CHAPTER 32 Sleeping Arrangements
William put me down, and I hugged Lily and Joel, wishing them a Happy New Year. William embraced Joel next. When I turned around looking for Liam and Nina, I saw her sitting on top of him. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, and Liam’s hands cupped her cheeks as they kissed.
I tapped William’s arm so he would notice, and he started whistling. Joel joined in, making Liam and Nina break off the kiss. He rested his forehead against hers and smiled. She smiled too. I was thrilled for them.
Liam stood and helped Nina to her feet. I hugged them both and wished them a Happy New Year. William popped open the champagne and messily poured it into the flutes on the kitchen counter.
We all took a glass. Lifted them. Made several toasts.
“Now yours,” William said to me. “The one from your birthday.”
I lifted my glass again, and everyone followed. I took a second to look around at the faces in front of me. I smiled, feeling grateful and whole, wishing I could hold on to the intense feeling of happiness filling my chest forever. Hoping it held on to me too.
“May our worst nights be like this one.”
“Sk?l!” We shouted and drank in unison.
“So, Liam,” Joel said. “How many seconds into the song did you give up on trying to follow the choreography?”
We all laughed, and Lily whispered in my ear, “I do love it, but pretend like I don’t so Joel will keep doing it and trying to convince me that it’s good. But don’t tell them!” She took a sip of her champagne. “The movie is crap though.” She didn’t monitor her volume for that last sentence.
“That reminds me,” Joel said. “I saw Steven Soderbergh in L.A. a few weeks ago. And he mentioned he’s working on a male stripper movie with Channing Tatum, so …”
“Oh, I love Channing Tatum!” Nina said.
“Say the word, and I’ll introduce you to him,” William teased.
“No, you certainly will not do such a thing,” Liam warned, standing behind Nina and running his arms around her waist. He kissed her cheek softly and whispered something in her ear, making her blush.
A heavy knock on the door took us by surprise. “It’s Aaron!” he yelled.
William rushed to open the door, and Aaron stepped in, rolling Naomi’s suitcase behind him. Naomi followed after him in silence, but she looked pissed and sad.
Aaron wished us all a Happy New Year, grabbed himself a glass of water, and excused himself to his room. Naomi said something in Hebrew to his back as he walked away.
“Right back at you, little witch,” Aaron replied without turning around, and I gasped. This was the second time I’d heard him call her that. He turned right toward the guest bedroom and closed the door behind him.
Naomi plopped on the living room sofa and tossed her bag beside her, having previously removed her coat and boots. “Ugh!” She let out an exasperated grunt.
“What happened?” I asked, sitting next to her. “Was it bad out there? Was Aaron a pain in the ass?”
Naomi chuckled, but I could tell she was trying to reel back her reaction. And before she could reply, Joel tossed Lily over his shoulder, escaping up the stairs as she laughed and asked him to put her down.
They weren’t coming back down anytime soon.
Liam and Nina chatted with William in the kitchen while he plated some late-night snacks.
Naomi explained how the weather was bad but was starting to subside. The visibility wasn’t terrible, but the main access road was indeed blocked. She insisted on exploring a way around it, but Aaron didn’t even want to try. He said he didn’t want to put her life at risk for a party. They argued. She explained how important it was for her to be there again. He turned around. They argued some more.
“Is he always like this?” Naomi asked, massaging her calves. “How do you even stand him?”
“Aaron is … Aaron.” I sighed. “He is a determined man and will always put safety first. No matter how much I beg, he’ll do what he thinks is best. Or what my father says is best. I learned that early on. But I keep asking for a shred of flexibility now and then.” I laughed. Naomi smiled but threw her head back on the sofa’s headrest. She seemed exhausted and overtaken with emotion.
“This was my chance. I really needed to close that deal.” Naomi’s face scrunched up, and a few tears cascaded down her cheeks. “Fuck, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be crying. Least of all, here with you guys.”
“No, it’s okay,” I reassured her. “You can talk to me.” I liked Naomi. It seemed like she needed to get something off her chest, and I didn’t mind listening to whatever she had to say.
She blew out a breath through her mouth. “Where do I start?” She laughed, but it turned into a sob. Her hand was quick to cover her mouth to muffle the sound. “My mom is sick.” She took a deep breath. “Between medicine, doctor’s appointments, chemotherapy, food, general cost of living.” She shook her head. “I could go on. And she has insurance, but it’s shit and doesn’t cover much. She had to quit her job, so I’ve been sending her most of my money lately, and my shit brother can’t even take care of himself. Last time I talked to him, he was bartending at some rundown bar in Nebraska. Fuck.”
Her hands moved up, brushing the tears off her cheeks as if angry at herself for crying.
“That’s a lot.” I placed my hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry about your mom.”
“Thanks.” She offered me a small, sad smile.
“Does she live in California, too?”
“Philly,” she said. “My plan is to move to New York. Most of my clients live here, so being on the East Coast makes sense. I’d be closer to my mom in case she needs me. And my lease was over, well, today.” She laughed but started crying again. “My landlord gave me two weeks to figure out if I’m renewing the contract or leaving. But the real estate market in New York is a total nightmare.”
“Give me a second.” I stood, grabbed a box of tissues from the nearest bathroom, and rushed back. “Here you go.”
She pulled out a tissue and patted her nose and face as she continued talking. “Every apartment I’ve seen is either too big and luxurious or tiny and unlivable and still expensive as shit. And don’t get me wrong, I make a good living with what I do and have some savings, but I’m probably going to use a big chunk of it to move all my stuff here. And I’m glad I can help my mom financially, especially when I can’t be there physically to help out, but it’s all been so stressful and exhausting in every way.”
“Do you have any friends in New York?” I asked. “Someone that might be looking for a roommate?” I felt terrible for Naomi. She seemed like such a badass all the time, and she was, but it was hard to imagine she was going through all that. It made sense that she’d feel exhausted. Trying to seem fine is one of the toughest things to do, and the body, mind, and soul resent it eventually.
If Nina weren’t living with me, I’d 100% offer her my guest bedroom. But that wasn’t an option.
“I don’t have any—friends.” Her voice was soft, and her tone vulnerable. “My job has introduced me to a lot of people, yes. But they’re all job acquaintances and connections. The truth is I don’t have time for friends. And I’m not like … a freak. I used to have plenty. But I lost them along the way—one by one. I’m always busy with work and travel, and they just stopped inviting me to things. They gave up on me. And I don’t blame them. I never found the time to check up on them either.”
“Have you ever told them about your mom and how being able to provide for her is a priority right now?” I would never turn my back on a friend like that, especially when they were struggling.
“They stopped talking to me way before my mom got sick, so you’re the first person I’ve opened up to about this.” She shrugged. “And now I’m regretting opening my mouth and feeling tempted to brew a concoction to make you forget I ever said anything.”
“Ah! I see why Aaron keeps calling you little witch.” I laughed, and so did she. “I’m sorry about Aaron, by the way. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. He’s never quick to lose his temper like that. He usually implodes in private.”
“Don’t worry about it. I eat men like him for breakfast. And I’m beginning to like the nickname, anyway.” She smiled wickedly. “Him … not so much.”
That’s when it hit me. Aaron had a spare room in his apartment! Caleb’s room had been empty ever since he died, and it would remain that way because my dad wasn’t going to hire another bodyguard. I knew it was a long shot, but I could offer Naomi the room for free for as long as Aaron’s contract lasted. My father didn’t have to know. He never set foot in Aaron’s apartment. That way, she could save up more money to provide for her mom and have some money left for her, too, without having to stress much about her finances.
“What if I offered you a free room in a decent-sized apartment in our building?”
“What?” Her normal Naomi voice came out. “No, Billie. Thank you, but no, thank you. This is why I choose not to open up to people and refuse to share my problems with anyone because I—”
“Naomi,” I cut her off gently. “I still think you’re a badass, and I respect you, especially with everything you do for your mom. Let me help you help her. So, at least listen to my offer. If you don’t want to take it, you can always try to fight me.”
She laughed and quickly eased out into a sigh. “Let’s hear it.”
“Aaron lives on the second floor of our apartment building and—”
“No.”
“Please, let me finish,” I said with an exasperated laugh. She pressed her lips together, crossed her arms at her chest, and nodded with defeat. “There’s a spare room. It was Caleb’s. He was my bodyguard and one of my best friends. Aaron and him were like brothers. He took a literal bullet for me. Saved my life—and William’s.” My voice broke, but I cleared my throat and powered through. “I loved him. Still do. And I miss him every single day. If he could, he’d come down here and beg you to accept this offer and torture Aaron on his behalf.”
Naomi chuckled, then squeezed my hand and said, “I know I already said it before, but I’m so sorry for your loss.”
One of the windows flew open, and a heavy gust of wind blew inside, hitting us in the face. Caleb.I was definitely losing my mind. But I stood and closed the window with a stupid smile on my face.
“Caleb approves,” I said, giving into the madness. “Don’t ask me why. I just know.”
Naomi considered me with narrowed eyes. She wanted to say yes. I knew she did. It was an offer she couldn’t refuse. Of course, she’d have to deal with Aaron, but he was clean—anal, if you asked Caleb—and wouldn’t be around much. He’d be a well-rounded roommate, setting aside the fact that they hated each other. Although, my gut told me something else might be lurking beneath the surface. Or maybe they actually hated each other. There was no way to know for sure.
“It’s so kind of you, Billie. Seriously,” she said. “I can’t thank you enough for even considering wanting to help out. But I can’t.”
“I understand.” I smiled. “How about we start by giving you a place to stay for tonight?”
“I appreciate it.”
“You and Nina can take the room upstairs, and Liam can sleep with Aaron in the guest room.”
“Excuse me?” Liam shrieked from the dining room. He rushed over to where we sat in the living room. How on Earth did he listen to that over the music when he was all the way in there? His bionic hearing abilities never ceased to amaze me.
“Hi, ladies.” He squatted in front of us. “I was thinking Nina and I could, you know, get a room all to ourselves. So, is there a way we can discuss the sleeping arrangements, or are you both plotting to ruin my life?” He smiled.
I clapped at his dramatic performance.
“Actors,” Naomi said, rolling her eyes.
“What about Nathalie and Sivert’s bedroom?” Liam asked. “Maybe Naomi can sleep there?”
“You mean Nathalie’s bedroom,” I clarified, lowering my voice. “Ever since the divorce, she has kept the bedroom locked to keep Sivert from sleeping there. That bedroom is out of bounds. I’m sorry. You’ll survive, Liam.”
“Actually, I won’t.” He looked over his shoulder at Nina and then back at us. “You don’t understand. I’ve been waiting too long for this. Please, Naomi. Can’t we ask Aaron to sleep out here or something?”
“He’s probably asleep by now,” I said. “He’s an early riser.”
Naomi crossed her arms at her chest and observed Liam. “I’ll sleep in Aaron’s room if you ditch your publicist and let me take you as my client. Your friends are all under my wing, so wouldn’t it make sense that you crossed over to the dark side as well?” Naomi’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction. This is what she loved to do and what she was great at. Closing deals and convincing people to do her bidding.
Liam scoffed and shook his head. “Okay, I’ll do it,” he said with a shrug. “Once my contract with BME is over.”
“Deal.” Naomi extended her hand, and Liam took a few seconds before shaking on it.
“Alex is going to kill me.” He released Naomi’s hand and stood. “And then he’ll kill you.”
“I still have five lives left.” She laughed. “I’ll deal with Alex, don’t worry. It’s not like he hasn’t poached clients from me in the past.”
Liam pointed at Naomi before walking away and said, “I like you.”
Naomi nodded in a stiff, business-like way. “And I hate myself.” She laughed as Liam rejoined Nina and William. “Ah! The things I do for money.”
“Do you want me to ask William if he can sleep with Aaron so you can sleep with me?”
“And lose the opportunity to torture Aaron with my presence?” She snorted. “Besides, William is my most important client, and I’d clean his floors with a toothbrush if our contract depended on it. That means I’ll gladly sleep in Aaron’s room if it means I don’t have to inconvenience William. Look at all the clients I’ve gained after signing him.”
“Okay.” I sighed, wishing we could’ve offered her a private room. But she seemed genuinely okay with it.
“Come on.” She stood and pulled me up from the couch. “That dress is too pretty to be sitting all day. Let’s go grab a drink.”
I followed Naomi to the kitchen, where the others stood, chatting, drinking, laughing, and snacking around the marble island. William immediately grabbed me by the waist and pulled me closer to him.
“Everything okay?” he whispered in my ear, the warmth of his body giving me goosebumps all over.
“Yeah, we’re figuring out the sleeping arrangements.” I smiled and turned my neck to the side to kiss his cheek. “You’re sleeping with Aaron, and I’ll sleep with Naomi upstairs so Nina and Liam can … you know. Have some privacy.” I withheld the need to laugh and waited for his reaction.
“I don’t think so.” William swooped me into his arms and ran away from the kitchen. “Good night, everyone!”
“William!” I held on to the hem of my dress and pulled it down to prevent the fabric from crawling up to my waist. “I was kidding!”
“Can’t risk it.” Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, he slowed down and climbed them carefully.
“Good night, guys!” I shouted from the stairs, waving goodbye with my hand.
Nina, Naomi, and Liam shouted goodbye back as Naomi poured herself a drink.
William crossed the threshold into his room and put me down on my feet, locking the door behind him and kicking off his shoes with a devious smile on his gorgeous face. “No one’s making me leave this room.” He removed his sweater and tossed it on the floor. He unzipped his pants and let them fall along with his underwear. My mouth watered at the sight of him.
“It was a joke.” I couldn’t help but grab his thick cock in my hand and give it a few teasing strokes. His eyes closed as he let his neck tilt slightly back. He cursed under his breath as I circled my thumb around the head. “Naomi will sleep in Aaron’s room, and Nina and Liam will take Tobias and Eric’s room.”
“Oh.” His eyes flew open. His hands slid up my dress, giving me goosebumps as he stroked the skin of my hips and waist. “I would’ve never thought Naomi would agree to that.”
“She made a deal with Liam,” I explained, my tone breathy as his hands moved further up, teasing my inner thighs. “He’ll drop his publicist and hire Naomi instead.”
“Clever.” William’s fingers circled softly around my clit over my underwear, and I was already soaked for him. “Fuck, Guille.”
I ran a hand through his hair and tugged him closer to me until our mouths collided into a needy and almost desperate kiss. His hands yanked my dress up, and we broke the kiss for the second it took him to pull it over my head and toss it to the side. His lips were back on mine as he grabbed my legs, secured them around his waist, and began carrying me to the bathroom.
“Tobias texted me earlier,” he said, panting and pushing the glass door to his shower open with his foot. William turned on the shower and waited until the spray came out at the right temperature to move us inside. “He’s devastated.”
“What happened?” Tobias had flown to Paris to ring in the new year with Cecile. But Jordan was there too. The last time I talked to Cecile, she was adamant about not choosing one over the other.
William pressed my back against the shower wall as the hot spray of water fell behind him. “Things were getting too messy, so Cecile pulled the plug.” He put me down on my feet, and that’s when I realized I was still wearing my shoes. “Keep them on,” he ordered, as if reading my mind. He spun me and pinned me against the wall. “You will always be everything I’ll ever want.” He kissed my jaw and left a trail of kisses down my neck. I could feel his erection pushing against my lower back. “Just you.”
“But you love threesomes.”
He spanked the right cheek of my ass, making me gasp with equal amounts of pleasure and pain, then circled his palm over it to soothe the burn.
Cecile, Jordan, and Tobias’s failed attempt to find balance between the three of them had ended in heartbreak. And I knew why William was bringing this up. We’d talked about this topic plenty of times. But all I wanted was him and him alone. There would never be anyone else.
“You’re mine, Guille.”
“Just yours.”