Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
BAILEY
The sound of footsteps in the hall outside my door is my alarm clock every morning. I squeeze my eyes tighter, then give in and blink them open against the morning sun. I didn’t close the curtains last night because when Chad—
Oh no.
I jolt upright and turn to the sexy man spread out beside me. His hands are tucked behind his head, and his smile widens when he sees I’m awake. “Do you know you snore?”
“What are you still doing here?”
He ignores me. “Not a cute snore either. It sounded like a pig. And not, like, a piglet, but one of those big mommas.”
I narrow my eyes. “Thank you for that information, but don’t you think you should be gone already?”
“Yeah, hours ago. But I woke up five minutes before you and could already hear people out there. Somehow I didn’t think you’d want your brothers seeing me do the walk of shame from your room.”
I cringe. “I can’t believe we fell asleep.”
“I can. You’re all warm and cuddly.”
I toss another glare his way. “This isn’t funny.”
“Didn’t say it was. But no amount of panic will rewind time, so, eh.”
“Eh?” I toss a pillow his way. “It’s easy to be calm about this when we’re not in your house. Unlike you, I’m new here. I’m trying to make friends, not ostracize them.”
“You’re off to a good start. I can say with complete confidence that you were very friendly last night.”
A laugh slips from me. “Somehow I don’t think I can use those skills on my brothers.”
“What about Lucas?” There’s something in his tone that gives me pause.
“What about him?”
“You think he’s been asking you out—sounds exactly like the type of chummy business he’d be on board with.”
Yes, I am certainly detecting tone. “Possibly. I guess I’ll wait and see.”
I’m not expecting it when he wraps a warm arm around my waist and pulls me back onto the bed. He rolls so he’s half on top of me, weight pressing me into the mattress, and I melt.
“Wait and see all you like—poor Lucas is going to have to deal with being second. Every time you’re around him, you’re going to be all, Chad is funnier than you, Chad is so much more interesting than you, Chad has big muscles and a monster cock and sucks dick better than you …”
“Should I be concerned that you know how both you and Lucas suck dick and have somehow managed to compare the two?”
He shrugs. “I’d be willing to put money down. I’ve got good instincts.”
“I’ll make sure to report back, then.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks, but he quickly covers it.
“Well, since I can’t exactly sneak out now, it looks like our one night has turned into a whole night and day, so …
” He shifts so his hard-on presses against mine.
“I’ll have to make sure that I leave you with no doubt who’s more skilled at making you come. ”
Before I can argue that thought, he thrusts against me, and all need to play things cool goes out the window.
“I guess we did agree to once more.”
Chad spits into his palm and reaches down between us, wrapping his hand around our cocks.
I lean up and kiss him, biting and licking and nipping as he ruts against me until we’re both spilling over his fist and onto my stomach.
He drops his head to my chest, lips brushing over my collarbone. “Is being sex drunk a thing?”
“If it’s not, I’d say there’s a good argument for it.” I run my hand through his hair, feeling warm and sated and light. “Just how drunk do you think we could get if we keep doing that all day?”
He laughs softly. “Ah, shit.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve gotta get to work.”
Disappointment hits my gut. “You can’t call in sick?”
“Sure. I can’t see my boss taking issue with me wanting the day off so I can come my brains out.”
“Well, you wouldn’t say that, obviously.”
He pretends to gasp. “Lie for you? You might be sexy, Princess, but you’re not sexy enough to corrupt me. Yet.”
Chad climbs out of bed, and there’s nothing I can do but clean myself up with the boxers I was wearing last night, then roll onto my side and watch him.
“If I had muscles, would I be sexy enough to lie for?”
He looks surprised I asked. “Nah, you’ve got to give the rest of us a chance.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re gonna make me say it?”
“Sure.”
“Fine, I’m not embarrassed.” He leans down on the bed, face near mine, his boxer briefs the only item of clothing he’s managed to pull on so far.
“I think you are so fucking perfect. Your face, your body … the way your eyes flutter when you come. You’re hot as hell and you know it and I know it, so that’s me done feeding your ego. ”
Okay, I wasn’t expecting all that. I play it off like it’s nothing. “My ego’s now incredibly satisfied, thank you.” I smile as I lie down on my front, hands propped under my chin as I watch him finish dressing. “How do you plan on getting out of here without being seen?”
“Dunno.” His large fingers work to secure his buttons. “I probably won’t, but it’s all good. The last thing people are gonna suspect when they see me creeping around the house is that I’ve come fresh from a hookup.”
“That’s true.”
“And as insurance, I’m taking this.” Chad picks up a clock I have sitting on my dresser.
“Go for it.” I’m not telling him that it’s new and hasn’t got any points assigned. “Then I won’t feel bad for taking that.” I point to his lamp.
“You haven’t given it to Charles yet?”
“Nope.” I don’t meet his eye. “It was a bit sneaky, so I’ve been on the fence about it.”
“I could grab it and run now, you know.”
“I know.” Neither of us makes a move.
“But, I mean, a hundred points. I know if we had a new brother and he stole something worth that much, I’d probably supply his booze for the next week.”
“Well, I am incredibly concerned about where my next drink will come from, so you better leave it there.”
“It’s the charitable thing to do.” Chad leans down and kisses me slowly. “Figured I deserved one more.”
“No disagreements from me.”
He tucks the clock under his arm, crosses to the window, and peeks outside before opening it. “Okay, well …”
“Yeah. It was good.”
“Just good?”
My lips twitch. “I’ll be sure to tell Lucas you’re the best I’ve ever had.”
“That’s better.” Neither of us says anything for a beat. “Right, well, see ya around.”
“See you.”
Chad jumps out of the window, and I hear him move quickly away.
I’m sad to see him go, because of the orgasms, of course, but we can both agree it’s better this way.
Chad Doomsen is out of my system now, and I can go back to studying with the occasional anonymous hookup to take the edge off.
Despite what I said, I have no plans to take Lucas up on his offers, friendly or otherwise.
Knowing Chad is at work today, I organize for Mom and Dad to meet me at a cafe around the corner from Deja Brew. Rachel is with them this time, and it’s nice she’s taken the weekend away from her friends to come and visit. Even with four years between us, we’ve always been close.
“This is different,” Mom says as she takes a seat opposite me.
Unlike Deja Brew, this place is a chain coffee shop with generic booths and plain tiled floors, baristas more intent with getting through the lines of customers than being friendly.
I hate it. But there’s no way I could face Chad in front of my parents after this morning. I don’t trust him not to make it weird.
In fact, I’m almost certain he’d do it on purpose.
“I felt like a change,” I say.
“Of course.” Dad’s lips quiver. “Nothing to do with a certain barista, I’m sure.”
“No idea what you mean.”
But Rachel smells gossip, and she pounces on the topic. “Barista, what barista?”
“No one.”
She scoffs. “Really? Mom and Dad get to know about the barista, and you’re going to keep your favorite sister in the dark?”
“You’re my only sister, and I’d still argue you’re not my favorite.”
She pulls a face, and Mom laughs. “I’ll show you on the way back to the car.”
“No,” I groan. “Please don’t go anywhere near that cafe.”
“But what if I’m thirsty?”
I point at the display of bottled drinks in the fridge by the counter. “What a coincidence.”
“I don’t know.” Mom shrugs. “It is a long walk back to the car.”
What did I do for them to torture me like this? I can already picture Mom and Rachel, faces pressed to the glass window as Mom points Chad out to her. Talk about awkward and embarrassing all wrapped into one. “I’m begging you here.”
“Fine, I’ll let it go.” She winks at Rachel.
“I saw that.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Jesus fuck, Chad’s going to be glad he’s rid of me by the time those two are done.
“So, Dad, only family member who apparently doesn’t hate me today, what’s new?”
“This place.” He looks around and frowns. “I don’t like it.”
“Is everyone out to get me?”
“I don’t understand why we couldn’t go to the other place. Did something happen with the barista guy?”
“Chad,” Mom interjects.
“Yes, Chad. What happened?”
I pick up my menu and pretend to be engrossed in the options.
“Chad?” Rachel says. “What a douchebag name.”
“He is a frat guy.”
“So are you,” she points out. “Now, are you going to tell me what happened with the Chad, or will I suddenly need to pee right outside Deja Brew.”
These people, I swear. “Why do I love you all again?”
“It’s a misjudgment on your part,” Rachel agrees.
“Whatever … oh, look, they do bagels.” Distract, distract.
“I’d prefer that cheesecake they do at the other place.”
“And I’d prefer not to discuss my sex life with my family, but looks like we’re all up for disappointment today.”
“Ah, yep.” Rachel nods sagely. “Sex will do it. What happened? Things got awkward afterward?”
My whole face feels like it’s on fire. “Not having this conversation.”
“Yes, Rachel, you’re too young to be talking about sex,” Dad says.
She gives an amused snort that makes him do a double take. Just as he opens his mouth to say something, he abruptly shakes his head. “No, nope. I don’t want to know. New conversation topic.”
“Oh, sure, we can change the subject when you want to,” I throw at him. Almost tempted to keep it going to prove a point.
“Benefits of being head of the family.”
“Uh-huh. Sure you are, dear.” Mom pats his arm absentmindedly. He doesn’t bother to argue because we all know that if anyone calls the shots, it’s Mom.
Thankfully, we get through ordering with no more conversation about my sex life or Rachel not being the virgin Dad thinks she is.
It’s not until we’re eating that Rachel says, “No present for Mom this week?”
Heat floods my face again. “I’ll have two next week.”
“I’ve told you, I don’t need anything,” Mom says.
“And I’ve told you, I like surprising you.”
“So why didn’t you, then?” Rachel pushes.
“You don’t stop, do you?”
“Just curious why you’re blushing so hard.”
“I’m not blushing. There’s no reason except it’s been a busy morning.”
“Oh, really?”
“Should I be worried about why you’re so interested in my sex life?”
Rachel grins evilly. “Ah, busy morning with Chad, was it?”
“Someone, kill me now.”
“Leave Bailey alone,” Dad says. But it’s more a reflex than an order.
“Of course.”
Thankfully I get through the rest of lunch without having to endure more teasing, and I’ve almost put Chad out of my mind when I pull up back home and find a message from him. I open it reluctantly, hoping he’s not going to say he was busted creeping out, but I find a photo instead.
A photo of my family and Chad smiling widely around a table at Deja Brew.
Motherfucker.