Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
STEVIE
Why is moving so freaking hard?
I am fit, I jog, or go to the gym when the need arises.
Buy I am exhausted. Sweat covers my body, my hair is sticking to the back of my neck, I feel gross.
Today is the day that I move into Cale’s condo. I have been so excited yet nervous about it, but I agree with my aunt and Cale, this was a good move.
“That is the last box,” Cale calls out as he carries a box into the kitchen.
He is leaving most of his furniture, as I like his style. Cale did offer to buy me things that I wanted, but in all honesty, I am happy to live with and use what he has here. No point in spending more money.
I did bring my own bed, as I love it but also, I do not want to sleep in a bed where my aunt and uncle have had sex.
Looking around the space, I take in some of the empty gaps, where Cale has removed his personal touch. Photos, trophies, home decoration, and art items that I was too scared to keep just in case Glory breaks them.
I have all of my things here to make it look like mine.
Plus, I can buy anything to add to it. The kitchen is to die for, with all top of the line appliances, and black countertops, with four black high-top stools for the island.
The rose gold handles stand out against the black, adding a rich feel to it.
The living room contains a large soft cream sectional, to which I added some of my purple and green throw cushions and my throw. The lamps are all cream, black, and made of wood, fitting the vibe really well.
The balcony is on the other side of a full wall of windows and lets in so much natural light when the blinds are left open. The floor is a dark grey tile, and the walls are cream.
It screams bachelor, but in a nice way.
Glory sniffs around the room, acting like this is her first time here but she has been here many times before.
“Cale, I cannot thank you enough for this.” I step to him, wrapping my arm around his middle.
“No thanks needed, sweetheart. We are family, and family helps each other out.” He kisses the top of my head.
“I know.” Looking up to him, I smile. “I am glad my aunt found you.”
He smiles and it reminds me of McSteamy from Grey’s Anatomy: handsome and sweet, yet with a touch of cockiness to him. He is a high-school football coach, so I guess he has to be cocky to a degree.
“The bedroom is done, my girl. What do you both say we order some pizza?”
“I could eat,” I reply, and Cale nods.
Aunt Cass puts the order in, while we get on with unboxing as much as we can. Glory takes to her bed, watching us as we flit around the large open space. Having an open plan living area was always in my plans for the future, so this makes my home body heart happy.
It takes another three hours to finish unpacking and putting my things in place. I know it will take some time for it to feel like mine, but being here is the right thing for all three of us.
With full bellies of pizza and soda, I am finally moved in, ready to spend my first night alone in my new home.
“You will call if you need anything, right?” I nod to her, with tears in my eyes.
“I will. This is a good thing,” I tell her, sniffling.
“It is, my girl.” Hugging me tightly, Aunt Cass kisses the top of my head, squeezing me.
“Come on, baby. She is a good girl and will be fine on her own. I have faith in her.” Cale winks at me.
With a nod, she lets me go, and then I am in Cale’s arms.
“Be safe and I love you. See you tomorrow when you come home for lunch. I am making your favorite.”
“I love you too and yes, I will be there with bells on. No one is stupid enough to turn down your fried chicken and homemade coleslaw.”
My stomach rumbles at the thought of how much I love this meal she makes for me. The spices she adds into the crispy chicken coating is out of this world.
“Lock up after we leave. You are safe here; Rodney will not let anyone in who is not authorized, but always keep it locked,” Cale says and I nod to him.
Blowing them a kiss, I lock the door behind them.
Turning to face the room, I lean against the door, taking in my new home. It is a far cry from what I grew up in, but at the same time, it is something I would pick for myself if I could afford it on my own. I owe Cale big time.
I potter around the condo for an hour, putting my stamp on the place. Smiling as I take it all in, I giggle as I fall onto the sofa, the material soft under my palms.
My stomach grumbles, moving in makes you work up an appetite. I know that I do not have many food options here, so I think takeout for my first night in my new home is called for.
“Let’s take a walk, baby,” I call to Glory.
Her head snaps up, and she huffs, then whines in her usual high-pitched tone.
“No, we are going. I am hungry. Let’s go.” I slip my feet into my sneakers, and collect my purse from the kitchen island. “Glory, now.”
She yaps, answering me back, letting me know that she does not want to leave right now. She turns her head away from me like she is being a petulant teen and damn, it is like I live with one most days.
“Really?” I shrug my shoulders. “Okay then, I will not need to stop by that pet store I saw on the drive over and get you those treats that you like so much. Saves me money.” I head to the door and I hear the clacking of her nails on the hardwood flooring.
She reaches my side, and does a full body shake, then tilts her head to look at me. She lets out a whine that sounds like ‘fine,’ I clip her lead onto her collar, and we leave. She sits at my feet in the elevator because we are on the tenth floor; it makes me giddy that I am so high up.
The higher up you live, the stronger that sense of wealth and importance becomes—it has always been that way in society.
The doors open and she walks out into the lobby, remaining at my side.
She may have fought with me to leave the new place, but she will still be on guard in her new surroundings for a while yet.
“All settled in, Miss. Merrick?” I look over to Rodney, a black man who is maybe in his forties, looking strong and wide in that suit he wears as a concierge.
“I am. Thank you, Rodney, and please call me Stevie.” His smile is wide and he dips his chin.
“Of course. Well, aren’t you a pretty lady?” He comes around his desk to greet Glory.
“This is Glory. She is a Siberian husky.”
“You are beautiful, aren’t you?” He scratches under her chin and she preens.
“She loves any attention she gets, but do not let her goofiness fool you, she will attack when she senses a threat.” His eyes light up with pride.
“As it should be. You watch out for your human now, you hear.” Glory answers, making him chuckle.
We say our goodbyes and we leave Rodney to do his job.
The warm weather soothes my soul as we walk down the street, checking out what is now our new regular takeout, and coffee shops, or in Glory’s case the pet store.
We stop at a sandwich place that has outside seating, so we can enjoy the weather and Glory can stay with me. Placing my order, the sweet man behind the counter told me that his place was dog friendly. That means that Glory could stay inside, which I love, but we prefer being outdoors.
I feed Glory her treats that we picked up at the pet store, and I tuck into my delicious brisket, cheese, and peppers, with my ice-cold Coke. I am a girl who likes to eat; forget all that salad stuff, life is too short.
There is way too much bad crap happening in the world to worry about what the extra calories will do to you.
“Stevie?” I look over my shoulder at hearing my name. Everything in me tingles watching Logan walk toward me looking like a Greek god, with the sun behind him.
His blond hair looks like gold in the sun, his jeans hang deliciously on his frame, while his white T-shirt clings to his upper body. Do not get me started on how sexy he looks with that leather cut draped over his shoulders.
The sight is enough to make any woman burst into song.
Thank God I am sitting down. Glory barks at hearing her new bestie, her tail wagging fast in happiness that he is close.
I bet if I had a tail it would wag like that, too. But instead my nipples harden and my pussy clenches at how hot he looks. I am such a hussy over this man and he has barely touched me.
That little kiss he left on the corner of my mouth stayed on my mind for a while after— it reminded me of the sweet kisses I have read in my romance books. You know, the ones that make your knees go weak and your heart flutter.
“Hi,” my voice comes out all breathy and needy.
Damn it.
He smiles at me like he knows the effect he is having on me.
“I was in the area and saw you sitting here, so I thought I would come by. How have you been?” He takes the empty seat next to me.
Glory makes her move, sitting between his legs, dropping her two front paws on his thighs.
“Glory, down,” I command but he shakes his head.
“She is fine,” he tells me, while he continues to lavish her with attention.
His long fingers brush through her fur and I wonder what they would feel like brushing over my body, slipping inside of me.
Shit.
I fan my face, then take a sip of my cold drink, all while Logan’s eyes are firmly on me, watching my every move.
“Are you okay there? You are looking a little flushed.” His voice holds some humor and I feel my cheeks heat more.
Looking at him, I nod.
“I am okay. Today is a hot one.” I sigh.
Thankfully, my voice is steady, and does not give away how he makes me feel.
“That is true. I had a run for the club and working in this heat can be a killer. Thankfully, we are done.” He looks away when he speaks, and something unsettling stirs in my stomach.
“A run?” I ask, confused, but he brings his gaze back to me.
He smiles, albeit it feels forced, but it still has the desired effect on me. “It is like a job. Me and one of my brothers had to go and collect a vintage car. I will be restoring it.”