Chapter10
1859 Words
Anna and Justin met Xander and Helen, walked to the next building, and took the elevator to the top floor. When the doors opened, Anna’s eyes widened, seeing two couches, beige with gold trim, a glass coffee table in between them, and a bar behind them. The kitchen came off the sitting room, and she guessed they called it a sitting room because there wasn’t a TV in the room.
The hallway decorated with ancient Greek paintings of gods and relics had three closed doors, and she guessed they were two bedrooms and a bathroom. The floor was white marble with black trim and reflected the images on the wall. She thought the place was stunning and liked the design.
Xander watched her looking around with wide eyes and laughed.
“What?” she asked.
“You should see the look on your face right now, it reminds me of the look on your face when we were kids and you saw the manor for the first time. You thought it was a castle,” he laughed.
She made a face and stuck out her tongue. Justin chuckled, walked toward the bar, and poured light brown liquor into four glasses as Helen and Xander slipped off their shoes and sat down on a couch. Anna wanted to change, get comfortable, and get out of the dress. She disliked wearing them.
“Justin, where can I go change?”
He looked at her as he brought the drinks to the table and gestured down the hall.
“The door on the left. It is the room with the biggest bathroom.”
She nodded, watching him hand Xander and Helen their drinks, and smiled politely.
“Okay, I will be right back.”
She took her sneakers off, left them by the elevator, and walked to the door on the left. The room was a large bedroom with a loft-style window, and you could sit on the window sill and see the city. The view was amazing, and she blew a breath, staring at the site.
The bed was enormous and looked like four people could sleep on it comfortably. The bedspread was a light gray, and the pillows were embroidered with the name Hardy.
A large flat-screen TV hung from the wall in front of the bed, and the bathroom was separated by a half-frosted opaque glass. She saw men’s clothing on the floor and realized it was in Justin’s room. His scent filled the air, and it smelled sweet.
Anna changed into sweats and socks and threw her dress in the backpack. She placed her backpack by the bedroom door and walked out into the sitting room.
As she walked down the hall, she braided her hair down her back.
“Comfy?” asked Helen, and Anna smiled, nodding.
“So, you are a police officer?” she asked, and Anna looked at her in question.
Pretty weird question to ask, especially when you don’t know someone.
“Yes, why?” she asked, raising an eyebrow, and Helen pointed to her sweats.
“Considering your casual wear.”
Anna snorted, looked at her clothes, and her cheeks flushed. Her palms were sweaty, and she felt nervous and embarrassed about her behavior and needed to regain control of her emotions.
Get it together, Anna!
She scolded herself, shook her head, and snorted, giving Helen a knowing look. The woman giggled, and Anna grinned.
“It’s okay. Just relax. You’re among friends.”
“Thanks,” she said, sitting beside Justin and crossing her legs underneath her.
“Is this alright?” she asked, pointing to her legs.
He smiled and nodded, taking a sip of his drink. He was glad she decided to stay, and no, he didn’t like feet on his furniture, but it didn’t seem to bother him this time. She was comfortable and content, and that was all that mattered.
“Of course, make yourself at home.”
Xander studied Justin’s face and raised his eyebrows. Anna looked at him, tilting her head, and saw the look fade.
********
They talked for a few drinks, and the group started yawning.
“Well, I think it is time for us to head to bed. We have an early morning,” said Xander, and Helen agreed.
“Okay, it was nice meeting you,” slurred Anna, and Helen snickered.
“Likewise, Anna.”
She watched Helen and Xander disappear into the first door on the right and close the door.
‘Must be the guest bedroom.’
She thought, taking a swig of her drink, and Justin scooted closer.
“Anna,” he said softly as he put his hand on her braid and played with the end.
She looked at him curiously. She didn’t like anyone touching her hair. She wouldn’t even let her mother touch it when she was old enough to take care of it, but he didn’t seem to bother her.
“Yeah, Justin?”
“Why didn’t we become friends instead of being enemies when we were kids?”
She thought momentarily and snickered, and Justin chuckled, looking up.
“Because,” she stated, facing him, and he let go of her braid.
“You were a jerk, remember!”
He sighed and picked her braid up, giving her an innocent look.
“And now?”
She looked into his eyes and chewed on her bottom lip. Could she trust the gorgeous man sitting in front of her with her heart? She knew he wasn’t the type to settle down, and she didn’t want to be the next Hardy girl. She sighed softly and looked at him thoughtfully.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
He looked down in defeat, half-laughed, and looked at her.
“Well, when you decide, will you let me know?”
“Sure,” she said and downed her drink.
“Can we be friends tonight?”
She studied him for a moment. Her silence made him think that she was thinking the wrong idea. He wanted to get to know her, not sleep with her, but before he could say anything, she spoke first.
“Okay. We can be friends,” she whispered, searching his eyes.
He downed his drink as Anna got up and poured another.
“Would you like?”
He nodded, watching her grab his glass, pour their drinks, and walk toward the couch. Justin smiled as Anna sat down, and they talked for a while.
********
Anna looked at Justin as her head tipped forward and rested on his shoulder. He smirked and brushed her hair behind her ear, glancing at her lips. Her forehead creased, and she gave him a drunken thoughtful look.
“Don’t do it. Don’t you dare, or we will repeat the sixth grade,” she slurred.
“Do what?” he chuckled, touching her face.
She searched his eyes, glanced at his lips, and shook her head. He snickered and kissed her forehead. She sighed and rested her head against his face.
“Okay, come on, gorgeous. Let’s hit the sack,” he said, and she whimpered as he pulled her to her feet.
She leaned against him, and his scent invaded her nostrils. She inhaled and sighed happily. He smelled so good, and tingles shot through her body. He felt her run her hand up his chest and inhaled a shaky breath. He ran his hand up her back and rested it at the nape of her neck.
She lifted her head and searched his eyes as he rubbed her cheek with his thumb.
“What?” he asked, steadying.
Anna shook her head and snorted.
“Sorry. I’m really drunk. I agree. Come on, gorgeous. Let’s find the bed,” she slurred, and he chuckled, nodding.
They stumbled down the hallway, entered Justin’s room, and snickered as he closed the door. He let her go, walked toward the dresser, and pulled out a pair of sweatpants.
“Be right back,” he said, and she nodded, stumbling to the bed.
He went into the bathroom, changed, and came back out. She was sprawled out on his side of the bed, and he chuckled. She looked at him with one eye, reached for him, and he crawled in beside her. She pulled her sweatshirt off, revealing a plain white sports bra, and threw the shirt on the floor.
He opened his arms, and she snuggled against his bare chest. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed happily. She looked at him, kissed his cheek, and pressed her cheek against his heart.
“Night, Justin.”
“Goodnight, gorgeous,” he whispered, kissed the top of her head, and drifted to sleep.
********
Anna heard her cell ringing and slowly opened her eyes. She found herself in Justin’s arms against his chest and smirked. Carefully, she slipped out and pulled her phone out of her pocket.
“Simone.”
“Anna, please come home. You need to come home,” said Paul urgently.
“Paul, what’s wrong?” she asked loudly and didn’t realize she woke Justin up.
He rubbed her back, and she gave him an apologetic look.
“What is it?” he asked sleepily, and she shrugged.
“Anna, tell Justin to bring you home right now. It’s your parents,” stated Paul.
She sighed and shook her head.
“What about my parents?”
“Your dad…” he paused, and it sounded like he sobbed.
Anna swallowed hard and froze.
“My dad, what, Paul?”
“Anna, he’s been murdered!”
Justin watched the phone slide from Anna’s hand and fall. She slid off the bed, and her knees hit the floor. He crawled off the bed and knelt beside her.
“Anna?” he said, touching her shoulder.
She didn’t respond. She sat there, staring into space.
“Anna?” he heard Paul call and picked up her cell.
“Paul?”
“Justin, bring her home.”
He sighed and looked at Anna.
“I will, but she is in shock right now. She won’t respond or move.”
“Justin, her father has been murdered, and her mother is gone.”
Justin inhaled sharply and ran his hand through his hair.
“What?”
“Just get her home,” said Paul.
“We’re on our way.”
Justin hung up the phone and knelt before Anna. He touched her face, and she looked at him as tears slid down her cheeks.
“Hey,” he said softly, and she huffed a sob.
“Come on, let’s get you home.”
She wrapped her arms around him and sobbed. He hugged her tight as tears slid down his cheeks and blew a shaky breath. He knew the feeling, and his heart ached for her.
“I’m so sorry, gorgeous. I’m sorry,” he sniffed, hugging her tighter.
She only nodded as Justin grabbed her sweatshirt up and pulled it over her head. He pulled her to her feet, threw on sneakers and a sweatshirt, and grabbed Anna’s backpack. She put her sneakers on, took Justin’s hand, and they left the penthouse.
- Writer
