The Collection (Contemporary Reverse Harem 5)

Chapter 23

KEALY

“Coffee?”

I opened my eyes to a blinding sun. Well, I didn’t really open them—I started to, and all I could do was blink furiously. I wasn’t sure where I was, but I did know I was naked, my head pounding, and my mouth dry as hell.

Shielding my eyes from the torture burning into them, I looked around the strange room until my eyes focused.

A gorgeous man with red hair sat on the bed next to me. I looked up at Shane, wearing only blue striped pajama bottoms. And I saw his scar for the first time in broad daylight.

It was an angry red welt, not particularly large or scary to the eye, but it carried the weight of a life-changing experience. It had become part of who he was, and if he were to be in my life, it was to become part of who I was, too. I took a sip of the milky, sweet coffee he offered me and lightly ran my finger over the flaw in his otherwise perfect skin, more slowly and thoughtfully than I had the night before. I looked up at him.

“Yup. There she is. My beauty mark,” he said with a laugh.

But I knew Shane was like me, and that in spite of our scars, whether inside or out, we were survivors. The years I’d spent bouncing around in foster care, being told kids like me never amounted to anything, left a scar just like his on my heart. I’d never forget it, but it wouldn’t define me, either.

“I’m sorry you went through that,” I said.

He nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

I squeezed his hand and took another gulp of my coffee. “What time is it, anyway?” I asked, trying to remember where I’d left my bag, which would have my phone inside.

“Um. Looks like eight forty-five,” he said, looking at the digital display on his stereo.

I leapt out of his bed. “Oh, shit. Oh, my god. Oh, shit. I’m going to be late for work.” I began running around the room in a panic, collecting the clothes scattered all over the floor from our fun the night before.

“Slow down, cowgirl. Get yourself dressed, and I’ll get you an Uber to work.”

Fuck it. I’d have to wear the same clothes two days in a row, but I could probably change into something once I got to the office. There were all sorts of extra things just sitting around there, and Forest loved it when we wore his designs. I grabbed my things and raced into the bathroom.

“There’s an extra toothbrush under the sink, darlin’,” Shane called after me.

“Don’t you have a shoot today?” I hollered.

“Yeah, but not ‘til ten.”

I rushed out of the bathroom. “Do I look okay?” I asked. “Presentable enough for work?”

He put his hand under my chin and turned my face as he lowered his lips to mine. His mouth felt like velvet, and my legs wobbled.

Shit. Did I really have to go to work?

Actually, yes, I did. It was a big day, and I had big plans.

Shane climbed in the Uber with me and dropped me in the garment district, where Forest’s studio was. I watched the car pull away from the curb with him in it, on his way to making some photo look as perfect as he was.

* * *

Of course, I ran smack into the boss the moment I arrived on our floor.

“Miss Rocher,” Forest said with a smile and raised eyebrows, “we’re starting in just a few minutes. See you in the conference room?”

“Be right there, Forest,” I said, running to my desk to drop my things and grab my laptop.

We were meeting for our quarterly ‘style out’, where we discussed the next season’s concepts, and Forest provided direction.

Of course, Muse blathered on in the meeting, like he always did. It had never bothered me in the past, his desperate grab for attention—I’d thought it was an endearing little quirk. But now, it grated on my nerves to no end. So instead of listening, I thought about my guys and what might lie ahead.

They were all so great, with Rand working toward his degree, Marlon forging a path despite his father’s resistance, Shane volunteering even after his horrible mugging, and Cross raising little Joey on his own. I was proud to call any of these guys my friend, and I was blown away by their interest in me.

Yeah, I’d come a long way from my yearly move from one foster family to another, lugging the few belongings I had from place to place in a dingy pillowcase.

“…and Kealy, I’d love to hear your thoughts,” Forest said.

Shit. And don’t you know, Muse sat there with a shitty smile on his face.

But I was prepared.

“I’m liking it, Forest. I think the military influence of this past season has worn itself out, and moving into something less trendy could be a really good move for us.”

Forest nodded, considering what I’d just said. I stole a look at Muse, who was scowling. Not seconds before, he’d been pushing the military look. He’d probably never dreamed I’d contradict him.

But I’d never dreamed he’d fuck me over. So there was that.

And of course, none of them knew I had plans. Big plans.

I’d hummed my way through the rest of the day, on top of my game like I hadn’t been in a while.

“Fantine,” I said when she picked up on the first ring.

“Hey, stranger. Didn’t see ya come home last night…again…” she taunted.

“You are right,” I said, lowering my voice, “I did not make it home.”

“And who were you with, this time?”