Katie reluctantly peeled open her eyes and tried to ease the morning sun shining right into them. She shut her eyes, stretched, and yawned. A refreshing wave of peace and relaxation came over her, and she wanted to nestle back into sleep smothered in her blankets. Her eyes opened again, hoping it was pouring rain so she could have an excuse just to lay around all day.
Katie frowned when she turned to look out her window...it was gone. Slowly, she took in the sight of... a room that was not hers. She also took note that she was completely naked. She shot up, trying hard to recollect how she got whatever she was at. Memories crashed into her brain, and she winced.
Lucas.
Wine.
Making out.
His apartment.
Sex.
Katie fearfully looked over and sure enough, there laid Lucas resting soundly. At least she hoped because she had to get the hell out of his apartment fast.
Carefully, she got out of his bed and picked up her clothing that was haphazardly thrown about his room. With each step, Katie looked at Lucas, praying he didn't wake up.
Please, God, just let me get out of here and I swear I will not have sex until I am married! She thought. Okay, that probably wasn't going to happen, but she promised never to have sex with someone she barely knew. Ideally.
Once dressed, she took a quick glance in the bathroom mirror and gasped. Her lips were bright red, a small hickey throbbed on her shoulder and she could feel scabbed nail marks stinging on her back. Her dark brown hair that she worked so hard on yesterday now looked like she stuck her finger in a light socket. Luckily, her makeup stayed on reasonably well. Kind of. She straightened her clothes and pawed at her hair.
This was as good as it was going to get, she thought.
Once out of his bedroom, Katie had to worry about roommates. She listened for sounds like footsteps, water, breathing, any remote sign of life.
Nothing. Not a sound.
She cautiously tiptoed to the door but not before a loud grunt stopped her in mid-step. She gave a loud gasp and slapped a hand over her mouth. A guy, who she could only guess was his roommate, lay on the couch half-naked and passed out with a gallon of orange juice still in his grasp and Jack in the Box wrappers all over the coffee table. Katie tried not to gag at the sight and bolted out of the door.
Just as her foot reached the last step of Lucas's apartment complex, with the exit door in sight, a younger guy walked through the front door. His 5 o'clock shadow gave him a sexy, rugged look but the red bags under his eyes and crumpled clothing made one reconsider. He nodded, and Katie gave a quick smile. She thought she might have seen him somewhere, but at the moment, she probably would think that about just anyone. With her luck, that was a pastor that knew her mom and seen pictures of Katie at her parent's house and just saw Katie Garling strutting the walk of shame. She was by no means religious, and neither was her family, but what if they took a startling turn in the past week? You just never know!
But, that aside, she really just had to work on never seeing Lucas or running into him. Ever again.
Sleeping with a guy in the class you are a TA for wasn't the best way to accomplish said goal. Jackass! Her moral compass reminded her. Fuck, what the hell were you thinking?? Katie scolded herself.
But flashes of their night came like unwanted lightning. The darkroom with the tinge of blue from his window illuminating them just enough. His heavy breath on her ear, his fingers clutching her hips as she rode him. She could still feel her nails clawing into his shoulders, her teeth sinking into the fleshy part of his neck. It was hard to regret a night of hot and heavy sex with a guy who was charming enough to get Katie in the sack within an 8 hour period.
Coffee, she thought. Get some coffee! Take your mind off of him. Last night is a night better left forgotten. You will carry on like nothing happened and never speak of the event ever again. Ever.
She had to work at the library today, and for the first time, she didn't want to. Maybe at work she could just stay in the back mending for today. Or forever. The dim lighting worked well with hangovers and the lack of patronage was another strong appeal. Lucas came into the library a lot, even on Saturdays. Maybe she should just call in, which she never had done but, she never did one night stands either, so maybe this weekend will be a long line of firsts.
With a deep breath, she took in Seattle. The early mornings were beautiful, even when the skies were cloudy and overcast.
Katie reached her apartment and made a bee line for the shower. Stripping off her cardigan, she could smell him on her clothes. Unable to resist, Katie buried her face in the cardigan and inhaled. Jesus, he smelled good. REALLY good.
There wasn't much about him that wasn't good, she joked.
Fuck, Katie, Stop!
She scolded herself.
As she peeled off her clothes, she saw her ass had just the faintest pink tinge to it. He wasn't a full-on spanker, but a few playful slaps were enjoyed throughout the night. She ran her fingers over the red blotches along the column of her throat, still tender from his stubble scraping against her skin. It looked more like an allergic reaction than the work of a mouth.
She wondered what Lucas was doing right now. Maybe waking up with a deep relief that she snaked out and avoided that awkward conversation. Probably just going about his day like everything is totally normal.
Katie just wished it felt that way too.
*********
Lucas slowly crept out of sleep as the sound of pots and pans came blasting from the kitchen. He instinctively rolled over to put an arm around Katie, only to find a cold, crumpled spot where Katie once laid. He bolted up and noticed the trail of clothes gone.
Searching more, he didn't see a note, number, or any indication she was even here.
She
left
? He thought, still unable to process the thought. Why would she leave? Did she leave? Maybe she is the one making all the noise in the kitchen.
He stumbled out of bed and clumsily threw on his pajama bottoms. He stalked toward the door until a searing pain in his foot seized him. Hopping away, he bent down to see a long silver chain with a milky white stone on it. Lucas picked it up and instantly remembered it on Katie's chest when she took off her shirt.
Holding it, he ran his thumb over the smooth yet uneven stone while the delicate chain pooled in his palm.
More noise sounded from the kitchen. Lucas shoved the necklace in his pocket and returned to his original mission; find out who is making all that damn noise.
Lucas's stomach sank when he saw his roommate, Jake, standing over the stove making eggs while Dean snored on the couch.
