Disastrous (Disastrous Series) (4 page)

He looked at me, “So where to?”

I was suddenly exhausted and nauseated. “You don’t know where I live?” I mumbled.

“Why would I?”

Rolling my head along the headrest, I turned to look at him. “Do you know where Jeremy lives?”

Gorgeous brown eyes stared back into mine. “Yeah,”

Yawning, I was super tired. “We’re roommates.”

With furrowed brows, he said, “Oh, he didn’t mention that.”

“I can tell.” He reversed the car and pulled out of the driveway.

Bang, Bang, Bang.
“Mia, open up! Miaaaa!”
Bang, Bang, Bang.
I was awakened by a loud noise. The rude interruption startled me. I looked around and realized I was home in my room on my own bed. Thank God. My heart slowly returned to a normal pace. I was in my panties and bra with last night’s dress
lying
beside me. Managing to sit up, I felt dizzy. Uh, it felt like I was hit with a hundred-pound-weight ball.

“Mia, open up!” Jeremy’s voice trailed from out front. Jumping out of bed, I quickly threw on a t-shirt then headed for the living room. When I opened the door, I was greeted with a relieved grin. Jeremy said nothing as he walked by and headed straight for the guest bathroom leaving the door wide open as he undid his fly and peed. “Ahhh,” he moaned. I slammed the front door and walked towards him. He shook
Thor
twice, then zipped back up, and headed for the couch.

I rolled my eyes as I entered the bathroom. I had to flush the toilet because he always forgets to do that small task! Sitting down, I released all of the alcohol I’d consumed the day before. Feeling queasy as I stood to flush the toilet, I hesitated before washing my hands. Once the urge to throw up passed, I joined him on the couch. Jeremy’s eyes were shut with his head slumped back onto the sofa’s armrest. “So, where are your keys?” I asked suspiciously, but I knew the answer already.

Slightly lifting his head, he opened one eye. “I don’t know. I lost them somewhere. I searched everywhere possible.” He mumbled.

Both eyes were open, and he sat up at my glare.

Leaning over him as I stood by the end of the couch, I raised my hand to chastise him. “Jeremy, this is the
third
time we’ve changed the locks due to your irresponsible behavior. You lose your keys, and I get stuck with making the phone calls and waiting all day for the maintenance man to replace the lock!” With both hands on my hips, I waited for his explanation. He had none.

He rubbed his head, disgusted with himself
or
with my attitude. “I
know
, I
know
, I’ll make the phone call. I promise.” With his right hand against his chest and his left palm in the air, he pledged this time he would.

I scowled at him. “We both know that it will take months before you call.
Ugh
, I’ll just do it later.” I decided there was no point in continuing to argue, so I headed back to my bedroom and searched for my sweats. He followed me and jumped on my bed. Before I could even remember it, he was holding my vibrator up with a crooked smile.

“
So
I take it you didn’t get laid last night.”

Embarrassed I jumped over the bed and snatched my toy that was swinging in his hand. After I secured it in my drawer, I made a mental note to clean it later. I refused to clean my toys in front of him. It would have just given him something to tease me about for the next few weeks, and I had no idea where his hands had been. I don’t remember using it either!

He laughed out loud but instantly snapped out of it when he met my evil glare. By the time I found my sweats and put them on, Jeremy was comfortable on my bed with the back of his head leaning against my pillow. I scooted beside him and shifted under the covers. "So, how was your night?" I asked, trying to focus on anything other than the memory of Jeremy swinging my toy in the air with a wicked grin.

His hands covered his entire face, and he mumbled underneath his palms. “It was terrible! I followed this chick all the way to her place, but when we got there, she fell asleep! I was too tired and drunk to hop back in a cab, so I just crashed there. I left this morning before she awoke.”

I burst into laughter, and he peeked at me through his spread fingers. He wasn’t amused, which made me laugh harder. "Oh, Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy, so I take it
Thor
didn’t get any action either?” I teased, and I could tell he didn’t appreciate my sarcasm by his narrow eyes. I slapped his arm, “Oh don’t be so lame.”

Turning on my side to face him, I held my head up with my hand. He spread his arms over his head to stretch then brought his hands behind his head. I wasn’t uncomfortable with Jeremy beside me in bed. Jeremy spent many nights here, not just for sex. Before our relationship became more than just friends, he would lay beside me in bed to comfort me.

On days when I thought I would cry alone the entire night, he was there. He was a really good friend. Our relationship may have seemed awkward to an outsider, but he was
my
Jeremy. I didn’t see us going any further than we had. We were just comfortable with one another. I knew more about him than any female, and he knew more about me than…well more than anyone.

“So how was your night last night? I mean with being driven home by Marcus and all.” He yawned and closed his eyes.

Shit
! I snapped back to reality. I’d totally forgotten DeLuca drove me home. I began to gather my thoughts of the night. I remembered bits and pieces: getting into his car … his waking me up when we were in front of the building. What
else
, oh yeah I knew he came in and guided me to my bedroom. Then I undressed.
Oh no
! I could feel the blood drain from my face. I undressed in front of
him
.
What the hell!

What else happened? What else happened! My head hurt from straining to remember. I remembered being mad … but for what reason?
Ugh
, I walked over to my drawer and pulled out my vibrator.
OH MY GOD
!
Did I pull out my vibrator in front of him? I think I’m going to be sick! I don’t know what happened next!
Wait
, I think I was too upset and tossed it. I didn’t use it, but did he see it? The blood rushed back to my head, and I quickly felt nauseated.

“So are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to ask him myself?” Jeremy teased with his eyes still closed. Good, he couldn’t see the red-faced, nauseous expression I was wearing.

“Uh, nothing happened: he drove me home, led me to the door, and then he left. I locked the door and went to bed.” Hopefully that would keep him from asking any questions about what I did or did not do with DeLuca. He nodded, and before I finally came up with another topic to discuss, he was fast asleep snoring.

I adjusted my pillow and shifted to lay on my right side, giving Jeremy my back. My stomach was in knots trying to recollect last night’s events. How could I have been so stupid and childish? The one thing I didn’t want to happen had happened! I made a complete fool of myself in front of not only a striking man but in front of a powerful, intelligent and
way
-out-of-my-league man.

Should I even show my face at this interview Friday?
Ugh
, I buried my face into the pillow. Hopefully he won’t be there to interview me, and if for some God-only-knows- reason I get this externship,
hopefully
I’ll work in a department far away from DeLuca so I won’t have to see him again.

****

I woke to the sound of the doorbell ringing. Forcing myself out of bed
,
I stumbled across the hardwood surface and opened the door. I froze when I saw him. His eyes were tense, his stance so masculine, his jaw line tight and strong, his full edible lips slightly parted, and his broad shoulders overpowering my energy. I took all of him in, studying every inch of this perfect man in awe before speaking.

“What are you doing here?” I breathed.

Seductively biting his bottom lip, he dragged his teeth across it. I melted.
I
wanted to drag my teeth across those lips too. “I’m here for you, Mia. I want you, and I want you now,” he growled. I gasped in air, aroused by his demand. Before I could respond, he wrapped me in his arms and crushed his lips on mine.

His kiss was so fierce and hard; his tongue overpowered mine, soft and moist. I felt the blood heat through my skin. My knees weakened, and I would have fainted to the ground if it hadn’t been for his strong arms holding me in place. His fingers were tangled in my hair, and he gently tugged at it. Pulling my head back to look into my eyes, he aggressively said, “Bed, now!” I nodded in response.

“Mia, Mia, wake up, Mia.” Jeremy nudged my leg, waking me from my sleep.

“
Hmm
, leave me alone; I was having a good dream,” I whined, throwing a pillow over my head.

“Mia, Marcus is here for you.” I yanked the pillow off.

“What?” I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him correctly.

“He says you left your purse and phone in his car last night; he’s dropping it off to you. I told him you were sleeping,
but
he wanted to hand it to you himself.” Jeremy stood over my bed, biting into an apple.

I turned to look at the time. It was 5:30
P.M.
I’d slept all day! “Okay, um, I’ll be out in five minutes.” Jeremy shrugged and walked out, closing the door behind him. I jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror standing by the corner of my room. Oh my God! I looked terrible: black eyeliner and mascara were smeared all over my eyes, and my hair was a wild mess.

Thankfully my bedroom had a private entrance to our main bathroom. I rushed in and quickly took a shower.

Fifteen minutes later, I was bathed, had my teeth brushed, and managed to put an outfit together with skinny jeans, black flats, and a fitted white t-shirt. I brushed my hair into a ponytail and threw on a pair of silver hoop earrings. On my way out I noticed a grey summer scarf on top of my dresser, and I quickly wrapped it around my neck.

Taking a deep breath, I headed out. At first I didn’t see anyone in the living room. When I heard Jeremy laughing, I knew they were in the kitchen. Marcus was sitting on a stool by the island with his back facing me. Jeremy looked up at me. “Five minutes, huh?” I grimaced at him, and he responded with a crooked smile. Marcus turned his head. Oh he was even more gorgeous while sober. I couldn’t believe I’d just had a dream about him!

He stood up from the stool and reached for something on the counter. Then he made his way towards me. He was wearing a black, fitted, very expensive suit; his shirt was a crisp light blue; his black silk tie was loosened, and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone.

When he finally reached me, he extended his hand. My clutch was lying on his palm. I reached for it, and my fingertips lightly brushed against his skin. Remembering his hands touching me in my dream made my insides tighten, and my face warmed at the thought. I looked up at him, and he seemed amused. “Thank you. I appreciate your going out of your way to bring me my belongings.” I nervously smiled.

He flashed that dimple again, and my smile widened. “Have you eaten Mia?” The question puzzled me,
eaten
?

When I thought about it, I realized that I hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and my stomach was aching with the realization. “No.”

“Well, will you join me for dinner? I haven’t eaten since noon and would love for you to accompany me. There’s a little Italian restaurant a block or so away from here that we could walk to. It’s a very nice evening.” I didn’t know what to say. I was still confused about what happened last night and in my dream.

Oh God…well maybe I can get some answers. Looking past his shoulders, I tried to catch Jeremy’s attention for guidance. He wasn’t paying attention, though. Marcus followed my eyes and turned to face Jeremy who was busy texting away. “Jae, I’m going to take Mia out to feed her real Italian food. You want to come?”

Jeremy looked up from his phone and smiled, “Nah man, if this text goes well, I think I’m going to have a visitor tonight.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Very well then, see you soon, if not Friday.” Marcus grabbed my elbow and dragged me out the front door.

Before leaving, I snapped my head around to Jeremy; he waved at me then returned to his text. What the hell just happened!

I breathed for the first time since leaving my apartment when we stepped outside. It was still light out, and the cool air was perfect. There was no need for a jacket, but if I were wearing one, I wouldn’t have felt uncomfortable either. I relaxed once the light breeze swiftly blew by. Marcus was beside me near the curb, but he kept his distance from me. Looking down as we walked, I managed to speak. “So where are we going?” I asked, trying to avoid the uneasiness I was feeling. He, on the other hand, seemed calm.

“It’s called Romano’s. It’s a small mom and pop shop, nothing fancy, but the food is amazing. Everything is homemade, even the pasta.”

“
Mmmh
, that sounds good. I don’t remember seeing it around here, is it new?” I asked, since I was brave enough to finally look at him. Even his side profile was gorgeous. Tracing his features with my eyes, I noticed the perfect line of his nose, his plump lips, and the perfect structure of his jaw line. I could have stared at him for hours and not gotten tired of that face. He licked his lips before responding, causing the muscles between my legs to tighten. Looking away, I proceeded in a faster pace, trying to distract my thoughts.

“No, it’s been there for almost twenty years. It’s a very small place. You’ve probably passed it a few times on your way to school but never noticed it.”

Nodding, I remained silent for the rest of the walk.

We approached a small brick corner building. On the door handle hung a small blackboard sign with Romano’s written on it with white chalk in cursive. He opened the door and let me in. It was a very tiny place; it held about twenty small round tables, maybe fewer. The place was empty, but each table was draped in white linen and decorated with a few lit tea lights. The dark wood floors matched the chairs, and the exposed brick wall gave the place a warm feeling. The lights were dim, and if I hadn’t just walked in from outside, I would’ve thought it was at least ten o’clock at night. It was a very lovely place.