Page 28 of Power
I hear his breath hitch slightly and wonder what that is about.
“Are you sure?”
I smile, thrilled that he called me to ask about me. Whatever my dick dad was trying to warn me about is forgotten as I contemplate lying to Archer to see if he will rush over and take care of me.
There is a soft knock at the door, which surprises me. After a beat, I guess it’s the neighbor who took in my package earlier. “Uhm, honestly, I’m fine. I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I hang up, needing to know what this package is, even over talking to Archer and soaking up his concern. I’m betting it’s from my father to go with this stupid letter. I peek through the peephole in the door and blink.
Nope, not the neighbor.
I open the door with narrowed eyes. “What are you doing here?”
Those deep blue eyes light up when he sees me, and he smiles. “A neighbor let me in. I hope you don’t mind me showing up unannounced, but I wanted to check on you.”
I smile and take a step back. “Come in, Owen. That’s really sweet of you.”
His smile widens, and he takes a step over the threshold as I turn and disappear back into the depths of my apartment. I kind of wish I hadn’t hung up on Archer now. He will be annoyed with me. My stomach churns as I take another drink from the bottle of wine.
“Bailey, you seem shaken. Is everything okay?”
“I just finished telling your brother, I’m fine, so yeah, I’m fine.” My words are slurring a little bit now. I’m not a big drinker. One glass of wine is usually my limit, maybe two with food. I’ve had over half a bottle now on an empty stomach, on top of receiving a letter out of the blue from my absentee father, not to mention the mindfuck to go along with the finger fuck. I need to make sure I drink a pint of water before I go to bed…no doubt I’ll forget and black out soon.
“Archer was here?” he asks slowly.
I shake my head and regret it instantly as the room spins. “No, no, phone.”
“Oh, okay. Bailey.” He steps up and takes the wine bottle from me. “I’m worried about you. Did Finn scare you?”
“What?” I splutter and start laughing, snatching the bottle back. “No. He is…” I sigh. “Don’t say nasty things about him,” I accuse, gesticulating wildly with the bottle in his direction.
“I wasn’t,” Owen says carefully. “I was inquiring about your well-being, that’s all.”
“Humph. Well,” I huff and take another swig from the nearly empty bottle. “Make sure you don’t.”
He nods. “I think perhaps we should get you to bed.”
I stare into his gorgeous blue eyes and start giggling maniacally. “Oh, yes, sir.” I mock salute him with the bottle. “Let’s get me to bed.”
His eyes darken with desire, and he licks his lips as he takes in the double meaning behind his words. “Would you like that, Bailey?”
“Hmm?” His face is going unfocused as I blink rapidly.
“Fuck,” he murmurs. He turns from me and heads into the kitchen, searching through the cupboards for something. He finds the glasses, takes one out, and pouring cold water from the tap into it. I sidle up behind him, and when he turns, I’m in his personal space. I have no idea what I’m doing. All I know is there a sexy man in my apartment, and I’m drunk and suddenly extremely horny. His brother’s finger-fuck this morning has left me craving more, and I want, want, want.
“Bailey,” Owen murmurs, searching my eyes. “Don’t do this.”
“Do what?”
“Whatever it is you’re doing. You are drunk.”
“I know what I want.”
He licks his lips. “And what is that?”
I reach out and wrap my finger around his tie. “You,” I say, all flirty and fun. Well, that’s how it sounds in my head. I might be drooling all over him in reality.
He looks down at my hand. I bunch my fist into the tie and pull him closer, so he’s pressed up against me.
“Bailey,” he says calmly. “I’m not that guy.”
