Chapter 6 STAY

CHLOE's POV

I pushed the door open to Mr. Gonzalez’s room and took my time to look around, taking in the trendy masculine area with cream walls and grey drapes, as well as a black leather couch off to the side.

I helped Mr. Gonzalez to get into his room and let him lay on his bed. I took a deep breath before I bent down on the ground and removed his shoes, leaving his white socks on. I pulled the sheets to cover him, and was going to leave when he reached out and grasped my hand. ‘‘Stay…’’

Confusion filled my eyes as I turned to face him.

‘‘You can sleep here beside me, Chloe…’’ he mumbled and my eyes widened. Why would I want to sleep next to him?

‘‘Uh…I’m going to stay but…I-I’ll sleep on the couch...’’ I replied, biting my lip in nervousness.

I waited for his response but he loosened his hold on my hand, and soon released it… and the next thing I knew was that he was already snoring aloud.

I shook my head as I strolled towards the black leather couch, just a few meters away from his bed. I took a glance at my boss’ sleeping form again before I lay on the couch and closed my eyes.

I tried all I could to sleep, but I couldn't figure out why I couldn't. I was thinking back on what had transpired earlier in the night. Easton had a breakdown and couldn't stop thinking about his wife. He loved her so much that he couldn't bear the thought of letting her go. But he had no choice but to do it, or Rosie would continue to hurt him over and over again.

Soon, my eyelids became heavy and just as I was about to fall into a deep slumber, I heard Easton whimpering. I jumped on my feet and dashed towards him.

‘‘Rosie…’’ he called out. ‘‘Rosie, please…’’ Easton's chest was heaving up and down, and he was sweating profusely despite the fact that his room was completely air-conditioned. He's having a dream about his ex-wife.

‘‘Sir…’’ I gave him a little shake on the shoulder. ‘‘Sir…you’re having a bad dream.’’

His eyelids flickered open, and his gaze suddenly locked with mine. ‘‘Rosie…?’’

‘‘No…I’m not---’’

He smiled, and before I could say anything, he grabbed me by the back of my neck and pressed his lips to mine.

Oh, no!

My eyes widened before I squeezed them shut. My senses erupted as I tasted his lips, which were a mixture of mint and whisky. I gasped, and he took advantage, sliding his tongue into my mouth, tasting, stroking, exploring. I was at a loss for what to do. Due to his intoxication and his perception of me as Rosie, I had to stop him.

My subconscious, on the other hand, was instructing me to kiss him back. Shit, no!

When Easton placed his hand on my breast and delicately palmed the soft flesh through the thin fabric of my dress, I became tensed and uncomfortable. I opened my eyes, and I realized that it was time to shove him away from me. To which I did.

He groaned, his eyes still closed as he went back to sleep. Oh, God! Why did I let my boss kiss me?!

I went back to the couch feeling so lost. I have to sleep now and leave early. The last thing I'd want is for Easton to see me when he wakes up in the morning.

…….….******……….

An hour later, I lay on the couch still wide awake, my mind playing back at the kiss I’d shared with my boss an hour ago. It still seemed surreal, still felt as though the kiss had just been a figment of my imagination—something my tired mind had conjured up.

The sound of Easton's snoring, on the other hand, confirmed that the events had taken place.

……….************…………

EASTON's POV

I winced as I felt a pounding headache in my head and the rays of the morning sunlight pouring through the windows did nothing to alleviate the pain.

‘‘Fuck!’’ I groaned as I sat up, holding my head with both of my hands. I don't remember how many glasses of whiskey I had last night. I tried to recall something but couldn't come up with anything. The last thing I remember is that I was on the verge of finishing the bottle of whisky in the restaurant when Chloe arrived and stopped me.

Chloe?

I blinked my eyes open and frowned as I realized I was sitting on my own bed in my own room. I'm not sure how I ended up here I pulled myself up, careful not to jolt my head too much. I looked around and my brows furrowed in confusion when I saw a woman in pink lying on my couch.

She’s here…

But what was she doing here in my room? Did I touch her? Did we have sex last night? Oh…fuck!

I lowered my feet to the ground and started to walk towards my sleeping assistant. The unsettling events last night came back in a rush, and I recalled how I broke down and asked Chloe to stay and sleep next to me. Shit! That was embarrassing. And I couldn’t recall the next thing that happened.

‘‘Chloe…’’ Her light brown hair was dangling in front of her face, so I bent down and brushed it away from her face. Then I paused in my tracks as I took in how gorgeous she looked in her sleep.

No… I couldn’t feel something on her. We’re friends. Partners…yeah, business partners. We both work at the same place, and I don't want us to cause gossip in the office. Besides, I’m still married.

‘‘Chloe…’’ I rubbed my hand on her arm gently and I sighed when I felt how smooth her skin was. Shit! I shouldn’t be touching her. It sent a tingle sensation in me. But how was I supposed to wake her up if I wasn’t going to touch her?

How about flicking her forehead? No… It might hurt her.

Blowing her face? But I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.

How about tickling her feet? Hmm…

I rose up to move to her feet and that’s when she opened her eyes, which widened as she noticed me standing in front of her.

I cleared my throat and straightened my back. I turned my face to a serious expression with my hands resting on my hips. She pushed herself up and used her hands to fix her clothing and hair back into place. ‘‘G-good morning, Sir...’’

‘‘Good morning, Chloe...’’ I said as I returned to my bed and sat down in front of her, my brows furrowed seriously. ‘‘Tell me, Miss Bell…nothing happened to us last night, right?’’ I had to get serious and asked her straight to the point.

‘‘What?’’

‘‘I didn’t touch you…I didn’t kiss you---we haven’t had sex last night, right?’’ I panicked a little when her mouth partly opened in shock, her eyes moved sideward as if she was searching for an answer. Afterward, she made a shaky motion with her head. Thank God!

‘‘We...’’ she began, pausing for a second before breaking into a laugh, much to my astonishment. ‘‘Of course, we didn't do that! Just how could you possibly consider something like that? I mean, you were too drunk to the point where you couldn't even walk into your own room? No, absolutely nothing...never!’’

‘‘Are you sure?’’ I asked, raising a brow at her. ‘‘We can talk about it and---“

‘‘I’m sure!’’ she exclaimed, cutting me off.

‘‘You’re well aware that I am completely out of my mind when I'm drunk, so if anything went wrong, I really apologize Miss Bell...’’

‘‘Trust me, Sir…Nothing happened.’’ She stated with her eyes fixed on her hand that was playing on the hem of her dress.

I breathed a sigh of relief, but my lips pursed as I locked my gaze on her when she looked up. Even though it appeared as if she was concealing something from me, she couldn't possibly be lying to me, right? I trusted her because she’s a good-hearted woman with a good reputation.

‘‘Okay…In any case, Miss Bell, thank you very much for driving me home last night...’’ I got to my feet. ‘‘Would you be willing to wait for me outside? It will only take a few minutes for me to get dressed for work, after which I will bring you home so that you can change your clothes as well.’’

‘‘Sure…’’ She nodded, her gaze lowered as she stepped out of my room. I heaved a heavy sigh as I walked to my bathroom to take a shower and get ready for work.