Allegra.
Downing one shot of vodka, then another, I decided to drink my way through this damn phone call. Apparently, I had decided to discuss things with Layla. When had I decided that? I wasn’t sure, I was about four shots deep right now.
Spinning the phone in my hand, I let out a sigh, grumbling in annoyance. Music pounded in my ears, which I bobbed my head to. I twirled my hands, rotating my wrists as I leaned back on my couch and let out a laugh. F*ck.
What situation was I in right now? Love-struck and making bad decisions? That was right. I had the damn mob off now, so that was a relief. Neal ca through, just as I thought he would. Now he couldn’t know about what I was contemplating.
If anyone huffed and puffed at for thinking of calling Layla back, I’d lose my mind. Though, most phone calls that ca through right now were from my boss or coworkers, congratulating once again on my stunning performance.
Whatever. I grabbed my phone and dialed Layla, throwing caution to the wind. Ring.... Ring... “Hello?” Layla said on the other end of the line, her breath catching. God, the sound of her voice sent shivers down my spine. I ran my tongue over my lips.
I was about to make a bad decision now wasn’t I?
“Hey. You wanted to talk?” I said, my voice slurring a bit. There was a pause on the other line, then a gasp.
“Yes. You’re calling back, Allegra? I really am sorry. I ant it when I said ‘take back.’ I really need you,” Layla whined a bit pathetically. Problem was, I believed her. I let out a sigh and took another shot before slamming the glass onto my table.
“I get it,” I said, my voice a bit warr than I probably wanted it to be. “Let’s et and discuss the situation. Alright? Mob’s taken care of. Your friends are all dead. Hope that’s not going to be a problem, Layla.”
“No, not at all,” she squeaked, sounding terrified for a second before taking a deep breath. “It was ant to happen, after their lies and what they did to you. I didn’t know–I just–... no. Not a problem,” she repeated.
“Good,” I said, my tone a bit husky. “Tomorrow, then. Co back to my house. We’ll see if we can work things back. No guarantees, Layla. Understand? I said. “That doesn’t an you’re going to end up in my arms.”
“Thank you for hearing out, Allegra,” Layla said, probably close to tears. “I saw your show on TV. You were beautiful and took my breath away. Everything about you was goddess-like,” she said, adoration dripping in her words.
My heart may have fluttered just a little at her words, and I narrowed my eyes. Licking my lips again, I said, “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Another shot. Then another. I lost count, and everything was swirling around . I was on top of the world.
Eventually, I needed to pour myself several glasses of water and head to bed so that I wouldn’t be hung over tomorrow. Rather, just tired. I didn’t want to make a bad decision and text Layla how much I wanted her right now.
We’d work that out tomorrow. IF, in fact, I deed it was worth taking her back. My stomach clenched as I realized I was already making my decision. Nope, needed to wait until I was sober again.
I slept well that night. I definitely wasn’t hugging the pillow and imagining that it was Layla; that would be silly. If I was, no one would ever know. Eventually, sunlight broke through my curtains, causing to groan softly.
This was it. I rolled out of bed, rcifully spared a hangover despite the shots I had taken last night. That ant I could take more shots tonight if everything went wrong. Or, if everything went right. Either way was tantalizing.
I went to the shower and quickly got myself prettied up. I texted Layla a good ti fra to co et here. Lunchti. I may as well prepare sothing. After a few hours of mucking about, I did just that.
A simple al of fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and broccoli would be fitting. Comfort food, really, which I imagined was what both of us needed. At the knock on my door, I sighed and hung my head a mont.
I’d need to face this head-on and not run from it. I really wanted Layla back, but I couldn’t cave so easily. Not after she worked with those bastards. Still, she was here for a chance, and I needed to also consider that my feelings may be valid, too.
That was, that taking her back was a good decision, of course. I walked over to the front door and opened it, my eyes fixing upon Layla. She had flowers in her grasp, and she t my eyes with a tearful stare of her own.
At the mont, she was in a dress that hugged her figure, her makeup touched up to perfection. Her hair flowed down her back in a beautiful manner, causing to subconsciously lick my lips and imagine them against hers.
‘Don’t flirt, don’t flirt,’ I told myself.
“You look gorgeous, Layla,” I purred. Sh*t. It was too early to cave. Matters were made harder when the lovely woman started to blush. This was going to be rough. Tension crackled in the air as I invited her inside and told her to sit down.
I set her up a plate, placing it in front of her and sitting across from her. “Please don’t tell ,” I said, “that I’m inviting a vampire into my household that will take advantage of the situation, Layla. As sexy as that would be, granted, I just went through hell, as you very well know.”
Layla was staring at her hands and nodded, gulping. She drank several sips of the water I’d provided her before finally inhaling and eting my gaze again. This ti, she didn’t break her stare, causing to raise a brow.
“Wouldn’t you like to be?” Layla said, cracking a smile that t her eyes. She was breaking through her nervous deanor. She grew serious and swallowed. “They lied to . They took advantage of how docile I can be, Allegra. I was so gullible. I should have seen the signs.”
“You should have,” I said, my tone sowhat bitter. My lip twitched a bit in disapproval at her words. She always had been so innocent, but it’d been for a good cause. Looking into her eyes, right now, I began to understand this whole misunderstanding was the end result of that.
Layla nodded, nervous again, but holding her ground. “I f*cked up badly. I don’t deserve forgiveness, but here I am begging for it. Allegra, I’ll do anything.”
“Anything?”
“You know what I an,” she said, studying my expression. I cracked a devilish smile for just one mont before letting out a sigh, reaching up to rub at my forehead in thought. What else could I get her to say? She clearly regretted what she’d done.
“If you thought Becca was so bad, why didn’t you warn ?” I asked in exasperation, wanting to know that much, at least.
“I didn’t think you’d believe ,” she muttered, rubbing her arm. “I should have just trusted you,” Layla added, causing to nod.
“Yeah,” I growled. “You should have.” Then, I sighed, my shoulders slumping. “We both know I’m going to cave, but Layla, you need to know how much you hurt . I am keeping in mind you were honest with in the end, at least, which was brave. You knew you’d likely lose .”
“That’s why I had to tell you at the exact mont I realized I f*cked up,” Layla replied in a low tone, tears streaming down her cheeks again. “I knew I didn’t deserve you, and I didn’t want to lose you, but it was the right thing to do. I couldn’t live on a lie.”
“Glad to hear that, at least,” I snorted. My gaze softened, and I closed my eyes for a mont before refocusing. “Anyway, like I said, we both knew I would give in. I hope you’re not taking advantage of my love right now, Layla.”
“I’m not,” Layla said firmly. She got up from the table and circled around to stare down, resting her hand on the table. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen, but more than that, you’re intelligent, strong–” she began.
I didn’t give her a chance to finish. I stood up, grabbing the collar of her shirt. I tilted my head and planted my lips against hers, giving her a very deep kiss. My eyes were shut as I drank in all of her. The chemistry crackled between us, and my heart pounded.
Her lips were so soft, so delicious. The sll of her perfu, floral, delicate, told she deserved to be a princess. To have doves released on her wedding day, to be carried bridal style by , the whole nine yards.
I still loved her, and she very much loved . Layla deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around and parting mine with her tongue. Our bodies fit together perfectly as if fate itself decided we were ant to be together.
Sadly, the kiss had to end. Unfortunately, both of us needed to breathe. Layla gasped out, her cheeks a deep red. She stared into my eyes, licking her lips and giving a smile of sheer adoration that made feel like she worshipped the very ground I walked on.
Funny, that was the case from to her. I smiled at her, then reached up to cup her cheek. “I think you have my answer. There’s vodka in the fridge. Let’s spend the night together. Let treat you. You must be stressed–”
“No,” Layla said softly, causing to raise a brow. “Let treat you, Allegra. You deserve it. And not just because I put you through hell emotionally. You deserve it because you’re you.”
My smile widened, and I nodded, letting out a sigh of contentnt. I hoped this wasn’t so dream. I hoped I wouldn’t regret this later. But right here, right now? Layla was mine again. My modeling career was on track, and I was going to be top in the industry again in no ti.
Tonight, and my fate, was sealed with a kiss; a very intense one, at that.
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