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Friends.Jesus, I wonder how many of his ‘friends’ he gives kisses like the one he gave me? My bleary eyes meet his tired ones and he gives me a small smile. I’m in a hotel room with Bryn Hughes, the man I hardly know, but who I’m happy to get blind drunk with, apparently. If I hadn’t reached the unconscious stage, what would’ve happened? Would I be here and embarrassed by a night of passion with a rock star? I’m ashamed to admit to myself the answer would probably be ‘yes ‘to that question.
With each drink, the more I paid attention to what attracted me to Bryn. Yeah, the killer body, the strength of the arms that held me, and the kiss, but more. Despite the teasing, I liked Bryn’s weird humour, his natural friendliness and his misguided attempt to help me take on my ex. I’d happily have indulged in another of his mind-melting kisses and whatever else he was offering.
It’s a bloody good job I lost consciousness.
Bryn orders a taxi and we head to the lobby where I perch on a sofa avoiding the curious looks from the same receptionist as last night. Bryn stands next to me arms crossed. All I want to do is get home, climb into my bed, and not come out until Christmas.
“Can you text me and let me know you got home okay?” he asks.
“What?”
“Text. Phone. Message. I’ll give you my number.” He takes the phone I’m holding on my lap, the one I was studying Facebook on to avoid conversation, and taps the screen. “My number.” He hands it back.
I have a rock star’s phone number.I stare at the digits. “Right.”
A taxi pulls up in the covered drop-off zone outside and I stand. What now? We eye each other cautiously, the embarrassment of the morning after but without the night before. No screaming orgasms or blowjobs for us.
“Sorry about the kiss,” he says. “I’d had a few beers and—”
“And you’d need to be drunk to do that.”
Bryn reaches out and pulls his fingers through my tangled hair. “Don’t put yourself down. I enjoyed the kiss.”
My legs decide that I’m not walking to the taxi, frozen on the marble floor as my heart rate skyrockets. What do I say to that?
He draws his brows together. “Clearly you didn’t— but at the time, you were enthusiastic.”
“Bryn, okay, stop now.”
“Thank you for an interesting evening,cariad.”
“Certainly one I won’t forget in a hurry.”
“Same.” Bryn holds his arms out to hug me and before I get a chance to protest, he squishes my face against his chest. From this day onwards, I will love the scent of leather and sandalwood. “Take care,bach.”
“I am not little!” I protest, pushing him away.
“So cute…” He arches an eyebrow.
“Goodbye, Bryn,” I snap and stomp away. Stomping doesn’t work in the heels I’m wearing and I slip, managing to right myself before I end up on the floor for a second time in twenty-four hours.
“Avery!” I turn back to him. “Wait. Let me drive you home.”
“I’m fine; the taxi’s here.”
Bryn rubs his hand along his cheek. “I want to drive you.”
“Why?”
“I feel I owe you, last night… That was my fault.”
“I’m a big girl. I can take responsibility for myself.”
Bryn bites his lip and sweeps a slow look up and down my body. “I’m not saying anything; my foot still hurts from last night.” He holds his hands up in defence as I scowl at him. “Please? I want to make sure you get home okay.”
Why do I agree? Because I don’t want to leave Bryn? Because I think he’s going to ask me to see him again? I shake the thought away, yeah, right. Bryn said he was a gentleman, and that’s what’s happening.
The journey takes ten minutes, the motion and the odd smell new cars have turns my stomach again. I close my eyes and concentrate on not heaving all over the expensive upholstery. Bryn opens the window and icy air blasts my eyes open.
