Page 35 of Fated Shot

“H-hi,” I let out, slowly taking in my surroundings. I’m fully clothed in his bed, and the night comes flying back to me in an instant. It wasn’t a dream. A flutter of excitement erupts in my stomach at the realization that I was in his arms last night as he gave me the most intense orgasm of my entire life, right where I’m lying.

How did we get into bed? Last I remember, the contestants were making party items, and I swear I just closed my eyes for a second.

Shame floods my system as I cover my face in my hands. “I fell asleep, didn’t I?”

“About an hour after the pizza,” he says, amused.

“And you put me to bed,” I say as he nods.

“Well, in my defense, I did try to wake you, to which I’m pretty sure you said your legs weren’t working,” he chuckles as my whole body burns with embarrassment. I don’t bother asking more questions, but he continues, “So I had no choice but to carry you up here.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I-I sleep like a rock, the moment I’m out it takes a lot to wake me. My parents wanted to get me studied when I was little, waking me for school was a mission and—”

I stop, realizing I’m rambling in this guy’s bed with morning breath and all, looking a mess while he just stares at me, gorgeous as ever. This cannot be happening right now.

“You snore too,” he adds, failing to conceal his smirk as he watches me derail into embarrassed shambles.

I bury my face in my hands once more. “Okay, well, it’s been a pleasure knowing you. I’ll just be… anywhere but here,” I say, sitting up.

He laughs a deep, hearty chuckle that warms me in an instant. “It was cute, like my own little sound machine,” he says, pulling my hands away from my face. It should really be illegal for him to look this perfect in the morning.

“I love it when you blush.” He smiles, stroking my heated cheek with one hand. I can't wrap my head around how this is even real; I have no idea how I ended up here. His kind gaze is giving me butterflies. It feels... nice. Like, really nice.

“I really do need to go though. I need to check on Bean and I’m supposed to be meeting—” My brain thankfully catches myself before I continue, “—someone for coffee.”

“Bean?” he asks, looking up amused.

“My cat.”

“Ah, the cute fluffball from your phone.”

“Hah, yeah. I rescued him when he was just a baby, he looked just like a little coffee bean.”

“Can’t wait to meet him,” he adds assuredly.

My heart flutters instantly. That means he wants to see me again, right?Breathe, Mia.

I glance down, noticing I’m still wearing his sweatshirt. I’m willing myself to take it off, but the warmth of it envelops me as I settle into the smell of him. It’s comforting and calming and I’m not ready to part with that feeling.

He notices. “Why don’t you hold onto it for me, looks better on you anyway.”

I smile as I turn, looking for my phone, spotting it on the nightstand, next to a full glass of water. I seriously crashed hard, I don’t think I woke up a single time throughout the night. Jack’s bed, like everything else about him, was life-changing. I grab my phone as I stand up, sliding it into my pocket.

“Wait, Mia,” he lets out a bit of concern in his voice. “Can we, uh?” He clears his throat. “Can I call you?”

I turn back to him, a vulnerability in his eyes that makes my heart melt. I contemplate snuggling into his arms and shutting out the rest of the world, but logic takes control, and I settle for a nod.

“Yeah, I’ll see you soon, okay?”

I wander down the stairs, grab my purse, and let myself out. It’s still early. I flip off my 7:30 am alarm before it wakes the entire corridor. But a moment later, the Jack Brody bliss bubble pops as my phone pings.

SebastianBrown:Be there in 45

Ugh. I push down all the emotions circling around me. I have almost an hour before I have to deal with that. No reason to sit in dread. Walking into my apartment, I find Bean curled in a circle on my pillow in my room.

“I’m sorry, bubs,” I let out, snuggling next to him. I slowly let his soft purrs calm my nervous system. “I missed you last night, did you have a good sleepies?”

A pleasant “brrr” comes out as Bean slowly blinks at me and closes his eyes again. Unbothered as usual. Oh, to be a cat.

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