Layers(36)

“What time is it?” I ask.

She checks her watch; her short, silky, brown hair falls on her face. “It’s half past six.”

I won’t even have time to stop at home.

Will not come home after work; see u either very late tonight or tomorrow morning. Don’t miss me too much.

Tasha: Please by all means go ahead and do all the things I wouldn’t, can’t resist missing you—ENJOY, she texts back. I smile fondly at that; how Tasha of her.





Chapter 14: Second Time Around


I grin awkwardly at the security cameras that make me uneasy. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to them. It seems so alienating to have to pass via security to get to your, not sure how to classify him, house …

Daniel leans on the doorframe, waiting for me: loose white tee, barefoot, jeans that fit his body snugly in the most sensual way, and damp, messy hair. At least someone had a chance to freshen up. There are butterflies in my stomach, again. The good kind.

He smiles as I get closer, taking a step to reach me. “Hey you,” he says, and I smile, exhilaration reaching every part of me.

“Hey back.” He opens his arms slightly for me to cuddle into and I do so happily, reveling in the feel of his arms caging me in a firm embrace. I raise my head to meet his soft, hazel eyes. He bends and kisses me a gentle, sweet, chaste kiss that hastily evolves to a union   of our tongues anxiously teasing, tracing one another. A few prolonged moments pass before we disconnect, both highly charged.

“Let’s get inside,” he says into my hair, still holding me tight.

“I am starving,” I say.

He chuckles. “So let’s get some food in you.” Daniel pecks my head. Lacing his fingers with mine, he leads us inside, straight to the kitchen.

“Have a seat,” he mutters, nodding to the bar stool at the kitchen counter. He circles the counter to stand in front of me. I love the song playing in the background.

“Great song,” I say. “Need any help?”

He smiles and shakes his head. “Started listening to them thanks to you.” I’m gifted with a short, meaningful glance that affects me in the sweetest way.

“Would you like some sake?” he asks.

“Please. Any chance you can warm it?”

Hearing my request his eyes light with pleasure. “Of course. That’s the way I like it.” He halts for a moment, his eyes drinking me in. He then bends across the counter and gently pecks my lips. I grin inwardly, a wide grin.

“How was your day?” he inquires, taking small bowls and two plates out of the cupboard. I gape at him moving so gracefully around the kitchen and all I can think of is how attractive I find him, how hyperaware I am of every single motion he performs.

“Surprisingly busy. Well, surprising should be the key word of the day.” I reward him with a teasingly arched brow.

He looks at me from under his lashes with a sweet, wicked pout of his lips.

“I liked it that you came,” I mutter coyly.

“I liked it that I came.” His smile broadens as he mirrors my words.

“I wanted to take you with me when I left,” he adds under his breath.

I would have liked that.

He opens a takeaway box decorated with Japanese calligraphy revealing rows of fresh, mouthwatering sushi rolls. Hence the answer to his question about what I like to eat earlier today. I beam to myself, sighing content.

Handing me a small, warm sake cup, he lifts his in a silent gesture, mouthing “cheers.” “Speaking of work, are you aware of the fact that that boss of yours has a thing for you?” he asks, looking occupied with fixing our dinner.

“A thing for me? What do you mean?”

“You want me to be more graphic?” He raises an eyebrow. “And here I did my best to try and sound subtle.” He snorts, shakes his head and continues, “He wants to get inside your, I believe given your bra color, red thong. I hope …” This last part is more of a murmur.

I shift in my chair. Yes it’s a thong and it is red and the only person I want inside of it is you.

“I can spot a fellow predator when I see one,” he adds, dryly.

“I think he’s too in love with his preppy self to even notice anyone else.”

Daniel laughs and I join him.

He fetches a couple of glasses from the top cabinet and soy sauce from the fridge. From the side I gape at that terribly sexy scar on his upper lip as he arranges the food on plates. What I want to do to that scarred lush lip. I can’t take my eyes off it.

“What is it, Hayley?” he asks softly, his head tilted to the side.

Hypnotized, I mutter something without actually noticing what comes out of my mouth. “That scar on your upper lip, the things I want to do to it.”

HAYLEY!

At once he stops pouring the sauce and lifts his eyes to meet mine, looking at me surprised, still holding the dark bottle in his hand. Our stares lock and slowly, his eyes narrow. I can feel my face warm up.

“Oh, for f**k’s sake with this sushi,” he breathes anxiously, thumping the bottle down. I jolt at the noise, and before I know it, he’s by my side lifting me by my thighs. Instinctively I wrap my legs around him for support. As he heads toward the corridor, holding me firmly, his eyes darting with determination, I ask, perplexed, “Where are you taking me?”