ironing board waiting to be smoothed out.
On my first overnight, I’d woken around three and stumbled out of bed naked in search of his ensuite.
A wrong turn had landed me in the center of his dressing area.
After flicking on the light, I’d stood with my jaw hanging open as I surveyed the insane wealth surrounding me.
Beyond the suits and shirts, there were designer shoes, watches, and cufflinks.
It was more of a store than a personal dressing area.
Connor appeared after waking and finding me gone. He had watched from the doorway, his expression nervous. When our eyes met, I tried to smile, but I believe it must have been more of a frown as sadness flitted over his features.
“Everything okay?” he’d asked.
“Sure,” I murmured, embarrassed at being caught snooping. “I was just trying to get to the bathroom.”
“Next door along.” He sighed softly. “Come back to bed, please. I miss you.”
“Your life is so different from mine. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to have all this,” I’d said as he went to turn away. He paused, then twisted back to face me. I gestured at the racks of clothing and items laid out on shelves.
“They’re only clothes, Sam. Inanimate objects with little value beyond a price tag.”
“It’s not only the clothes…” I’d trailed off, nervous to show any insecurity. He stepped into the closet, taking my hand and encouraging me to sit on the small velvet bench in the center. He lowered beside me, then wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him.
“What else is bothering you?”
“I’m not the kind of girl you normally date,” I said simply.
“I don’t normally date, but I’m pleased that you’ve accepted we are.” He smiled, then pressed a small kiss on my forehead. “I was beginning to think you were just using me for your selfish pleasure.”
“You don’t date,” I scoffed, but I laughed at his comment. The way he fucks me, I’d be forgiven for thinking I’m the one being used. But hell, I enjoy it. “I don’t believe that.”
“It’s true,” he shot back, his eyes narrowing with irritation. “It’s been a few years since I actively dated. The women I’ve met in the past were incompatible with me, and I gave up trying.”
“And you think we are compatible?” He frowned again, clearly confused by my question. “A girl from the streets and a top-notch lawyer.”
“You’re not from the streets. A little white cottage next to the sea with hard-working parents does not constitute that. Stop talking shit about yourself.”
He wrapped me a fraction tighter in his arm.
“And just because you’ve had to work in less savory industries doesn’t reflect who you are. Sometimes we have to do things to survive.”
“Less savory.” I giggled. “I think you mean sex work.”
“And it’s in the past, and this is your future. What happened back then doesn’t define who you are now, but it helped you become the most incredible woman today.”
He leaned in a little closer, his warm breath tickled my lips.
I’d blinked at him, stunned by his compliment.
“If you haven’t noticed, I think you’re fucking awesome.”
Connor reappearing fully dressed interrupts my recollection.
He walks back over to the bed and sits down once more.
In his crisp white shirt and dark trousers, he looks every inch the lawyer as he carries his suit jacket over one arm.
The silver ribbon on a small black box in his hand glints in the morning light.
“What’s it?” I ask as he passes it to me. Then, he lifts the tray from my knees and places it on the bedside table.
“You won’t know until you open it. It’s a gift, that’s the idea. It’s a surprise.”
“Smart ass,” I mutter and pull the lid from the plain little box. Inside is soft pink tissue paper wrapped around a small object. I pull the little parcel from its resting place and unwrap it to find a lanyard. The most stunning lanyard I’ve ever seen.
The material is woven strands of gold, black, and silver. Above the clip where you would attach your identification are five small silver charms. I hold it up and stare at what should be a simple functional item, but there is so much more to it.
“I figured you would need one of these for your name badge,” he says quietly, and my eyes flick to him before returning to the little charms. “Each one means something. I thought it would be a good reminder for you about how far you’ve come to get here.”
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, my emotion surfacing unexpectedly. “Did you pick all these?”
He nods. “The cottage for your childhood. The high-heel for your time dancing. The heart because it was your kind heart that led you to me after you helped Violet.”
He pauses, allowing me a moment to digest his explanation.
“The law scales is for me because I want you to know I support you even on the toughest days. And finally, the stethoscope because medicine is where your future lies.”
“You’re so thoughtful,” I murmur, then turn and take his face in my hands. “I love it. Thank you.” Our lips connect, and I push my tongue into his mouth. His hands move to my hair, and he starts to climb up on the bed as his bedroom door flies open. “Raincheck,” I whisper.
“Bestie! Today is the day!” Violet’s shriek resonates off the walls. She waddles into the middle of the room, her nine-month-pregnant bump leading the way. Her brother, who has me pinned below him, groans then climbs off the bed. I pull the duvet up over my breasts.
“Timing, Vi,” he says, grumpily. “Your timing, as always, sucks.”
“Yes, I’m a cock block. Now, go away. Let me help my friend here get ready for her first day as a nurse.” She stops directly in front of him; he towers over her small frame. Delicate hands with perfectly painted pink nails land on her hips and she cocks her head to the side. “Go.”
“This is my bedroom. You weren’t allowed in it when we were kids, and the same rules apply as adults. Actually, how did you get in here?”
“Harry gave me his key.” She dangles the little bundle millimeters from his nose. He lifts a hand to snatch them, and she pulls it away to her side.
“Gave you it or did you take it without asking?”
She shrugs, not confirming or denying anything. Then her future husband's voice—they’re due to be married in a matter of weeks—sounds from the hallway.
“Vi, are you in here?” Harrison appears, and I pull the covers further around myself.
“Where the fuck are my keys?” She spins the little bundle on her finger and smiles at him.
He tries to look aggravated but chuckles, then walks over and wraps his arms around her before dropping a kiss on her nose. “You are such a pain in my ass.”
“Always,” she replies, biting her lip. “How did you find me?”
“You left every fucking door open. It wasn’t a hard trail to follow. Did you find what you were looking for?”
“I did,” she says, turning and gesturing to me, still naked in bed.
“This is my fucking bedroom,” Connor states, his words sharp. “No one should be in here unless invited. You two are the worst fucking neighbors.”
“It could be worse,” Harrison suggests with a grin. “You could live on the same floor as Russell. Come on. Let us go get a coffee and leave these ladies to it.” Connor's attention moves to me and I smile, encouraging him to go.
“I’ll see you before I leave,” I tell him. “My train isn’t until eight-thirty.”
“I’ve delayed my nine o’clock,” he replies. “I’ll drive you.” Before I can respond, he turns and follows Harrison from the bedroom. I watch him leave, my heart fluttering in my chest.
“Oh my word, I love the fact you are dating my brother,” Violet says excitedly, then sits down on the edge of the bed. “I mean, we’ll be sister-in-laws!”
“Calm down, it’s early days. We haven’t put a definition on what this is. And I won’t be walking down any aisle any time soon.”
“Except the contraception one,” she suggests with a smile. “Come on, let's get you ready for your big day.”
***
Connor takes my hand as we step into the elevator outside his apartment. He hits the button for the underground parking lot, but the glass box that looks out over the city begins to rise toward the penthouse.
“Wrong button?” I say with a smile.
“Russ must have called it before we got in.”
My heart sinks slightly. It’s been such a lovely morning, and I’m so looking forward to the first day of my new career.
The last person I want to come face to face with is Russell.
As my relationship with Connor grows, my awareness of his brother does, too.
Within an hour of handing my notice into Guilty Pleasures, my phone had lit up with an anonymous message.
I’ll miss you. You were my favorite part of the week.
My fingers lift to the charms on my new lanyard, patiently hanging around my neck for my ID card. “I love this, by the way. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Connor replies, leaning down to kiss my cheek.
The doors open, and Russell steps into the small space with no more than a grunt of acknowledgment.
Mrs. D, their shared housekeeper, waves manically behind him to us all.
She smiles wildly, and I can’t help but wave back.
Connor blows her a kiss, then the doors close and the elevator starts its descent.
“Garage?” Russell says.
“I assume you’re asking if we are going to the garage,” his brother retorts, and they scowl at one another.
“Well, I need my fucking car to get to the office for our nine o’clock.” He emphasizes the word “our;” clearly, he knows Connor won’t be in the office then.
“That meeting is delayed until ten. I’m taking Sam to her first day at the hospital.”
Russell’s focus comes to me. Dark, dangerous eyes move from the top of my head down my body then back up to my lips. My eyes move between the brothers, similar but different, and both oh-so sexy. Naughtily, my mind paints a picture of what it would be like to have both of them.
“Not the nurse’s uniform I had in mind,” Russell says. “The ones I like have suspender belts and crotchless underwear. The kind of nurses that get you into trouble.” The pet name he uses for me rolls off his tongue, and my insides tighten.
“Piss off, Russ,” Connor mutters. “You don’t always have to be the arsehole. Wishing Sam luck on her first day would be the normal human reaction.”
I reach for his hand and link our fingers together, uneasy with the current situation.
Connor seems oblivious to the fact Russell is eyeing me like a cat does a mouse.
“Good luck, Trouble. I hope you have a wonderful first day in your new employment.”
My mind almost explodes as he calls me Trouble in front of his brother within the tiny enclosed space.
Connor stiffens beside me but doesn’t comment.
I’ve noticed he can hold his tongue and assess a situation before reacting.
Thankfully, the buzzer pings when we reach our destination, and the doors open. Russell turns around and stalks out into the parking garage. Connor and I look on as he climbs into his car and drives away.