Chapter 22
Cassie
“I ’m coming,” I call out.
Quinn sits up so quickly on the dense mattress, it’s like someone’s just shoved a hot coal up his ass. “Cassie,” he hisses through gritted teeth. “What the hell?”
“What the hell, what ?”
“You couldn’t have just pretended you weren’t here?” he whispers, trying to keep his voice down. He glides his legs over the edge of the bed and remains there with his fingers running back and forth through his hair. “Acted like you were asleep, or something?”
Oh, yeah.
Of course, that’s what I should have done.
“I panicked, I guess.”
“It’ll be fine.” Quinn rushes across the room, grabbing a white robe from behind the bathroom door. I follow him, and he hands it to me. “Here, put this on. Turn the lights off, and then go answer the door. Tell him you’re alright, but you’re tired, and you just want to go to sleep. Tell him you’ll call him in the morning.”
I can do that. “Okay.”
Quinn gathers up all his scattered clothes from around the room—his trousers and boxer shorts that lay abandoned on the floor along with his shirt, belt, shoes, and socks.
“Oh, and lose the heels,” he whispers.
Another knock.
Kicking off my stilettoes, I get a view of Quinn’s tight backside as he scoops up his clothes and then jogs into the bathroom. It’s captivating to say the least.
Once my head’s steadfastly back in the game, I flick off the light switch, pull the robe a little tighter around myself, and crack the door open a fraction.
“Hey, what’s up,” I say, all cool and casual like. But in reality, there’s nothing cool or casual about any of this.
“You said you weren’t feeling well,” says Nick, through the bare inch of space I offer him. “I just wanted to check on you before I head home. I’m bored, and have I mentioned how much I fucking hate Silas York? The guy has had his tongue shoved down Dee’s throat for the past hour and I can only imagine where he’s sleeping tonight.” He rolls his eyes. “Also, I got them to box up your dinner for you. Here…”
“Oh, thanks. That’s really sweet of you.”
Nick steps forward, his shoe nudging the bottom of the door. But I don’t step back, making him pause. “What’s wrong?
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just…” I yawn widely, pressing the back of my hand to my forehead. It’s all very damsel in di stress. I should win an Academy Award for this performance. “Thanks for stopping by, but I’m looking forward to an early night. You can leave.”
The man just stares at me. “What about your dinner?”
“Honestly, Nick, I’m fine…”
As I trail off, I notice Nick’s expression, and the hurt in his eyes makes me second guess myself. It cuts into me like a sword, and I actually feel really sorry for him.
Reaching for the foil covered box, I hold it in my hands, and I tell him, “Thank you, I might get hungry later, and I’ll eat it then. I’ve got, uh…I’ve got a bit of a stomach ache, that’s all. And I’m really tired. I’m just going to…” My fingers drag through my hair, working out some of the knots. I can only imagine how I look, probably look like I’ve just hiked the Pacific Northwest. My makeup—I’m not even going to hazard a guess. “I’m just going to hit the sack. Thanks so much again for the room. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
I go to shut the door again, but Nick’s hand flies out, blocking me. “Wait, do you mind if I use the bathroom real quick?”
“Oh, I…uh—” Glancing briefly over my shoulder, nervous energy suddenly has me feeling very on edge. I plaster a smile on my face to help cover the nerves, but I’m not sure Nick’s buying it. “Sorry, what’s that now?”
“The bathroom, Cassie. I need to take a leak.”
“Can’t you just wait until you get home?”
“Come on, let me in. I’ll only be a couple of minutes, and then I’ll get out of your hair.” The worry in his gaze turns to mild amusement. “Which looks like a burning bush right now. What the hell were you doing, kid? ”
With a deep sigh, I reluctantly step away from the door, opening it just wide enough for Nick to walk into the darkened room.
“Bathroom’s over there,” I say, switching on the lights. But apparently I say it way too loudly and with way too much conviction because Nick slowly turns to look at me, his thick eyebrows furrowed together in a sort of scowl.
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
I give him two solid thumbs up. Real subtle, Cassie. And then I watch in dismay as he disappears across the room, closing the bathroom door behind him.
I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for all hell to break loose.
This could really go one of two ways.