CHAPTER NINE
KIRA
I didn’t even have a fresh change of clothes to wear this morning. I hated repeating clothes. There was no way I could have worn the mini skirt and the jacket, they reeked of sweat and alcohol.
“I could have the hotel send you up some clothes from the shop. What size clothes do you want me to order?” Blade inquired as he sauntered over to pick up the telephone.
“No, don’t bother. I can’t afford new clothes from this expensive hotel. I’ll just wear my clothes back to my motel and change there.”
“Kira, I wasn’t asking you to buy anything. I got you, sweetheart.” Blade gave me a daring glance over his shoulder.
I shook my head. “No, I can’t allow you to spend money on me like that.” I didn’t want to feel like a two-bit slut being compensated for having sex with him. Scorching sex, too, but I couldn’t do it. I kept those thoughts to myself.
Blade blew out a harsh breath and replaced the telephone back in its cradle. “Stop staring like that Kira.”
“Staring like what?” I bristled under his intense glare.
“Stop overthinking last night. Last night and this morning were wonderful, and I like you a lot. If it will make you feel more comfortable, maybe you can wear something of mine. I’ll have your clothes sent to the cleaner’s here. It won’t take long to have them laundered and pressed.”
Now that idea seemed more feasible. Besides, I wanted to wear Blade’s clothes. I craved to know what it felt like to wear something personal to Blade. I was so happy and content after our lovemaking session. I knew I was glowing, and all thanks were to Blade Benefield.
“Okay, thanks,” I replied.
He ambled over to the walk-in closet and came and dropped one of his shirts on the bed next to where I was seated.
“A Trash Monkeys’ tee-shirt?” I glowed inwardly and picked up the shirt. I would treasure this tee-shirt for as long as I lived.
“Yeah, baby.” He winked and jumped into bed beside me.
“I must say you have beautiful breasts.” He eyed my perky peaks.
“Thanks,” I muttered and pulled the shirt over my head. I knew it was big enough to fall below my knees.
Blade’s cell phone buzzed, and he rolled over to grab it off the bedside table.
“Speak,” he directed to whoever was on the other end of the phone line. “Hey, Trisha.” He smiled, and for some reason I became jealous. “Hold on a minute,” he told her and slid on his underwear before walking out onto the balcony.
I guessed he needed privacy to talk to her, so I got up to go into the bathroom. An extra toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste sat on top of the counter, so I made use of it. Two minutes later, I reentered the room to find Blade making a call this time around.
“Um, what would you like to have for breakfast?” he asked me.
I shrugged. “I’ll have whatever you’re having. I’m not picky,” I replied but wondered what Blade and Trisha talked about. Did she want to know why he wasn’t in her bed last night?
He nodded and spoke into the receiver. “I want two Belgian waffle breakfasts with orange double cream, raspberries, and softly scrambled eggs. Fresh squeezed orange juice to drink,” Blade said to the person on the phone.
“You know, I heard you were a ladies’ man and you’re free with spreading your goods around.” I remembered the scrawny girl at the gas station and our conversation. I also thought about the rumor of him and Trish Truitt being lovers.
“Where did you get that?” Blade laughed. “You can’t believe everything you hear, Kira. These tabloids make me sick with their lies.” A look of disgust momentarily crossed his face.
“Never mind. But not all tabloids are bad,” I replied. Damn, I’d been all caught up in Blade until Trisha had called and slammed me back into reality.
“That’s not my take on them, but enough about those hounds. I would love to know you better,” Blade responded, and I became quiet.
I wasn’t expecting Blade’s animosity with the press and I surely wasn’t expecting him wanting to know me better.
Right, I was not the kind of girl who slept with a guy because of money or fame, but I didn’t think a rock star like Blade Benefield would be interested in a woman like me. I never expected in a zillion years to have as much fun with someone like him and pleasure at the same time.
“Is this because—” I paused and inhaled.
“It’s not about the sex. We’re both mature, consenting adults. We’ve had sex before with other people. There’s just something about you, Kira Martin. It’s like a spell, an attraction you’ve weaved on me. The moment I set eyes on you, I felt like I had seen a goddess.”
I was speechless. I had nothing to say in return.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Our breakfast had arrived, I presumed.
“Let me get the door.” Blade pulled on a robe and sauntered out of the bedroom.
“Come on in,” Blade said.
I overhead him thanking the server who brought us breakfast. Blade returned to the bed rolling in a cart with a large tray that had two silver domes covering our plates.
“Yummy.” My appetite was entirely restored as I stared at the array of food in front of us. The waffles were light and fluffy, just the way I liked it. I forked a piece into my mouth and chewed.
“So, you were saying?” I glanced up at him, and he grinned.
“Would you give me the chance to know you more, Kira?” He was looking at me directly now, but he wasn’t smiling.
This made me realize he was serious about wanting to know me better.
“You want us to like, start dating? Be in a relationship?” I had to be sure of what he really wanted. You could be just friends with somebody and know everything about them. But I knew we could never be platonic friends; a boundary had been crossed.
“Yes. I want to date you,” Blade returned instantly.
I scooped up a bite of scrambled eggs with my fork. I had tasted regular waffles before, but these thick Belgian waffles with cream were on another level altogether. I’d never eaten a breakfast that tasted this delicious. Even the eggs were incredibly tasty. The salt and the spices were just adequate. I savored the eggs, closing my eyes and taking in the light aroma of nutmeg and thyme that was used to spice it. I enjoyed my food while I slowly mulled over what Blade was saying to me.
“I want us to date, but we have to keep it between us and out of the press because of my career,” he continued.
“Why? Because I’m just a small-town girl and not fit enough to be your Hollywood-style lover?” I felt scorned.
“Nah…because of the vultures.” He shook his head.
“Vultures?” I was lost.
“Vultures are journalists. They are always hungry and conniving, looking for the next big story. They are lying slanderers. They don’t even care about the truth most of the time. All they are after is traffic, to make a hit and have more money at the expense of some other person’s sanity.”
I cringed as I learned of his opinion on journalists but covered it up by picking some raspberries up and pretending to admire their bright red color. I popped one into my mouth and squashed it with my tongue; its nectar filled my mouth with sweetness.
Blade was not aware that I was a journalist; I decided not to tell him. Starburst hadn’t even mentioned it. What was the point of ruining a beautiful time with a rock star who I really liked and respected?
I would just continue with him and see where things went. After all, who could turn down a date with a smoking-hot guy like Blade Benefield? I gleefully smiled because if Blade wanted to date me, it meant the tabloids had gotten it wrong—he wasn’t dating Trisha Truitt after all.