CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Why can’t you understand that we belong together?” Ali slurred her hot breath reeked of alcohol as it ransacked the back of his neck. Her body was slumped against his back her arms splayed across his shoulder blades as he tried effortlessly to key into her condo and help her keep her balance.
“Damn it.” He held his breath not wanting to smell her breath – an alcohol and upchuck mix. She was past three sheets to the wind. Had been that way for the better part of the night, and he was way passed pissed. It would have been the perfect networking opportunity, but he spent his night literally babysitting her.
They had arrived separately. She looked ravishing in a slinky red dress that hugged her breasts and an elegant split leading up to her thigh. Her hair was pulled back in a neat chignon, and her makeup was flawless. They greeted each other with the standard hug but she had to linger making sure he felt her breasts pressed against his chest. Following the hug, the rest of the night turned into him having to pull a couple of the wait staff aside to ask them not to serve her anymore because she was starting to get sloppy. Her words were slurring, and she was starting to get a bit loud. His pep talks hadn’t worked because he spotted her flagging down the servers’ champagne laden silver trays and stuffing her face full of hors d’oeuvres.
Turning the key in the lock, he was able to push the door ajar with his shoulder. He stooped a little lower so he could reposition her piggyback.
“Kane.” She moaned.
“What?”
“Did you hear me?”
“You need to get some sleep.”
“No. No. No.” She whined. “What I need you to do is put me to sleep.”
He mumbled curses under his breath as he lowered her onto the modern ink colored sofa in her living room. Her living room possessed a contemporary feel with everything decorated in blacks and whites. She toed out of her stilettos and tossed her cell phone on the coffee table. Smoothing her hands over her breasts she began, “Just hear me out. I messed up when I slept with Brent but you have to understand I was drunk.”
Kane shrugged out of his suit jacket. He focused on her as he rolled up his sleeves. Her mascara streaked her cheeks and her chignon was long gone with her long blond tresses tangled around her face that now looked like a box of Crayolas exploded on it. “This is not a conversation we need to have. I just wanted to make sure I got you home safe. My job here is done.”
“Kane.” She pleaded her case as she tried to stand. “If you would just give me another chance…” Her face turned pale as she gagged. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She clamped her hands over her mouth and raced in the direction of the bathroom.
He was hot on her heels. He grabbed her hair just as she blew chunks into the commode. “Man.” His nostrils upturned as the stench of her puke invaded his nose. He felt his stomach bubble as she emptied out the contents of her stomach.
“God.” She cried. “This is so—” more chunks flew out of her mouth, “So embarrassing.” A couple of minutes passed, and she glanced up at him through watery eyes as she reclaimed her hair from him. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” He stepped back as he watched her turn to the faucet and turn on the water. She rinsed her mouth and splashed her face with ice-cold water.
“Would you mind grabbing me a towel please?”
“Sure. Where are they?” His eyes darted around the bathroom.
“In my linen closet. Just go out the bathroom door and there’s a cabinet on the right.”
Kane followed her instructions and seconds later he handed her a towel.
“Thanks.” She began disrobing.
“Hey.” His hands flew to his eyes. He started taking several steps back. “What are you doing?”
“Oh, come on.” She let out a weak chuckle. “You act like you’ve never seen me naked. We’ve made love before remember?”
“I’m leaving.” He backpedaled out of the bathroom and headed for the door.
“Wait.” He could hear her bare feet padding across the hardwood floor behind him. “I don’t understand why you won’t consider giving me a second chance.” She clamped a hand around his wrist. He turned around to see the towel cinched tightly around her breasts. “I slept with Brent two years ago.”
“Do you remember that’s also when you and I started seeing each other?”
“I know, but we weren’t exclusive.” She bleated. “Plus you left me for a week. Was I not supposed to go out and party?”
“I was away on a business trip, and you fucked one of my best friends. You know what?” He threw his hands up in disgusted resignation. “This is irrelevant. I’m out of here.” He turned towards her front door.
“Wait.”
“What do you want?”
“Would you mind staying for a little bit? At least until I’ve fallen asleep? I mean there’s a chance I could get sick again, and I don’t want to be alone.”
He blew out a breath. He pointed towards the living room. “I’m going to stay in the living room. You stay in your bedroom, and if you feel like you’re going to be sick again holler for me, but I’m only going to be here for a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” She rushed up to him as if she wanted to hug him, but he blocked her. She hung her head, then looked up at him through lowered lashes, “I really am sorry for sleeping with Brent. I wish you would forgive me. I know I could be the woman you need in your life.”
He didn’t say anything.
“I just wanted to get that off my chest.” She dashed to her bedroom, and he lowered himself onto the love seat. Yawning he reached for the remote. He loosened his tie as he flicked channels. “I’m leaving in twenty minutes,” Kane mumbled as another yawn escaped him and he floated off to sleep.
Forty-five minutes later, a soft warm body straddled Kane’s. His manhood stiffened as she grinded against him.
“Damn,” he murmured through a moan.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Warm lips pressed against his neck. In the fogginess of his erotic haze, he pictured her toffee colored skin, glossy pouty lips and her wild super curly auburn colored hair cascading down her shoulders.
“Oh yeah.” His strong hands gripped her waist so that she could feel what she was doing to him. “So are we going to continue playing the Casanova, Miss Congeniality game or are you going to finally tell me your name?”
“Baby,” she giggled, the stench of vermouth and vomit assaulted his nostrils. “I’ll play whatever game you want me too. Just as long as you let me play.”
Kane’s body stiffened and his eyes darted open. “Ali.” He growled and lifted her off his lap.
Moving down to the opposite end of the couch, Ali quickly wrapped the towel around her breasts. “I thought you were enjoying me on top of you.”
Kane jumped to his feet as he fixed his slacks. “Look, I am sorry if I led you on a moment ago, but I thought you were supposed to be in your room?” His erection deflated as anger surged through him. He never meant to allow her to get that up close and personal with him again.
“I was in my room, but then I got sick again. I called out to you. You didn’t answer that’s when I found you knocked out on the couch.”
“Oh, so you decide to come out here and grind against me?”
“Don’t act like you didn’t like it.” Their eyes rested on his rigid erection.
“That’s not the point.” He could not lie. Her hands on him felt good, damn good, especially since it had been awhile since he shared his bed with a woman, but the only woman he wanted touching him in a way that could bring unadulterated pleasure was Miss Congeniality. That thought startled him. How could he want a woman he barely knew to touch him in such an intimate manner?
He stormed past Ali and muttered curses under his breath as he snatched his jacket off the chair. He was officially done with his wild adventure of babysitting crazy Ali. He needed a drink – fast.