Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chase
Having sex was the best part of my life, and it always put me in a fantastic mood. So why wasn’t I? I drove home, asking myself that very question over and over again. Sex with Kinsley was amazing. So amazing that the condom broke. In all my years of having sex, I’d never had that happen.
As soon as I got home, I pulled the condom box from my nightstand and examined it.
Shit. The condoms expired three months ago.
What the fuck! This was a brand-new box I’d just picked up last night.
I threw it onto my nightstand, changed into a pair of black pajama bottoms, and poured myself a scotch.
I took it out to the patio and stared at the water as the moonlight glistened down.
What the hell was my problem? Why did I feel like I was in a goddamn funk?
I’d finally had sex with Kinsley. It had been my dream since the day my eyes saw her.
I’d won. Then why was it that I felt like such a loser?
The next morning, I arrived at Kinsley’s house promptly at seven forty-five. Just as I was about to get out of the car, she walked out of her apartment.
“Good morning,” I spoke.
“Good morning,” she replied as she climbed into my car. “What’s in the bag?”
“A box of condoms.”
“Oh. So now you’re carrying the whole box with you? Don’t want to run the risk of running out too soon?” She smirked.
“No.” I smiled as I glanced at her. “I’m taking it back to the drugstore. They’re expired. That’s probably why it broke.”
“You didn’t notice the date before you bought them?”
“I never look at the date. I assume they’re fresh. God knows they probably restock every other day. Did you sleep well?”
“I did. How about you?”
“Yeah. I did,” I lied.
“Let me see your eye,” she spoke.
As soon as we were at a stoplight, I removed my sunglasses.
“Ouch.” She brought her hand up to my face. “Your dad is going to be asking questions.”
“I know. I’ll come up with something on the spot. I always do.” I smirked as I put my sunglasses back on and took off from the light.
We reached the drugstore, and while Kinsley went to get the morning-after pill, I returned the box of condoms.
“Can I help you?” the saleswoman asked.
“I need to return this box of expired condoms.”
“Do you have a receipt?”
“No. I don’t usually keep the receipts for condom purchases.”
“Then how do I know you didn’t buy these before the expiration date, used a couple, and now are exchanging them for non-expired ones?”
I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“Sweetheart, it’s obvious you don’t know who I am. I don’t use just a couple. I use the whole damn box, and rather quickly. I just bought these a couple of days ago.”
Kinsley walked up to the counter and stood next to me.
“You don’t have proof you bought them a couple of days ago, and without a receipt, I can’t take them back.”
“Listen, darling. This woman and I had sex last night, and the damn condom broke because it was expired. Do you understand the danger of selling expired condoms? Because it broke, she had to get the morning-after pill.”
“Two forms of protection is the way to go, sir. I wouldn’t have had sex with her if she wasn’t on birth control.”
I stood there and sucked in a deep breath, for I could feel the heat rising in my body.
“I didn’t know she wasn’t on birth control,” I spoke softly through gritted teeth.
“Then you shouldn’t be having sex with her if you don’t know her that well.”
“Again. It’s obvious you don’t know who I am.”
“Oh, for fucks sake.” Kinsley grabbed the expired box of condoms, walked over to the trash can, and tossed them in.
“Ring up the new box, please. This is absolutely ridiculous.” She reached into her purse and threw some cash on the counter.
“Have a good day.” She grabbed the new box of condoms and threw them at me.
“Let’s go. We’re going to be late, and I don’t want to have to tell your father that you were in a heated discussion with the salesgirl at the drugstore over a damn box of expired condoms.”
“Someone’s grumpy this morning. Did you take your pill?” I asked.
She held it up to me, popped it in her mouth, and chased it down with the bottle of water she’d bought. I pulled into the parking garage of Calloway Tech, and we both took the elevator up.
“Have a good day, Miss Davis.”
“You too, Mr. Calloway. I can’t wait to hear what Daddy says about that nasty bruise.” She smirked as she continued down the hallway.
“Looks like someone is in a good mood despite that nasty-ass bruise on that beautiful face,” Lexi spoke as she followed me into my office.
“Good morning, darling.”
“So, what happened last night after you took Kinsley home?”
“Nothing. She put some ice on my hand and eye,” I spoke as I wouldn’t look at her.
“Oh my God, you slept with her!” she voiced loudly.
“Who did he sleep with?” Steven asked as he walked into my office.
“Kinsley!” Lexi answered.
“Bro, good job.” Steven smiled as he walked over and tried to fist-bump me.
“Will the two of you knock it off? I don’t want to talk about it.”
“What happened, Chase?” Lexi asked with a disapproving tone.
“As much as I want to stay and hear the juicy details, I just came to drop this file off, and now I have a meeting to get to before your dad has my head. Fill me in later.” He walked out of my office and shut the door.
“Spill it, Calloway. There’s something you’re not telling me,” Lexi spoke as she took a seat across from my desk and folded her arms.
“I don’t know. It was just weird.”
“Sex with Kinsley was weird?” She arched her brow.
“No. Sex with her was amazing. It was after.”
“I don’t follow you.”
“I left her place, went home, and found myself in a funk. I can’t explain it, Lexi.” I got up from my seat and paced around the room. “I’m always in a fantastic mood after sex, but last night, I wasn’t. I was in a not-so-good mood.”
“Wow, Chase. I think you’ve had feelings for her all along, and last night sealed the deal.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t have feelings for women, and you know it. Not even for Kinsley.”
“So, how did you leave things? You have to see her every day. If you hurt her, Chase, I swear to God...”
“I didn’t hurt her.” I scowled. “We both agreed we wouldn’t let things be awkward between us.”
“She doesn’t want anything more now that she’s had the Chase Calloway sizzle stick?”
“Jesus, Lexi. And no, she didn’t lead me to believe she did. But, if she does, I’ll have to set her straight. In fact, take her to lunch today and get some information from her about last night. I’ll expect a report when you get back.”
“She’s my friend. I’m not doing that.”
“And I’m your best friend in the world and your boss, and I just gave you an assignment. If she wants more, I’ll have to plan to gently let her down.”
“Well, if that’s the case, then you better wait and do it when she leaves here, or else Daddy Calloway is going to be pissed as hell.”
“I can handle my father. Just do it.”
“Can’t wait to hear what he says about that bruise.” She smiled as she strolled out of my office.