Chapter 117
Once Charlotte was sound asleep and no longer clinging to him, Sean quietly stepped out to the living room.
The apartment had two bedrooms and a living area, but the second bedroom didn’t have a bed. He would have to make do with the couch tonight.
Outside, the city had gone quiet. Under the cover of night, he finally got some rest.
As dawn broke, the early morning light slowly crept into the room.
Charlotte had always been an early riser. Even after a night of drinking, her body woke up like clockwork.
Her head was pounding. The hangover hit hard.
She sat still for a few minutes, waiting for her thoughts to catch up. Slowly, the fog began to clear.
She remembered the dinner with her coworkers. After that, they had gone to a bar and she had a few drinks. Probably more than she could handle.
Everything after that was a blur.
She vaguely recalled a man showing up. She might have clung to him. Maybe even said some embarrassing things.
The memory hit her like a jolt. She was suddenly wide awake. Panic rushed through her like a wave.
“Oh no, oh no,” she murmured.
She had been all over some guy. How was she supposed to explain that if Sean found out?
Would he be jealous?
Not that she was afraid of him getting angry. What scared her more was the idea of him misunderstanding, of him getting hurt.
She cared about Sean deeply. She didn’t want to see him upset because of her.
Charlotte threw off the blanket and sat up. Her gaze fell on what she was wearing.
“Wait. Pajamas?” she wondered.
When did she change into these?
How did she even get home?
She pushed open the bedroom door, planning to head to the bathroom to wash up. But the moment she stepped out, she froze.
There was someone on the couch.
A tall man, wrapped in a blanket, feet hanging slightly off the edge, head tilted back, eyes closed, and jawline sharp in the early morning light.
Sean.
Her heart practically stopped.
He was here?
He was the one who brought her home?
Oh God.
Did he see what happened at the bar? Did he see her clinging to some random guy?
She wracked her brain, but she couldn’t remember what the man looked like. Her stomach dropped.
She had no idea what Sean had seen. The thought made her want to bury herself in the floor.
She glanced at the couch again. He looked peaceful. Way too handsome to be crammed onto such a small piece of furniture.
She felt a pang of gullt seeing someone like him curled up uncomfortably just to take care of her.
Quietly, Charlotte walked over and stood in front of him. After a pause, she reached out and poked his cheek with one finger.
No reaction.
He was still fast asleep.
She got a little bolder and gave his cheek a light pinch.
This time, Sean stirred. His lashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes, still half–asleep.
“Lottle,” he murmured, voice husky from sleep. “You’re up.”
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Chapter 117
Charlotte pressed her lips together and hesitated. “You should’ve slept in the bedroom.”
Sean sat up and ran a hand through his messy hair. “What time is it?”
She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Seven thirty.”
Without warning, Sean reached out and pulled her into his arms. His hands wrapped around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
“It’s Saturday,” he mumbled against her skin. “Why are you up so early?”
His voice was still scratchy from sleep, low and impossibly sexy.
Warm breath brushed her ear, and she flinched from the sensation. Her body reacted before her brain could. A wave of heat rushed through her.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she said softly. “My head’s killing me. Too much to drink last night.”
Sean chuckled. “If you can’t handle your liquor, don’t drink so much.
“You have no idea how much trouble you caused.”
He almost lost it in front of everyone.
The memory of clinging to that man last night suddenly flashed through Charlotte’s mind. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She lowered her head,
flustered and ashamed.
“I… I’m sorry, Sean…”
Sean’s voice came out low and husky, with a rough edge that was dangerously seductive.
“Oh? Just ‘sorry‘ and that’s it?”
He let out a slow, teasing smile.
“You never even tried me, and yet you told everyone I had performance issues?”
His eyes glinted.
“How about we test it out and see if I really live up to your claim?”
