I shove my underwear in my bag, tie my hair up in a messy bun on top of my head and walk out Chase’s master bedroom. And when I do I get the shock of my life. “Fuck.” I don’t usually swear but this is definitely a f**k moment.
Holy hell, only I could get into a situation like this.
I walk past the familiar cream walls, straight to the kitchen. I want to die of embarrassment. I flop down onto the stool, with what must be a look of horror on my face. Chase is standing there, eating a Twix chocolate bar and looking like he is enjoying himself, until he sees my face. He then puts down the chocolate and rushes over, taking my face in his hands like he did in the bedroom.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I don’t answer him, because I am mentally yelling at myself for not snooping into the master bed room and bathroom. If I did I would have recognized it.
Before I can answer James walks out of his room. Could this get any worse? Chase has let go of me by now and is looking at me with a concerned look. James smiles at me warmly, and musses my hair, causing Chase’s face to tighten, and his eyes to cool.
“Morning princess, I see you have met the landlord. How was your night at your friends? We missed you around here,” he says before he turns to Chase.
“Hey bro how was last night? Pick up any hot chicks? Or knowing you, two hot chicks?” James chuckles to himself.
Chase clearly doesn’t like James’s familiarity with me, or the endearment ‘princess’.
Completely oblivious to the tension surrounding him, he continues “I already warned Layla about seeing random girls around the house. They usually leave before breakfast, just like last time.”
Someone please kill me.
Before Chase answers I jump up off the stool, avoiding any eye contact, almost knocking it over, and mumble some excuse and make way to my room. I can feel Chase’s eyes on me, as I retreat hastily. The saying ‘don’t shit where you eat’ keeps coming at me in my head. This can’t be happening. Chase can’t be the same man who was so callous towards that woman, kicking her out of his bed. He has been nothing but sweet and respectful to me, or is that what he’s like until he gets what he wants? I’ve heard about men like that.
I’m not sitting on my bed for even three seconds, before there is a knock on the door. I know it’s him, and I’d rather be anywhere else right now. The door opens without my invitation and Chase comes in and sits on my bed. He hands me over my plate with pancakes, bacon, eggs and toast on it. Why does he have to be so damn sweet? Argh! This is awkward as hell.
“So, you’re the new roomie.” Chase states the obvious.
I sigh. “That would be me. And what are the chances.” I mumble the last part to myself. I think I definitely need some sort of ice cream sundae before I can mentally sort through this.
Or a shot of tequila. Or four.
I look up at Chase to see him grinning. What the hell that man is grinning about I have no freaking idea.
The question must have shown on my face because he says “Now I get to see you every day, whether you like it or not. James mentioned the new girl was hot.” He frowns after he says it, like he doesn’t like James thinking I’m attractive.
I scowl at him, and he gives me a small smile in return. I’m glad he’s enjoying himself. He’s not the one who is going to be homeless whenever he moves onto the next woman.
“Chase, do you realize how messed up this situation is?” I hiss at him.
He turns to look at me, the humor now gone from his eyes. “What’s the problem Layla?” he asks me in a worried tone.
I open my mouth, and then close it. I have no idea how to say this without offending him, so I’m, just going to put it out there.
“I was here. When you were last here, a couple of weeks ago? When you were yelling rudely at some girl to leave your room? Ring any bells?” I ask dryly.
Chase visibly cringes. Yeah I think he can see where I’m going with this.
“Layla, f**k...”
“You treated her like shit Chase, and from what I have heard about you, this is definitely not a good idea.” There I said it.
Chase runs his hands through his hair in frustration. “I’m sorry you heard that Layla. I know it looks bad, and I’m not saying I’m not that person you think I am. But I’m saying that for you- with you, it will be different. I will be different. You are different! I want you to trust me, to take a gamble on me. Just give me a chance Layla. I promise you that I will handle you with care, that I will make it so I’m worthy of you,” he says solemnly.
I know I’m stupid to consider this. But he looks up at me with his eyes, pleading with mine.
“I’m not making any promises Chase, I mean, we can maybe try. But...”
“That’s all I need. I’ll prove myself to you angel.” Chase kisses me on the forehead and says, “Eat baby.”
Then he walks out of my room and goes back into the kitchen.
I sigh, and to think I was so happy when I woke up.
Chapter Six
I get dressed in a pair of black track pants and a tank top and walk back into the kitchen with my empty plate. As I walk in I can see Chase, James and Kade all talking in hushed tones, the conversation intense. Chase does not look happy. In fact, none of them do. He is the tallest at about 6’3, the other two only slightly shorter. He is still shirtless, and I can’t help but admire his lean muscular build, his six pack and heavily indented V’s above his pelvis. His tribal tattoo on his arm is extremely delicious too.