Soar

“Isn’t there always?” He walked back inside.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Eric’s calm appearance, but I didn’t stop to worry about it. There was something much more pressing and appealing waiting for me back home.

Chapter Eleven

Casey

The sheets must have been at least eight hundred-thread count. I wrapped myself up in the blue top sheet, feeling absolutely no desire to get out of bed. If the guest sheets were nice, what were Toby’s like? I shook myself. I was not allowed to fantasize about sleeping with a guy just to enjoy nice sheets. Or a nice view. I’d seen his windows the night before, and I wouldn’t mind waking up to that view. I wouldn’t mind waking up every morning in the guest room either. It definitely beat my closet.

Light spilled in through a small slit in one of the blinds. That was something else my closet lacked, a window. If I’d had the energy, I would have gotten up to pull the blinds up further. I love waking up to natural light, and I missed it every day at Rhett’s apartment.

I glanced at the clock. Eight thirty a.m. It had been a fabulous night in luxury land, but it was morning and time to go home. Too bad Toby wasn’t looking for a roommate. I would have answered that ad. I’m sure plenty of girls would—and not just as a platonic roommate. I gave myself a few minutes to think about him. Even through his shirts, I could tell his body was the perfect mix of lean and muscular. I wondered what his chest would feel like under my hand, what his lips would feel like on mine. I always pictured he’d be the gentle kind of guy, but the hint of his personality I’d gotten the night before made me wonder if there was something much more primal underneath.

I pushed the thoughts away. There was no reason to go there. Especially not when I was sleeping in a bed down the hall from his.

I needed to wake up, but maybe a few minutes more of comfort wouldn’t hurt. I curled up.

Bam. Bam. I sat up with a start. What the heck was that?

Bam. Bam. Bam. The noise repeated, and I realized it was someone pounding on the front door.

I laid back down, putting the pillow—wrapped in a super soft pillow case, might I add—over my head.

The insistent banging wouldn’t stop. I rolled over, waiting for Toby to take care of whoever was there. Who had guests that early on a Sunday morning? Especially ones that rude.

The pounding continued. And continued.

Where the heck was Toby? He had to hear it unless his room was soundproof or something.

Boom. Boom.

Maybe it was stupidity, but I reluctantly pulled myself out of the luxurious sheets, ran a hand through my rumpled hair and looked for Toby. I didn’t bother to brush my teeth, but then again, I didn’t plan on him getting too close to my mouth.

The door to Toby’s room was open, but he wasn’t there. His bed was unmade, and he’d left some discarded clothes on the floor. His office was just as empty.

I searched around for a weapon. Anything I could use to protect myself. Who knew who was on the other side? I had a choice. I could sit tight and wait for whoever it was to either go away or break down the door. Or, I could answer it. The thought of someone breaking down the door while I huddled in the corner is what made the decision. I was going to meet whoever it was head on—even if it was while I was holding a lamp.

I mustered the most confident voice possible. “Whoever you are, Toby isn’t home.”

“Could you open the door?” a male voice asked. The voice was deep and kind of sexy. I wondered if the owner of the voice matched it. Not to mention, I hoped the owner of the voice wasn’t insane.

“Who are you?”

He sighed, like my even asking the question was ridiculous. “I’m here on business. I need to talk to Toby.”

“He’s not here.”

“I’m not going away until you open the door.”

“People know I’m here. If you kill me, you won’t get away with it.”

He laughed. “I’m not going to kill you.”

“How do I know that?”

“Because I gave my name to the doorman, I’ve been caught on no less than six surveillance cameras on the way up here, and I don’t generally go around killing people. Especially not girls.”

“Why are you less likely to kill girls?”

“Because I like them. A lot.”

I slowly opened the door and my jaw dropped. Standing there was a shirtless guy with a body that couldn’t be real. Hard. Muscular. Perfect. That’s the way I’d describe his chest. He had abs that would make underwear models jealous. My eyes zeroed in on a few beads of sweat making a descent down his chest. When they reached his stomach, I forced my eyes up to his face.

He grinned. “So you’re why Toby isn’t getting the job done.”

“What?” I asked, forcing my eyes to stop looking at his chiseled abs.

“You’d distract me too.” He didn’t bother to hide his appraisal.

I looked down and crossed my arms. I met his eyes again and was met by an expression of humor and want that nearly melted me.

“I’m just staying here.” I felt the need to explain myself. If not for my sake or dignity, for Toby’s. I promised myself it wasn’t because I wanted this sexy guy to know I was single.

“Staying here, huh?” He smiled. “Well, you can stay at my place anytime.”

“Do you live around here?” His wider grin made me regret the words. “I’m just wondering. Not because I want to stay with you.”

“I’m from New Orleans, but I have a place here too—at least I’m borrowing it.”

“Oh. Well, Toby isn’t here.”

“You already said that.” He stepped into the apartment. “Know where he is?”

“No. I don’t.” I took a few steps back.

He matched my movements, ending up just as close to me as he was before. “No kiss goodbye this morning?”

“That would have been hard since I was in the guest room.” I put a hand on my hip. Sexy or not, I wasn’t going to let this guy get to me.

“Guest room? Likely.”

I could feel my blood boiling. How was he getting under my skin so easily? “It’s true. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get my stuff and go home.”

“Are you going to wear that?” He gestured to my outfit, and that’s when I remembered what I was sleeping in.

I willed myself not to blush, but I could practically feel the blood rushing to my face.

“I’m guessing those are the guest pajamas, huh?”