Chapter 14

The light entering the room is too bright for my groggy eyes. I slowly open them and take in my surroundings. The events of last night flooding back into my brain all at once, oh fuck.

I’m in Lakyn’s apartment, in his bed, in his clothes! I slowly sit up, and cautiously turn to see Lakyn lying on his back scrolling through his phone.

“Morning sleepy head. I was waiting for you to wake up.”

“Ah, yeah.” Is all I respond. I feel my head throbbing from the hangover that has set in completely and I start rubbing my temples in hope to ease the pain.

“Let me grab you some pain relief and some water. I didn’t want to wake you up so I’ve just been scrolling the net.” And with that he jumps out of bed and goes to the kitchen.

I sit there patiently and wait for him to return. He comes back with a glass of water and two tablets. I take both enthusiastically, swallowing the pills and finishing the glass in one gulp.

“More water?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.

I nod and we repeat the process minus the pills.

“I’m really sorry-“ I start, but before I can finish he cuts me off.

“Nothing to be sorry about, let’s just move past it yeah? I was thinking maybe we can go out today? I’m sure you’re hungry. Let’s get brunch?”

The idea of brunch perks me up. I am incredibly hungry. I look down at my attire and cringe. There’s no way I can go out looking like this though.

“Let’s swing by your place and get you a change of clothes first.” He laughs.

I nod and get out of bed. He quickly showers again and gets dressed. He comes out of the bathroom wearing tight black jeans, van high-tops and a plain white T-shirt that shows off the tattoos that litter his arm. The shirt is slightly thin enough that when he stands in the sun you can see the tattoos that cover his chest, stomach and back. He looks good.

We make our way back to his car and begin the drive to abeula’s house. We make small talk along the way and my headache subsides as the pain killers slowly make their way into my blood stream.

We pull up and Lakyn shakes his head at the grass that’s grown even more since he was last here. The weather doesn’t help, it grows way too quickly for abeula or I to keep up with it.

“Ah, I apologise in advance for abuela…” I trail off.

He just laughs and shakes his head while I unlock the door and enter into the small hallway. As usual, hearing the lock abeula is already standing at the end of the hallway waiting to greet me. Her eyes go wide as she takes in my attire; Lakyn’s shirt and sweatpants, outfit and shoes in hand.

“Well, well, well.” She starts.

“No! No abuela! We’re not starting that.” I tell her.

She laughs at me as we make our way down and I give her a welcoming hug. She shoos me past her and brings Lakyn into her arms. She’s shorter than me, and the contrast of the small, frail women next to Lakyn’s giant form is laughable as she tries to grapple him into her arms, finally settling on just wrapping them around his waist, head to chest.

“Abuela, so nice to see you again.” Lakyn tells her.

“It’s always nice to see you too Lakyn. I see you brought my neita home in quite a… state.” She turns back to me with a raised eyebrow. “I hope you two kids had fun last night.” She winks, “Can I offer you a tea or coffee Lakyn?”

“That would be lovely. Charlie and I are going for brunch but she wanted to get changed first.” He tells her.

“What’s wrong with what you’re wearing neita?” She asks me, the cheeky grin plastered on her lips.

I roll my eyes at her before leaving the two of them as they make their way to the kitchen to prepare coffee together. I grab a change of clothes from my room before making my way to the bathroom. I quickly shower. I skip washing my hair, I want to keep the smell of Lakyn for just a little bit longer.

I put on my black skirt. It has an elastic waistband but flairs out to sit mid thigh. I also grabbed a plain white T-shirt which I tie up to sit just above the black skirt, showing off the tattoo that sits on my sternum and stomach; a small medusa head. I come out of the bathroom and go back to my room to quickly grab my black platform sandals, and finish the outfit with a baggy denim jacket. Nothing too crazy, but still nice. I slap on a tiny bit of makeup; concealer, blush and mascara and make my way out to Lakyn and abuela.

“Wow! She returns looking somewhat human.” Abeula cheers.

Lakyn looks me up and down, stopping to look at my exposed legs littered with ink. He smiles at me and gives me a nod of approval but says nothing. Well that was underwhelming.

“Well, thank you for the coffee abuela, but I’m sure Charlie is hungry and we should get going.” Lakyn tells her.

“Of course! You two kids have fun.”

“Do you need anything while I’m out abuela?” I ask her.

“Nothing. Now go. Stop worrying about me.” She tells me.

She ushers us out the door and waves as we get in the car and slowly pull away from the house.

“So where are we going?” I ask.

“It’s a surprise.” He tells me.

We make small talk again as I stare out the window.

“You never look at me or the front when we drive. Why’s that?” He asks me taking me out of my trance.

I turn my attention to him as I think over my answer.

“I like to see the world pass by. Everyone living their own lives. Makes me feel small, insignificant.” I tell him.

He turns his attention from the road for a second to look me over.

“There’s nothing insignificant about you Charlie.” He tells me and turns back to the road.

I can’t help the blush that starts coming across my cheeks.

He continues, “I didn’t say anything about how you were dressed in the kitchen because none of it would have been appropriate in front of abuela. I can’t even begin to tell you all the things I want to do to you…” he finishes.

My blush gets even deeper and my mind begins to race thinking about all the things I want to do to him too. I stay silent, unsure of how to respond to that.

He drives us to the waterfront and parks in one of the complexes. Of course he brought us to one of the most expensive parts of the city.

We get out and make our way into the restaurant. I can’t help but giggle at the waitresses taking him in.

“Table for two? Would you like inside or outside?” The petite, beautiful brunette asks Lakyn.

He picks the waterfront and she guides us to a table for two with an umbrella. We sit down and she hands us a menu.

“What drinks would you like to start off with?” She asks us.

Lakyn orders his signature black coffee and me an almond latte. I stare out at the beautiful view, completely ignoring the menu before me. It’s breathtaking.

“You gonna pick something to order or just stare at the view the whole time?” Lakyn asks pulling me from my thoughts.

I smile and turn my attention to the menu, deciding on a smashed avo on toast with dukkah. The girl returns and Lakyn orders a big breakfast with all the sides and the girl returns to the kitchen with our order and menus.

We sit awkwardly across from each other, unsure of who should break the silence first.

“Soooo,” Lakyn says first.

“Soooo.” I repeat back.

He laughs, “Are you ok? I know we said we would just move on from last night, but I just want to know that you’re ok.”

I sigh, “Yeah, I’m fine. Seriously I’m so sorry for being an emotional wreck last night. It just brings back a lot of memories…”

“I told you earlier. You have nothing to be sorry for. And I have no doubt…” He trails off awkwardly.

Way to go Charlie. Remind the poor guy about everything with Ben. Not that you even elaborated on the full extent of his torture on you.

I decide to change the subject, “The waitresses seem smitten with you.” I tell him, turning my attention to the waitresses at the back behind the glass doors giggling to themselves while looking our way.

Lakyn turns around to notice them and they hurriedly get back to work. The place is packed, surely they have something else to do than gawk at Lakyn, the jealous monster in my mind rears it’s ugly head.

“Me?” Lakyn asks, “Did you not noticed the male waiters eyes following you in here?”

I shrug. Male attention wasn’t a new thing for me but it doesn’t mean I noticed it, especially not when I was around Lakyn.

“Who said I swing that way?” I shoot back at him.

“Oh yeah? I distinctly remember someone trying to jump me a few times, and now you tell me you’re not interested in my team?” He fires back.

“I like both, what can I say.”

“Wait, seriously?” He asks after laughing.

“Yeah, what of it? Is that a problem Mr. Carson?”

He laughs at my use of his last name, “No. Definitely not. Now I just need to watch out for both I suppose. Maybe the waitresses are looking at you?”

The conversation flows easily and soon our meals are here. We both eat quickly, starving from the lack of food and the abundance of alcohol we drank last night. When we’re finished eating the waitress comes and takes our empty plates. I return my gaze to the view, but am pulled away from it when Lakyn stands up. I watch him as he grabs his chair and shifts it so that he’s now sitting beside me, facing the view and me.

“I wanted a better seat for the view.” He tells me.

“It’s stunning isn’t it.”

“Yeah, you are.” He responds.

Again I’m blushing, fumbling for words. How can I possibly keep up with this smooth man?

I feel him place his hand on my thigh, slowly teasing his way up higher and higher. I stare at him as he makes direct eye contact with me, unable to break away as his thumb rubs little circles on my skin. I can feel the heat start to rise off me as I blush uncontrollably and goosebumps start to litter my skin. His hand slowly inching up higher and higher.

“Lakyn.” I plead, unsure of what I’m begging for.

“Yes Charlie?” He asks me, in full control of me and the situation.

“We’re in public.” My voice hitches.

“So? What if I told you I had an exhibitionist kink?” He asks back.

My mind races at the idea of having sex with Lakyn in public. I had done it before, but the thought of doing that with him…

“You’re so fucking beautiful Charlie. You know that? I want to tear your clothes off right here baby.”

Before I can even second guess it my mouth responds, “So let’s get out of here then.”

And with that Lakyn’s up asking for the bill.