Levi
After calculating the cost of this ride compared to my nightly New York City Subway fare, it's clear this ride will cost me a small fortune. It may be on Kendall's account but there's no way I'm going to let her pay for the driver to drop me off on the other end of the city. As we travel through the dark night to Kendall's apartment I discreetly take two twenties out of my wallet and slip them in her purse. This should be enough to cover the trip.
She's quiet, which is in contrast to the Kendall I'm used to. Her striking light eyes reflect off the glass window as she stares out at the dark street and I can't help but watch her. She's beautiful–stunning, really. She's the kind of woman who walks in the room and every head turns. I've been attracted to her since the first time I saw her. I had just started working security for Forbidden Desires and the security team was having a meeting with Noah in his back office. All of a sudden the office door opens and in barges this beauty–all long legs, brown hair, perfect smile, and a body that very few attain.
Then her mouth opened and I knew I was in trouble. She had sass and I liked it. Her quick wit and charm flowed through that brief conversation with my new boss and when she left the office I was consumed with wanting to know more about her. She may not have even noticed me in the back corner of the room, but those few minutes were all I needed for her to permanently be on my radar. It wasn't until almost a week later that I was briefly introduced to her for the first time as she sat at a table with Noah, Skye, and Skye's ex-fiancé.
Watching her now, I wish I could apologize and explain to her why we'd never work. I have responsibilities–responsibilities her presence in my life would complicate. While I'd want nothing more than to get lost inside her for the night, it wouldn't be fair to her. I can't treat a woman as just a thing to get off in. I respect women more than that.
We pull up to a large apartment building and when Kendall opens the door to get out, I tell the driver if he waits for me a few minutes I'll give him a nice tip. As Kendall fumbles with her keys at the front door of the complex, I step up beside her to wait.
"You don't have to walk me in, Levi." My name passes her lips as a hiss, and then she hiccups, closes her eyes and starts uncontrollably laughing. Proof that she's had a couple drinks too many. "I'm perfectly capable of getting in on my own."
Trying my best not to patronize her I respond, "I'm sure you are. It would make me feel better if you let me walk you in. It's the gentlemanly thing to do."
"Yes, I'd hate for you to do anything ungentlemanly," she slurs sarcastically as she finally gets the front door open.
I accompany her all the way up to the fourth floor and when she gets her apartment door open I realize it's time for me to say goodnight. Five years ago, I would have brought her back to my place and spent the next hour making her scream in pleasure, but I learned early on how selfish that would be.
Kendall looks up at me with her hazed and drunken eyes. "Would you like to come in for some coffee?"
She has no idea how hard it is to turn her down.
"Thank you for the offer but I need to be getting home."
"Right, okay then." She goes to close the door on me, leaving me out in the hall alone when I dart my hand out to land on the wood door, keeping it open. "Kendall, you're beautiful. I need you to know that."
"I know I'm beautiful," she replies as if I'm crazy and I smile at her confidence. Of course, she knows she's beautiful. She has a mirror.
I continue, "It's just that...how do I say this? As beautiful as I think you are and as attracted as I am to you, this is never going to happen between us."
"Why are you telling me this?" she asks annoyed.
"Because I hate turning you down."
"So don't."
"I should go." I step back from her doorway and into the empty hall. "Drink a glass of water and take something for a headache before you go to bed. It will help with that hangover in the morning."
I head back downstairs to the Uber without glancing back at her. When I get back inside the car I give the driver my address and the cash I promised him. It's the last of the cash I've budgeted myself for the week. We head across town and by the time we get to my apartment it's almost four in the morning.
So much for leaving work early. Now I won't get a chance to sleep for at least three hours.
Thanking the driver, I head inside my converted two-bedroom. The apartment is dark so I walk into the small kitchen and turn on the light above the stove. I look over to the living room and Laura is sleeping soundly on the pullout sofa bed. I've told her time and again she should sleep in my bed since I'm not using it at night and it's much more comfortable, but every night I find her on the pullout instead.
I should wake her and tell her to go home. I can take care of transportation this morning, but I know she'll just fight with me and stay anyway. I might as well let her get in a couple more hours of sleep instead.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge I leave my apartment and make my way down to the basement. Next to the laundry room is a small workout room with a treadmill, bench press, and free weights. It's enough for me to get a decent workout in before I need to head upstairs to make breakfast and finish my morning routine.
Just a few more hours and I can get some sleep so I'm rested for the afternoon.