Page 48 of Embody

Sixteen

Bellamy

I WAKE UPwith only a small trace of a hangover—nothing a few Tylenol and some food won’t fix. Thankfully, I don’t have to be at work until eleven.

While I’m buttering my toast between sips of much needed coffee, there’s a knock at the door. Who the hell would be here this early? Or…at all. I have very few visitors as it is, let alone unexpected ones.

I check the peephole and accidently shriek in horror. Jefferson, looking gorgeous, is on the other side of my door, while I’m in ratty pajamas, with even rattier hair no doubt.At least I took a second to brush my teeth!

“I heard you, Bellamy. Why aren’t you opening the door?” he asks.

“Because I look like death warmed over. How are you already up, functioningand here? Looking great?”

“I’m a man, over six feet tall and two hundred pounds. Half a bottle of wine doesn’t faze me like it does your tiny self. I don’t care how you think you look, I’m sure you’re gorgeous as ever. Let me in, I’ve got great news for ya.”

“One word about my appearance and I’m kicking you out,” I grumble my threat as I undo the three locks and slowly open the door.

“Morning,” he eyes me from top to bottom. “You look precious, as predicted. Can I come in?”

I move aside, giving him room, then shut the door and turn to find him already on the couch. Arms across the back, stretched legs out and a confident grin on his face. His right leg is bouncing rather fast though, and his eyes twinkle with agenda. Clearly, he’s barely able to contain this news he has for me.

I go grab my coffee and join him on the couch. After a few more sips, the caffeine finally starts to hit my brain and I feel ready to attempt comprehensive conversation. “So, what’s the big, early bird announcement?” I bravely ask.

“Apartment 301C just opened up, and shut right back down again,” insert theatrical pause during which his mouth twitches, “because it’s yours. We can move you in as soon as you’re ready. It’s a lot bigger, same rent and it’s on the third floor,not ground level,” he gushes without taking a breath. “And it’s fully furnished.”

Need more caffeine. I gulp it down this time, only a slight singeing of my tongue and throat.

I narrow my eyes at him. “How did you know there was an opening?”

“Kendrick Enterprises is part owner of this and two other complexes on the block. Do you want to go up and see it?”

“Not yet,” I drawl. “Lemme’ see if I’m following correctly first. Because your family just happens to own the complex in which I live and I didn’t ask or hint in any way I was apartment shopping,since I’m not, you somehow took that as your invitation to uproot me? To a bigger place, fully furnished, yet miraculously has the same rent? I cover everything?”

I’m expecting an argument or a stuttering attempt at what he thinks is a valid explanation.

Not even close to what I get.

He quickly slides across the couch, taking my coffee out of my hand and setting it on the table. Then he tilts my head by a single finger under my chin, forcing my gaze to his enflamed one. His dark, chocolate brown eyes brew with an irritating hint of male confidence and a certain smolder, almost as if my biting tone, clearly unhappy with his presumptuousness,turned him on?

“Not everything, Bellamy.” My name’s spoken in deep, sultry seduction. “You’ll need to tell me what you’re taking from here so I can move it up and what you want to do with the rest.”

I have to blink a few times in order to break the trance his voice, the smell of his cologne and the air of authority have put me under. “Excusémoi? That’s French for “you’re being high-handed and I don’t like it. I’m not some…”

He presses two fingers over my lips. “Sshh. You’re not some anything, you’re Bellamy Morgan, and I’m more than a little interested in her. I will win, so just stop with the fight you think you want to put up and let me do this for you. Ground floor units aren’t safe. Idemandyou be safe. And you go to school, work and support yourself all alone. I admire that immensely. But it’s at my fingertips to give you more room to move around, decorate how you want and all the furnishings you could ever need. Whywouldn’tI do that for you?”

He moves his fingers, brows arched as he awaits my reply.

“Um, because you hardly know me? Or perhaps because I’m not your project or some pity case. I have my pride, Jefferson, and everything I need.” I cross my arms over my chest and scowl as meanly as I can.

“You’re right, you’re neither of those things. But youarethe woman I’m seeing, so You. Will. Be. Safe. And I Will. Do. Nice. Things. For. You. Because I want to. Because I can. And newly discovered, because you’re sexy as fuck when you get all defensive. And P.S., I know you better than you think I do.”

“Nope,” I shake my head. “Not happening. This would set a scary precedent and next thing I know, you’ll be picking out my clothes and leading me around by a collar.”

He busts out laughing, holding his side. “Are you,” he struggles for breath, “trying to say I’d treat you like a dog or make you my BDSM slave?”

“The latter,” I hiss. “Yes, I read! I know all about it. This is reminding me of how chapter two started out in a dozen books I couldn’t finish!”

For some reason, this makes him laugh even harder. In turn, making me talk even louder. “What is so damn funny?It’s a thing, and not an unreasonable assumption of how your bossiness will progress if I let this slide!”

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