Chapter 2 MORNING GLORY

Drip drop, drip drop.

A persistent sound, echoed in her ears.

Candice hissed and turned over in her sleep. Who or what was making that sound?

She turned on her side, reaching for her pillow, a strong unmovable object obscured her view.

What was this? Oh, where was her pillow?

Her eyelids fluttered open for a minute, then she jolted up from the bed.

The sight before her alarmed her, who was this half naked man, covered in white bedsheets, laying casually on her bed beside her?

She looked at the mountain of a man, how did he get her? With her? In her bed?

Wait!

This wasn't her bed. She looked around her strange surroundings, nothing here looked like they belonged to her.

Where was she and how did she get here?

The sheets moved; muscles rippled as a huge frame of flesh maneuvered over to face her on the bed.

"You're finally awake," a deep rich voice rumbled.

She looked up at him, he looked familiar...

Aah her brain, come through, she knew this face, but how?

"I was waiting for you to wake up," he said propping himself up on one elbow.

She gasped! she remembered.

"What are you doing here?" she asked raising the sheets to her chin.

He looked like he was barely managing to suppress a chuckle "Feeling shy? You could barely keep your hands off me last night,"

She frowned "what do you mean?" then just like de ja vu, the entire memories of the night before came crashing down on her.

Oh, my goodness.

Hot embarrassment flooded her veins, her face paled in disbelief. "Don't tell me we..." she trailed off looking down at herself cladded in a silky red lingerie.

"Yes, we did" he replied to her promptly.

Candice balled her hands into fists as she cursed inwardly.

Damn you alcohol, this was not how the night was supposed to end!

That was why she didn't utilize such tactics, because where others got away unscathed, she had gotten laid without any results.

She quickly sprang up from the bed, anger replacing her grief "I never wanted this. How could you do this to me?" she thundered in anger.

He sat up abruptly, all smiles gone. "You wanted this; you were literally throwing yourself at me all night. You told me to take you somewhere more private."

She was taken aback for a second, then blinked as understanding dawned. When she had told him to take her somewhere private, had he read another meaning into it?

His words were a blow to her ego, it was true she had tried to seduce him, but she was only trying to get on his good side, not sleep with him.

Well, she didn't have time for this. Since her goal had failed woefully, she needed to leave immediately.

Turning around, she searched for her handbag "Where is my handbag?"

He didn't respond.

"Where is my handbag?" she queried growing impatient.

"What does that have to do with me?" he sneered.

"It has everything to do with you. I don't know what transpired between us last night after I drank that beer, but I came to that old dainty bar for business, very important stuff."

"I agree, and you did get the 'business' you wanted" he replied stiffly.

She let out a frustrated sigh as she began gathering her clothes thrown around the room. Why bother explaining herself to this grumpy man when she could just leave.

"What do you think you are doing?" he asked coldly.

"What does it look like? I am leaving I have a job to report to. Obviously last night didn't go as plan-"

"I will not let you return to that bar, "he cut her off quickly.

"Why do you think I'll go back there-"

"I decided to play your little game last night and let it slide because it was me, but I will not tolerate you whoring yourself to men at bars. I forbid you from such a job." He commanded.

A frown crossed her face "Who told you I was whoring or whatever it is you just said about me now?"

Candice was trying her best to stay calm. This man from last night had looked down on her from the first moment she met him and now he was mocking her because he had slept with her.

Yes, she desperately wanted his patronage, but it was costing her more than she had been willing to give. Most animals when cornered lashed out in self-defense.

She was no different.

How in the world did she end up in bed with him? It must have been the alcohol. She had sworn off that intoxicating drink that made you make bad decisions and regretted it soon, rather than later. It had made her loose her precious virgin head to a faceless man in an alley one dark night, many years ago. Since after, she had stayed away from it and avoided it like a plague. It seemed like she had made the very mistake she was so afraid of, waking up in a stranger's bed.

How could one glass of beer knock her out? Did he spike it with drugs? What was this man up to?

Benice had a lot of explaining to do. How did she get in contact with him? Who was her source? He looked normal on the outside, but he could be a psychopath.

Then slowly, very slowly like a lion rousing from its sleep, he began to rise from the bed. Muscles rippled, tendons strained, bones stretched as a magnificent sight unfolded before her.

She could not help herself; the sight was enthralling.

He was taller than most men she knew or usually came across. He looked like one of the Greek gods who had come down to dwell amongst men, abs flexed on a firm abdomen, chestnut-colored nipples dotted a broad expanse of muscled chest, her eyes dipped lower, down between his legs, a black mass of curly hair covered...

"Like what you see?" his deep voice mused.

Candice quickly averted her eyes as her face flushed with embarrassment, she was not just ogling his naked body, was she?

He was so stunningly gorgeous, but with a shitty attitude.

"Is that how you look at your numerous bedmates with lust at dawn after a long night of passion?" he asked in a mocking tone.

As water doused a flame, she felt her brief moment of admiration for this man melt away. His annoying way of talking helped her to remember to stay on topic.

She folded her arms against her chest and glared at him.

Now where were we?