My Five Night Fling by Maci Dillon
KASSIDY
I wake up on the sofa in Jarett’s shirt, the sunlight shining through the window. Man, traveling fucks with my sleep pattern. I have no idea what time it was when I finally fell asleep, but I crawled out of Jarett’s arms at least an hour after he passed out. I was tossing and turning and didn’t want to wake him.
Plus, I’ve never stayed the night with a man before.
Thankfully, I’m on holiday with the freedom of time. I have no idea about his work schedule and timeline, but he does have a gallery to run.
Speaking of which, is he still here?
Surely, he didn’t abandon me in his apartment. I search on the floor for my phone until I vaguely remember stumbling around in the dark trying to find the charger in the kitchen. I groan as I push myself up to a sitting position.
My eyes are heavy, and even without a mirror, I can tell my hair is a solid mess. I cringe, knowing I have to make it back to my room in this state. It’s a damn good thing I have no chance of running into someone I know.
“Morning, you.” I run my fingers under my eyes before turning in the direction of his voice to find Jarett in the kitchen.
“Morning,” I manage around a yawn. He chuckles at my morning face. “Is that coffee I smell?”
“Figured you might need some,” he offers as I pull up a stool at the breakfast bar.
I take the mug he offers and inhale the scent of strong morning coffee—my lifeblood. No day should ever begin before a coffee or three.
“I guessed it! You’re a coffee addict.”
I raise my eyebrows at his observation, taking a hearty sip of the frothy warmness. “You inhaled it as if it were your drug of choice. Only an addict smells their product before trying it.” I can’t help but chuckle at his logic.
He observes me while I sit silently enjoying my caffeine hit.
“Was it the bed or me you were escaping from early this morning?” he asks openly. It takes a moment to respond, so he continues, “I was worried when I woke up that you might have been gone.”
I shake my head, my bed hair bobbing around heavily at the movement. “Nope, wasn’t leaving. I couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to disturb you.”
He nods at my response but offers nothing further, and an awkwardness spikes between us. Looking at my phone, it’s a little after eight, and I have messages from Chloe, Raven, and Miah.
“I should head off, change, and take in some of this beautiful city.”
I don’t wait for a response, so I excuse myself to the bathroom to change and tie my hair in a messy bun. Thankfully, my long coat will hide the fact I’m still in last night’s clothes.
Jarett is ready to go when I walk out.
“We may as well travel together. I need to go to the gallery to take care of some business. Did you want to meet there when you’re ready? I’ll give you a tour. And we should have a gander at some tourist attractions. I’m up-to-date on all the best places and may be able to get you cheaper rates.” He smirks, his eyebrows raised in question.
Or hope.
The only answer is yes.
I can’t deny spending more time with Jarett. He’s high on my list of wants. “Sounds perfect.” I grin, glad the growing silence from earlier has now dissipated.
