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“Why do I do this to myself?”
Staring at myself in the mirror, I slapped my micellar-water-soaked cloth over one eye and rubbed slowly. Last night’s makeup was still caked to my face, and while the utter ecstasy I had reached at the hands of Lucas and Sebastian had removed some with tears, the rest had become like a second skin while I slept. My memory of getting into bed was hazy but I was ninety percent sure Sebastian had tucked me in. What a night that had been; although regret sat heavily on my shoulders - I hadn’t been awake enough to wash up.
My skin was not going to thank me for that.
As I washed, my mind wandered.
Every tingling shock and lingering throb from last night was a tantalizing reminder of sex so good I almost couldn’t believe it. Lucas had been amazing, and I was still eternally grateful for how he had stood up for me. Then Sebastian came and rocked my world with sex so intense, that the inside of my thighs were still aching from the phantom impact of his hips.
They were men. Real men. Who knew that a little caveman existed under all that money.
Smiling to myself, I finished removing my makeup and then slowly climbed into the shower. As much as I loathed to wash the memories away, I didn’t want to think about what was caked to my skin, and a shower would help ease the thumping of my hangover at the base of my skull. Rich people certainly made sure their alcohol was strong.
Even in the shower, my tired mind ran with itself. My hands turned into Lucas’, washing the suds across my naked body with care. The heated shower tiles became his chest, and I leaned into it with a smile. Shampoo-covered fingers in my hair became Sebastian’s more demanding grip, a powerful pull that yanked at my core with the same force as if my pleasure was a puppet and he held the strings. Even Danny, who had been absent from my activities, swept into my mind and I sighed wistfully into the stream of water. Parts of city life really were a dream.
Unfortunately, the dream couldn’t last, and reality came knocking in the form of abrupt knuckles against the door. Three times someone knocked, and then they paused and repeated. I hadn’t ordered room service. Maybe it was one of my bed buddies?
Unable to keep the skip from my step, I rinsed the remainder of my shampoo, turned off the shower, and grabbed a thick, fluffy towel.
“Coming!” I yelled as the knock came once again. Whoever it was, they were insistent. I hurried barefoot to the door, some soap suds still clinging to my calves as I wrenched open the door, ready to tell whoever it was to be more patient. Instead, I came face to face with the Desk Manager, who smiled politely, albeit tightly.
“Yes?”
“Miss Parker? I’m here to remind you that your stay is over.”
My heart stopped. “Excuse me?”
“The funds set aside for your stay are at an end. Check-out is in an hour unless you would like to place down another card for an extended stay?”
“Wait… what?”
The Manager sighed. “Mr. Ashbluff has pulled his card. You will need to provide another or vacate the room.”
Of course.
How stupid could I be?
With everything going on, it was sheer luck that Toby had paid for the room this long, but now that I was pushing back and becoming a problem, the gloves were off. My grip tightened on the door, and I nodded quickly, wet hair strands dragging over my bare shoulders.
“No card,” I said quickly. “I’ll be out.”
“If you could please—.” I closed the door, deaf to all else the Manager had to stay.
“Fuck,” I breathed out and I cast my eye around the hotel room. What was I going to do? Where was I going to stay? Where could I even afford in the middle of the city? If this was his plan to force me to go back home and give up on my fight, then he had another thing coming. I wasn’t going down without a fight.
I just had to sort out a place to stay first.
Another quick shower rinsed off the remainder of the soap and I quickly packed up my things. After a lot of internal debate as I moved around the hotel room, I eventually folded up the dress and included it with my luggage—something to deal with later. A few hotel shampoo samples ended up in my bags too, a souvenir of sorts, and ten minutes before check out, the door went again.
This time it was a porter to help me down with my bags.
Outside with my bags at my feet and the cold February air clinging to my leggings, I called the only person I could think of. Lily. If anyone could help me find a cheap motel in the city, it would be her. Unfortunately, Lily didn’t answer.
Not on the first ring or the fourth.
Not on the third call either. It wasn’t entirely unlike her, given how she had work, and with the Valentine’s festival on top of that, it was plausible that she was busy. Despite that understanding, I couldn’t help the slightly disappointing swell that my best friend wasn’t there for me. I felt a fleeting sadness as I stamped my feet against the growing cold and sighed. Maybe I could call Lucas? Then again, it probably wouldn’t be wise after what had happened with his parents. I cast an eye down the street, then made my mind up.
I would find a coffee house, tuck in the corner and search for motels for as long as the place was open until I found somewhere. I wasn’t giving up. Just as I gathered my suitcase and bags, a hand suddenly caught my arm and I flinched in alarm.
