Jeremy
I woke to the scent of her lingering on my sheets, Vanilla and Amber, and I inhaled deeply.
With my eyes still closed, I reached across the bed, expecting to find her soft curves under my hand, but it came up empty. I blinked, my heart sinking a little as I opened my eyes and turned toward the other side of the bed. Empty.
The sheets were still warm so that meant she couldn't have been gone for long. I held still, listening for any sound in the bathroom, thinking she might be in there, but no sound came from there.
It was then I noticed her stuff was gone. No dress, no shoes, nothing. She'd slipped out while I was fast asleep. I sat up, running a hand through my hair and grabbing my phone from the nightstand: 6:03 a.m.
I let out a low breath and leaned back against the headboard. Disappointed didn't even begin to cover what I was feeling. Funny thing was, for years I'd never let a woman stay the night. No sleepovers, no attachments, that was my rule. No exceptions.
But with Gia, I had made one. I'd tossed my rule out the window without a second thought. There was something about her, something that hooked me from the second she walked into that bar last night, looking hot as sin in that dress, all clingy and perfect around her curves, turning every guy's head in the place.
I'd wanted her, bad, and I couldn't remember the last time a woman hit me like that. Not just for her looks, although those were enough to knock a man on his ass. But there was more. Something I couldn't place my fingers on.
I should be relieved that she left without saying goodbye and saved us both the awkward morning after goodbyes which I always avoided. But for some reason I wasn't.
I dragged a hand over my face, breathing her in one last time, her vanilla scent still clinging to the sheets.
Maybe it was for the best. A few hours with her, and I'd already broken my own damn rules, let her stay, slept like a rock while she ghosted me. That's never happened. I don't sleep through shit.
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath, swinging my legs off the bed and headed for the bathroom, I needed to shower, hopefully it will help to calm my mind.
I had breakfast with my son, Preston in two hours. That thought didn't do much to lift my mood.
My son and I hadn't seen eye to eye in a long time. Not from my lack of trying. God knows I'd been trying but it's like talking to a brick wall. All Preston cares about is my money, how to blow it, and not earn any for himself. And his mom doesn't even help matters, Jessica will always support him even when he's wrong.
Last time we fought because I cut off his allowance, and told him to get a job and stick to it. He lost his shit, stopped taking my calls.
I know I haven't been the best dad, but Preston doesn't make it easy either. This breakfast was supposed to be a chance to sort things out between us. I just hoped he'd show up without a tantrum this time.
After a long, hot shower, I decided to hit the hotel's private gym. Maybe working up a sweat would help clear my head.
It didn't.
No matter how fast I ran or how heavy I lifted, my thoughts kept circling back to Gia, her curves, the way she'd moaned my name, the taste of her still lingering on my tongue, how soft her skin felt beneath my fingers.
I needed to forget her, get her out of my head. She was a one-night stand, supposedly. That was the rule. But the rule felt hollow now, like it didn't fit anymore.
I increased the intensity on the treadmill, pushing myself until my legs burned, sweat dripping down my back, but it was useless.
Fuck, I wanted to see her again. Problem was, I didn't even know her last name, so that makes finding her difficult.
After an hour of punishing my body and getting absolutely nowhere mentally, I headed back to my suite and took the coldest shower of my life. The icy water did little to shock her out of my system either, but at least it numbed me for a while.
I got dressed in a crisp button-down and dark slacks and headed downstairs for my breakfast with Preston. On the way out of the elevator, I caught myself scanning the lobby, the sidewalk through the glass doors, even the faces of women walking by, a part of me hoping for a glimpse of her.
Nothing. Of course. I shook my head and pushed the thought aside as I entered the restaurant. And, as usual, Preston was late. No surprise there.
I ordered a black coffee and sat by the window, watching the city wake up as I waited. To keep myself distracted, I pulled out my phone and skimmed through the latest market updates. My company's stocks were up, a sharp rise after yesterday's earnings report.
At least something was going right.
Thirty minutes later, Preston strolled in like he had all the time in the world. Typical.
I shook my head as he approached the table. "Nice of you to finally show up," I said dryly.
He flashed that easy grin of his and slid into the seat across from me. "Morning, Dad."
I returned his smile. "Good morning. How have you been?"
He spread out his arms. "Still alive."
I nodded and signaled a waitress. "What do you want to eat?" I asked as she approached.
He picked up the menu, glanced at it, and gave his order.
"So… how are things going with you?" I asked.
Preston rolled his eyes. "How do you think they're going? You cut off my allowance."
I groaned, rubbing my forehead. "I did that to push you toward responsibility, Preston. You're not a kid anymore."
He scoffed. "Right. Because throwing me into the deep end with zero support is such great parenting."
I bit back the urge to lecture him. "How's work?"
"I quit," he said with an air of nonchalance.
I let out a slow breath, trying to stay calm. "What happened this time?"
"My boss was too controlling. Always on my neck like I'm some intern. And the place didn't feel like my vibe anyway."
Of course. It was never his fault. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "I'm heading to South Africa for business for a few weeks. Why don't you come with me? Get your feet wet in the business. Learn something. Work."
Preston made a face like I'd just offered him prison time. "Yeah… I'll pass."
Our food arrived, and I watched as he dug in like nothing was wrong in the world. Midway through chewing, he looked up.
"I need some money. I'm looking to get an apartment."
I raised a brow. "What happened to the one you were living in? Weren't you staying with your girlfriend?"
"We broke up. I had to move out. I'm crashing at Mom's for now, but… yeah, I need my own space."
I exhaled slowly and gave my head a small shake. "Alright. I'll restart your allowance."
His eyes lit up instantly. I added, "But since you're not interested in coming to work at the company, you need to get a job. If you don't, I'll cut you off again. You're twenty-four, Preston. You're not getting any younger."
He nodded, muttering, "I will," but I'd heard it before. We'd danced this same dance too many times already. And every time, the music never changed.