take dirty pictures for you so that you won’t miss any of it.”
I nod, pretending to care. “That’s a good girl.”
Without another word, I turn on my heel and shut the door behind me. Ever since I let Harper into my world, she’s been a constant reminder of everything that’s wrong in my life. My father told me the same shit had happened to him before and even more so after he went pro. Women are relentless when it comes to athletes. At least now, I can get back to Tori without any more drama from Harper. For now.
Chapter 7
Tori
Disoriented, I wake to the loud thump of Bash’s fist slamming against the door, the sound so annoying it makes my head pound more than it did before my nap.
I open the door in fuzzy slippers and the jean shorts and shirt I still have on from last night. Man, I feel like a dirtball. I sent Bash home to take a shower, and here I am with dried puke in the corner of my mouth and old clothes stuck to my skin from sweating in my sleep.
My hair is sticking up all over the place, mussed up from sleep. Not that I care. Impressing Bash is the last thing on my mind. Somehow, he doesn’t even look repulsed when he takes in the sight of me.
I yawn, stretching my hands over my head, and lean against the doorframe. “Hey…I thought you were taking a shower.”
He glances down at his clothes. We both have on our outfits from last night. “I packed a few things. I was planning to take one here if that’s okay.”
Moving to the side so that Bash can enter my suite, I hold out my hand and motion for him to come inside. “That’s fine. I still need to get one. My hair is all gross and is in desperate need of shampoo, but my head is spinning too much to stand up for long periods of time.”
Bash closes the door behind him and follows me into the room. “I can help you wash your hair if you want.”
I smile at his comment. That has to be one of the nicest things I’ve ever heard from his mouth. “I’m not sure how we’ll make that work without you seeing me naked. And…” I lose my train of thought just thinking about what we did before my nap. That kiss was everything.
“It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked, Tori. But I understand. You can wear a bathing suit or your underwear or whatever you want. Or you can do it yourself. Whatever you decide. I’ll be here if you need me.”
I scratch the back of my head, confused by the new side to Bash. I like this version. Where was he hiding all these years? It’s no wonder I allowed him to kiss me and take things a little too far before I got my shit together. He’s so unlike the person I used to know. This new side also makes me miss him. And I can’t miss or want Bash. We’re toxic together.
Once I get better, he will be back to his usual player self, hooking up with rich, beautiful girls like Harper. A few seconds pass before his eyes light with realization. “Let me help you, Tori. I know you don’t like me or want me around, but you need me.”
He’s right about that. My head still hurts, and with my stomach upset from having the spins most of the day, I could use someone to hold me up while I’m in the shower. Luckily, the apartment I share with Jessica has a private bathroom. While it’s on the small side, it does the trick. And we get to avoid using the disgusting shared bathrooms in Jefferson Hall.
“I’d like to get in now. Do you mind?”
“Nope, not at all.”
He grabs hold of my biceps and leads me to the bathroom. I stare at Bash in the mirror, a tiny smile tugging at the corner of my lips. He returns the gesture, unspeaking or blinking until I end the silence.
“Can you get the water ready? Not too hot, not too cold.”
He laughs. “Whatever you say, Queenie. Keep barking out those orders. I like it when you’re bossy. It’s a turn on.”
I slap my legs together when he tilts his head to the side and checks out my ass. Every time he stares at my bare legs in these booty-hugging shorts, he flashes a wicked grin.
I fold my arms over my chest and lean against the sink, watching as Bash adjusts the knobs to get the right temperature. After a minute of awkward sexual tension, Bash pulls his shirt over his head, making things even more uncomfortable.
“What are you doing?” I mutter, unable to take my eyes of his body.
He’s the hottest naked man I’ve ever seen. Well, he’s the only one I have had the pleasure of appraising in person, but that fact doesn’t make him any less attractive. I must have a legit concussion, in need of a doctor, because Bash’s chiseled arms and rock hard abs are doing things between my legs that I wish would stop.
“I’m getting in with you. How else do you think I will help you?” He unbuttons his jeans and slides them over his hips, making it hard for me to keep it together as I gawk at his body.
I bite down on my bottom lip when Bash moves in front of me and tugs at the bottom of my shirt. “Lift your arms,” he says.
Doing as he says, my heart beats out of my chest. He had my nipple in his mouth two hours ago. It’s not as if he hasn’t seen me naked. He took my virginity for Christ’s sake. Stripping me of my shirt, he throws it onto the floor and waits for me to give him the go ahead to help me out of my shorts. Any movements that require bending or looking down make me sick.
So, I nod, telling him to remove my shorts. And he does, staring up at me as he slides them to the floor. I kick them to the side, and then, step into the shower stall, tiled from floor to ceiling, feeling the water with my hand.