willowswriting

[willowswriting]

Given any other circumstance that voice in Benji's head would have been correct. Louis wasn't the type of guy that anyone should hold trust in... not unless they were looking for a let down. He was constantly fucking people over and screwing up their lives, even in moments that he didn't necessarily mean to. However as far as allegiance went Louis wasn't loyal to anyone besides those who shared the same blood as him... well at least those who were still around to bleed it. Everyone else had sort of just become pawns in his game of life. However with Benji, knowing the information that he knew now he did feel a sort of loyalty to him. A need to dig him out of the grave that he had dug himself. The reason was largely do to the fact that he could see a sliver of himself now every time he looked into those eyes. Or at least a version of himself, the version that had once been to small and afraid to fight back.

The very first thing that Louis did before entering the home was slip off his shoes, leaving them outside behind a potted plant. Benji's prints could be explained away simply because he lived here but Louis? He had never stepped foot in the bosses home so his would be harder to explain if pissed off jockeys came sniffing around. He would need to remember to have Benji walk over his steps on the way back to the car so they didn't stand out. He allowed Benji to hold onto his hand as the man led him throughout the mansion. The place huge and elegantly decorated. If he had entered the home on other circumstances he might have taken a moment to rival in the gaudiness of it all. Perhaps a knickknack or two might have even made their way into his coat pocket, not today however. He didn't need any of this getting traced back to him. He quite liked Benji, enjoyed the other mans company but he would not take the fall for him if it came down to it... simply couldn't leave Izzy to fend for herself like she had all those years before the pair had reunited. Louis simply nodded at the males warning about the mess that he had made in the kitchen, where the initial incident had happened "I'll be alright, I'm sure that it isn't anything that I haven't already seen." He assured him before entering the scene of the crime. Louis eyes flicked around the mess before them. Already analyzing every possible detail that could lead back to Benji. "First things first I'm going to need some gloves."

There was this small voice in the back of his mind that kept reminding him not to trust Louis too much. No one ever deserved Benji's trust because they had betrayed him in favor of his father. Sometimes the young man even believed Richard when he said that Benji was a waste of time and space. But right now he was too desperate to distrust Louis, knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to do it alone. The warm hand on his leg caused him to turn his head to the side as he placed his own hand on top of the other. It was just a simple touch, but it eased Benji's mind for the rest of the ride. Mentally, he made a note to get into the security system's records and erase any movements of the gates and whatnot. Once the engine was off, Benji got out of the car, walked over to Louis' side and wrapped his hand around the other's.

❝I am sure. It's okay. I can do it. Also, I need my equipment. Deleting the movement records of the gate and all that stuff.❞ With those words, Benji led Louis around the mansion, away from the main entrance. It was a huge multi-story building in a secluded area. The backyard was twice the size of the building itself and the pool area was over the top with a much too large pool, Jacuzzi and a second smaller building that was the size of a normal house. Benji led Louis to the spacious patio that faced a glass front. The sliding door had been moved slightly to the side, leaving a gap open. Only then did Benji let go of Louis' hand and slip into the living room. Benji walked slowly through the living room without touching any of the expensive white Persian rugs. They were able to clean the wooden floor more quickly. After a few steps, they reached the spacious entrance hall. A marbled staircase led to the upper floors. Benji pointed to another hallway on the other side. ❝There is the dining room, and from there it leads to the kitchen. In the kitchen there's a way down to the basement.❞ He looked back at Louis. ❝Please don't be alarmed. I think the kitchen is... a mess.❞ A mess of blood, dishes, and food.

[willowswriting]

"I'm sure she's a peach." Louis agreed with a small shake of his head "To bad for me I'll probably never know." He sighed as if saddened by that knowledge. Really he had no interest in small talk unless there was something in it for him in the end and Karen didn't seem like she had very much to offer him. Louis tipped his head, raising his own glass towards the women at her comeback to him questioning if she was a Rhodes or not "You got me on that one." he grinned, clinking their glasses together once the women hadn't made a move to do so... he refused to be left hanging with his glass in the air. He took a sip of his rum, relishing in the burn that accompanied the amber liquid in his throat. His eyes shifted to the women across the room, the women that Wren was not so suddenly looking to. "Partner in crime?" He questioned with a quirk of an eyebrow.

"karen is actually quite lovely, if you give her a chance and let her prattle on about her dogs for several hours at a time." eyes scan the room as she takes the drink given to her by the bartender, shooting him a little wink before lifting it to her lips to take a sip. the place is still crawling, too many people, too much of the fake smiles and the boring conversation. she can see her sister somewhere off in the back, chatting with one of those business clients she's always going on about needing to make a good impression with. leaving her the company was a terrible idea their parents had, but willow never was one to question the will of a couple of boring old bats. and she does most of the backend work anyway, letting her sister be the face. "would it matter to you either way? it's a free drink for you even if i'm not." though she is. no reason he needs to know that. most of the people here know her sister. eventually she'll be found out.

[willowswriting]

"I will" Wren agreed, a smile splitting her lips at the mans request. She couldn't remember the last time that somebody outside of her immediate friend group had wanted to know that she made it to her destination safely. It was refreshing to know that she had someone who cared about her safety even if they hadn't known each other for that long. Although Elio gave off the impression that he would care for a complete stranger on the side of the road. Once the man showed her out, closing the door behind her she took a moment, leaning against his outside wall with a smile so wide her cheeks burned slightly from the stretch. Once she gathered herself she pushed off the wall and headed towards the bus station. If she had it her way she would definitely be seeing Elio again.

"Okay then, no problem. Just wanted to make sure you got home safe. You'll text me, right?" He asked, biting his lip. He didn't want to seem overprotective but he worried. The public transport was actually really good but Elio was a natural at catastrophizing. But Wren had a way of easing that, making him laugh and forget. He could just be a person with her, no baggage. "Yeah exactly. I love that old Chinese food container, it's my favorite one. But thanks, It means a lot that you had a good time. That I showed you a good time.: Elio said, following her to the door. His hand reached out to grab her before she walked out the door, planting his own kiss on her cheek. "Alright. Get home safe Wren. Talk to you soon." Then he waved and quietly closed the door.

[willowswriting]

She was lying. It was easy for Vincent to pick out simply from the tone of the women's voice. However he didn't comment on it. It would be so much easier if he ignored it, making a mental note not to cross that line again if this was how Skye was going to react every time. His eyes shot down to the poor red solo cup begging to be spared within her grasp. "You're looking a bit empty... let me grab you another." He spoke, fingers brushing against her own as he removed the cup from her death grip. He'd have to grab her a fresh one because the structural integrity of this ones had definitely been compromised "Are you drinking beer or a mixer?" He questioned. An onlooker might think he was doing something kind but really he just wanted to take five minutes to himself to process the fact that one of his life long friendships might have just been royally fucked because he couldn't keep his dick in his pants.

"  𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐡  𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥  𝐲𝐨𝐮  𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭  𝐬𝐚𝐲  𝐢𝐭  wasn't  one  either  ."  in  her  mind  it  was  a  fair  assumption  ,  grip  tightening  on  the  flimsy  cup  ,  cheap  and  brittle  as  her  excuses  ,  until  it  whimpered  under  her  grip—a  sharp,  plastic  whine  .  his  gaze  was  heavy  ,  probing  ,  burning  into  her  ,  but  she  refused  to  meet  it.  instead,  she  stared  at  the  smudge  of  her  lipstick  on  the  cup’s  rim,  cherry-red  and  cracked.  a  perfect  metaphor  for  whatever  this  was  .   “  into  you  ?  don’t  flatter  yourself.  you  were  a  warm  body  on  a  cold  night  .  convenient  .  " lie  tasted  bitter,  but  she  let  it  rot  between  them  .

[willowswriting]

Lucian followed the women into her apartment. Eyes drifting over the women's figure as he did. He noticed the slight sway of her hips. He had watched her enough times to know that it wasn't a natural sway like some women had when they walked. No she was purposely swinging those hips, not that he was about to start complaining. Cecilia was a beautiful women. It still blew Lucian's mind that Mully had managed to nearly tie her down instead of her going for one of the better looking guys in the club. "What do you have to be worried about?" Lucian raised an eyebrow. His curiosity was peaked. What was she running from and was it the same reason that Mully had managed to secure himself a spot in her bed. "Beer is fine." he nodded. If he still planned on leaving at some point in the night anything stronger might prevent him from from getting back onto his bike.

Cecilia had always loved being on the back of a bike, the way the wind was the only thing that could be heard, how it almost hurt at time. She wished Lucian would go faster but she understood why he was being careful. Because she knew he could go faster than that, had seen all of them ride at one time or the other. "Thanks," she said as she took his hand, letting hers linger a moment too long in his. Seeing him off the bike, she knew he was coming in for that drink and she lead the way without looking behind, swinging her hips a little more than she normally would. "If that's the case, why wouldn't he tell me about it? He knows I'm worried." There was a slight shiver that ran over her as she spoke. She knew that Mully could ask someone to come around when she was alone, to make sure everything was okay but this wasn't that, she was sure of it. "Beer or something stronger?"

[willowswriting]

Josephine shot daggers at the man. She held little meaning behind her gaze but it was more to show him that she wasn't entirely impressed with him calling her out, even if he was right. "You know that I was born to meddle H." Josephine sighed. However she didn't argue further, instead taking a seat, kicking her feet up on the chair beside her. "I'll stay here." She finally promised the male, running her hand over her face. She figured the least she could do was relieve the stress and worry of her own safety while he was out playing the hero. Although she was sure that he would assign a tail on her if she did decide to leave at all throughout the night.

𝐡𝐞  𝐡𝐚𝐝  𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬  𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧  𝐚𝐧  𝐚𝐧𝐲  𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬  necessary  type  of  guy  .  the  tougher  the  situation  ,  the  dirtier  his  hands  got  ...  he  wasn't  always  proud  of  his methods  , but the ends justified the means in a cold cruel world neither of this asked for .  "  well  seeing  ,  as  i  have  to  go  clean  up  the  mess  you  made  ,  it  seems  like  you  need  a  little  babysitting  .  "  a  pointed  look  ,  with  blue  eyes  ,  and  a  shake  of  his  head  still  punching  out  a  text  message  on  his  phone .  words dripped with a teasing edge , but beneath the bravado lay a current of protectiveness that he couldn't quite suppress . "  you're  safe  here.  no  one's  going  to  find  you  ,  if  you  do  as  i  say  ,  and  stop  meddling  every  two  seconds . "

[willowswriting]

Louis couldn't help the satisfied grin that graced his lips. The women standing in front of him was flustered. It was a common look that he saw on women, especially when it came to him. It always managed to give a little extra boost because girls who got flustered this easily were usually easy pickings. "Let me guess it's your first time?" He questioned, even though was already written all over the strangers face.

This was not her plan at all. Not what she was expecting in the slightest as she stood there before this man. ❝ What? Yes, I mean no. No I'm not lost. ❞ She stated as she felt herself flustered. ❝ It's my friends birthday and... you don't need my life story why I'm here. ❞ She commented but was loud enough for him to hear her speaking playing with her sleeves.

[willowswriting]

"I never said that it was your fault Killian." Josephine spoke. keeping her voice level. She didn't want to make a scene, not here in a crowded restaurant where she had planned on having dinner with the new guy she had been talking to, the relationship wasn't anything series by any means but she enjoyed the other males company. He had filled the void Killian had left. "But come on how was I supposed to know that you actually meant it this time?" She questions. The man promising her that he would try harder, do better in the future had been a common promise in their relationship, one that he always came up short on. Don't get her wrong she did care for Killian. The last thing that she would ever want to do was intentionally hurt him.

Turning away from her to collect himself from his emotions so they didn't get out of hand, he turned back to face her as he shook his head. Yes, he had problems. He messed up things a lot and he was a little bit of a trouble maker. ❝ So this is my fault? Because I stopped trying to contact you? You were the one that wanted this break in the first place because I needed to work on myself. Congratulations, I worked on myself and haven't heard from you since. ❞ Was he pissed? Of course. A woman who he really cared about, possibly even loved just turned her back on him.

[willowswriting]

Wren couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips at Elio's offers. "There's a bus stop about ten minutes away from your apartment and it'll drop me off practically on my doorstep." She informed him, letting him know that that was how she planned on getting home. Had it been anyone else she might have been a little embarrassed about her knowledge of the bus schedule but with Elio she felt like she could simply be herself. No need to hide that she wasn't living a life of luxury in the city, not that she really believed he had thought differently with having met her during her shift at the cafe. She followed him into the kitchen and graciously accepting the container of leftovers. "Well I'll have to see you again, how else would I return your container?" She asked. Her cheeks heated at the males compliments. "But no seriously I would like to hang out again." she smiled, allowing herself to be vulnerable for a moment. "I enjoyed getting to know you and I think that you're incredibly smart and a gentleman." She smiled "Not to mention a wicked good cook." she smiled. She wanted to stay, didn't want to cut the night short and miss out on getting to know him more. Still she set the container down, slipped on her shoes and headed towards his front door. She turned around for a moment before reaching for the handle, placing a soft kiss to Elio's cheek.

"Yeah, a decathlon. It's 10 different sports or activities. They do it in the Olympics. It's crazy honestly." Elio explained, a laugh bubbling up. Then he sighed and got up from the couch. "I understand though I'll be honest and say I don't like it. I wish you could stay longer but I'm sure you have stuff you need to do. Do you want me to call you a car? There's a subway station down the block too. I don't know which you do." He said, walking into the kitchen. "Let me pack up some leftovers for you too. I can't eat all of this by myself. And now you'll have lunch tomorrow and think of me." Elio added, grabbing one of the many precariously packed tupperware containers and filling it with extra food for her. "Um here. I had a really nice time tonight. Thanks for saying yes. I think you're so beautiful and funny and smart. I'd like to see you again if you're free."

[willowswriting]

Vivian couldn't help the chuckle and accompanying eyeroll at the mans words. "You know you could just congratulate me." Vivian spoke. If there was one thing anyone knew about Vivian it was that she was the girl who fell head over heals for any man who looked in her direction for more than a minute. She was already planning weddings before the wine was served, however things never made it much further than a week or so. Rowan should know better than to take her swooning to heart "And you aren't aloud to start searching for someone new until I'm walking down the aisle." She spoke pointing at him.

open to: w / nb

muse: rowan meier. twenty five. trust fund kid.

plot: found in source.

“sounds like things are getting… serious. do i have to find someone new for that marriage pact?”

[willowswriting]

As if losing his high stakes fight hadn't been bad enough here he was now covered in some overly fruity drink that was sure to leave a sticky residue even after he removed his clothes. "Maybe watch your fucking st-" Louis' words trailed off the moment his dark hues met hers. His once white shirt now decorated in splotches of light red, which on this fabric was giving more of a pink hue than anything else. "It's crowded.. and dark." He spoke, his tone now taking on an entirely knew tone than he had previously held.

open to: m / w / nb

muse: aster caldera. twenty two. bartender at an exclusive club / aspiring author.

plot: found in source.

“oh, i’m so sor-” speech trailed off as she looked up and her eyes found the one person she always and never wanted to see. friends had told her they wouldn’t here, running straight into them wasn’t something she thought she’d have to worry about. "sorry, i didn’t see you there.“

[willowswriting]

The way Cecilia situated herself behind him, arms wrapping around his waist as her thighs pressed tight against his legs. He'd take it slow, not sure how fast Mully went when the women was on the back of his bike but he wasn't about to risk her falling off the back of his. Both for safety and his own. The ride was quite, not that they could have carried on a conversation with the wind whipping past them. He wasn't going to accept the offer of a drink at first but than thought better of it. He could go for a beer and the way the women spoke her next sentence gave him the feeling that she didn't want to be alone. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." He admitted. He stood from the bike, putting out a hand to help the women back to her feet. "It wouldn't be unusual for Mully to ask one of the guys to keep an eye on you while he's away." He shrugged

She didn't like being alone, had never been able to really stand it. People called her the life of the party and a social butterflies but only because it was the only way she knew how to be, how to navigate the emptiness she so often felt. Tonight was no different and Cecilia had come by to see if Mully was there but of course, he wasn't. Lucian proposing a ride home was a relief. "You know the way," she said as she wrapped her arms around Lucian. "I don't think he'll be back tonight." Her words were said as she bit her lower lip. The invitation for Lucian to come in for a drink was both a way to thank him for the ride and a way to avoid the empty place. "I feel like someone has been standing outside the place for the last few nights." It wasn't even a lie, Lia had seen someone outside, the same personj, for the past few nights. She had talked about it with Mully but he wasn't very bothered by it.

[willowswriting]

"Perhaps you're just lucky." Louis countered when the women started to question the convenience of this interaction. It was a much better reply than admitting that he had noticed her coming home relatively late the past few days and had consciously decided that his in to conversing with his neighbor once again was to bribe her with hot cheesy goodness. He also wasn't going to mention that there was not another box of pizza waiting for him to return back to his own apartment. He invited himself into the women's apartment, setting the box onto Yasemin's counter "I hope that you're a fan of extra cheese." He spoke.

He rolled his eyes when she informed him that Kathy was actually quite nice and that she must just not like him. "I've never had luck with the older generation." He admitted. It probably didn't help that if you spotted him walking down the street he looked more the type to snag your purse than help defend you from the perpetrator. "I'm sure that you can't relate. Every generation probably just adores you." He assumed. "Pets too."

Yasemin had barely gotten through the door after rehearsal before the knocking started. She sighed, tugging her sweatshirt sleeves down over her hands as she shuffled toward it, exhaustion weighing on her limbs. The last thing she expected was him standing there, grinning like he had all the time in the world, a pizza box in hand. Her brows lifted, lips parting slightly before she even processed what he was saying. Of course he had an excuse to show up. Of course he had a ridiculous story to go with it. She eyed him for a moment, crossing her arms loosely as she leaned against the doorframe.

“You have an awfully convenient habit of ending up at my door,” she mused, though the amusement in her voice betrayed her attempt at being skeptical. “What are the odds you just happened to have an extra pizza and happened to think of me?” She glanced at the box, then back at him, lips twitching as she fought back a small smile. “I’m not saying I believe you, but I do like pizza... and I am too tired to cook... so I guess I’ll allow it. But also Kathy isn't grouchy, that might just be a you thing.” She teased as she held back a laugh.

[willowswriting]

Wren couldn't help the eyeroll that immediately followed Xavier's words. In her defense she hadn't even realized that she had even done it. Should she thank him? He had saved her ass that night but in hindsight it had simply snowballed a much more unpleasant fate for her. Had she been caught that night her little fling would have been over and she wouldn't be here now under intense scrutiny of the women married to her lover. Even worse she now had to act like she was in love, or in the least bit interested in, the spawn of Satan himself.

Wren hated the way Xavier spoke. As if he was giving her permission, because without she would simply be a bundle of nerves on the verge of a breakdown. He might have held the majority of control in their situation but she wasn't about to hang on every word, every demand that he attempted to throw her way. "I planned on it." She assured him. Despite the shitty situation that she had been thrown into this was the first time in all of her life that she had been handed anything and a tropical vacation where she wasn't busting her ass simply to make ends meet wasn't something that she was going to allow Xavier to ruin for her. Wren couldn't help the auditable laugh that left her lips at the mans declaration. "You don't own me." Wren corrected him, holding his stare without wavering for even a moment.

"Out there." she pointed to the door of their closed bedroom "I will swoon over you like every other girl whose ever wanted you for your last name has." she promised him "I will be by far the best girlfriend that you've had." Pretending came easy to her, it had become second nature at this point because she had been doing it her entire life. "Now if you don't mind I'm going to shower before dinner." She spoke, shimmying out of her jeans with him standing right there. She didn't care, growing up in group home after group home has dulled any sense of embarrassment. "Feel free to tag along to give me the cliff notes of your life, I'm sure your mother will pry over the meal." She spoke, ditching the shirt she had been wearing moments ago on her way to the en suite.

At her mocking little declaration, Xavier let out a low, indulgent laugh. She was sharp, he’d give her that. A little too sharp, a little too quick with her words, as if she thought she had any real power in this game. He liked confidence, but he liked control more. "That’s a tempting offer, Wren, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves." His smirk widened, dying to push her buttons. He wondered how long it would take. "You haven’t even thanked me properly yet," he added as he took a step back to further the distance between them, feigning nonchalance.

In truth, Wren's presence here complicated things more than he was willing to admit. His mother was already keen on getting to know his supposed 'girlfriend,' and Xavier, for all his reckless tendencies, had walked himself into a situation where he had to maintain the lie. His mother might have been the perfect hostess, but she wasn't stupid—one wrong move, and she'd see right through them. "But seriously, you can relax; stay awhile," he assured, leaning on the dresser nearby. His arms crossed over his broad chest, the muscles subtly tensing beneath his shirt. "I'm not here to make your life harder. In fact, I might just make it easier—if you play nice." He tilted his head, dark eyes locking onto hers. "You don't like me," he acknowledged, trying to assess her expressions with a focused gaze. "That's fine. But you do need me. Which means, for now.. you're mine," he asserted with an air of entitlement. In turning his own bitterness into leverage, he found solace amid the chaos—an unexpected silver lining that allowed him to navigate the tangled web of lies they had woven.

"So, if we’re going to keep up appearances, you’re going to have to do a whole lot better." Much better, he was surprised they've even made it this far without detection. "Try acting like a girlfriend instead of a woman scorned, and maybe we’ll both get something out of this."

[willowswriting]

Nadia couldn't help the smile that spread to her lips. It was a real genuine smile one that Kenzo was a master at extracting from her even at her lowest. "You know some of those casseroles are pretty damn good." She defended as she followed him out of the bathroom, finally allowing the line of men to enter to relive themselves. She hadn't cared that she had been the reason a few of them had nearly pissed themselves. She smiled, glad that Kenzo had left the call up to her "Get me the hell out of here." She spoke, interlocking their arms together before she headed for the exit. She had a few different things that she was meant to finish up but right now the last thing she wanted to do was go back into that room and discuss business. She would simply shoot her assistant a text and let them know that she had come down with something and needed to leave with no notice. Her assistant was more than capable of handling the business side of things and a day out on the town with Kenzo was exactly what she needed at this point in time.

Eyelids hung low as he flashed a narrow eyed look her way. At this point, Kenzo was hearing her, just not completely listening. ❝Oh yeah, I could make it into a package deal. Maybe they can trade me some of their smoothie weight loss regimens. Or they can give me their best casserole recipes— whichever comes first!❞ The sarcasm (with some suggestive hints) heavily saturated his tone when he lifted his head, a roll of the eyes coolly done as he made for the exit. Finally removing them from that unusual setting, Kenzo had only one thing in mind: nourishment. Whether it was going to be back in the room in the west hallway where catering was set up or outside and away from this event, he left it up to Nadia. ❝Okay, I'm down to leave and get better food, but if you still have stuff to do here then we can stay. What's your call?❞

[willowswriting]

"I am not messy!" Bruno challenged shaking his head "I am but a human with my own feelings." He chuckled softly. "And trust me I form plenty opinions on my patients I'm just a nice enough guy to keep those opinions to myself unless they ask me for it." he informed her. He leaned back into a relaxed position once more. "I mean come on I'm sure that you deal with your fair share of stories between student, their parents and your staff." he questioned. Challenging her to share a story of her own. Bruno had always been a fan of being an onlooker when it came to drama. Perhaps it was his own secret guilty pleasure. One that he would probably never admit out loud to anyone, especially in his profession.

She had to commend him for that: dealing with people who were at war with themselves mentally or with trauma sounded like a daunting challenge. Hell, if you put her profession as a principal up to comparison, she'd have the cake walk every time. She supposed that was why she didn't go through with becoming a guidance counselor- her advice sucked! ❝Oh honey, if I could only be a fly on the wall, trust me I would. I'd be more invested than I am with reality television.❞ Bruno leaned in to share a piece of his experience and Hilda did the same, tucking her hair behind her ear for a clearer transmission. Laughter erupts from her as she brings a hand up to her lips, playfully nudging his arm before taking it in her grasp to shake him as she rocked back and forth in tandem. ❝There's no fucking way, Bruno. Oh my God. And who knew you could be so messy?❞ She waved a finger in his direction, as if to nod approvingly with it. ❝Yeah, let's keep this.❞

[willowswriting]

"Oh trust me they are." Wren reassured the male as she pushed off from where she had been leaning against the desk conversing with Elias' front desk attendant. She couldn't help but wonder if many people stopped to converse with the man about something that didn't pertain to his job duties. She was sure that many people who lived in this building treated him like he was just another decoration like the artwork hanging on the otherwise way to bright white walls.

Once in the elevator she turned to Elias "What you aren't going to blindfold me before you key in your floor number?" She questioned with fake disappointment on her face. "Sorta defeats the whole not wanting me to know your apartment number. She wouldn't give it out to anyone anyways and she was sure that Elias knew her enough to know that was the case or he probably wouldn't have invited her over in the first place. She couldn't help but think for a moment what he did when he invited women back to his place for the night. Did he blind fold them? Did they even get the luxury of coming back to his place or did they always go back to theirs? Or perhaps a hotel room?

Elias had just finished his post-practice shower, pulling a shirt over his head when his phone buzzed. Still towel-drying his damp hair, he answered without checking the caller ID. “This is Elias.” The front desk attendant informed him that a Miss Wren was downstairs, waiting to come up. A grin immediately tugged at the corner of his lips. He hadn’t really expected her to call—but he definitely wasn’t complaining.

“Yeah, I’ve been expecting her,” he said easily, running a hand through his still-wet hair. “Give me two minutes, and I’ll be down to bring her up.” He hung up, tossing the towel aside before grabbing his keys and heading for the elevator.

When Elias stepped out of the elevator and spotted her waiting near the front desk, he leaned against the doorway with an easy grin. “Figured I should come get you personally—didn’t want you charming the front desk guy into giving out my apartment number.” He nodded toward the elevators. “C’mon. Let’s see if your beer critiques are as sharp as your latte art insults.”