Dark Light (The Dark Light Series)(72)

Chapter Eighteen





Bright sunlight creeps through the dark curtains and caresses my sleepy eyelids, beckoning them to open. Reluctantly I oblige, knowing it’s earlier than I’m used to.

“Morning, Sleepyhead,” a silky deep voice greets me. Dorian.

I blink rapidly, remembering where I am and feeling intensely self-conscious. My eyes focus on his gorgeous smiling face looking down at me. He’s freshly groomed and dressed in a dark suit and tie.

“Oh shit, Dorian, what time is it?” I struggle to sit up, wrapping the sheet around my naked breasts. Every muscle in my body feels like lead and I haven’t gotten nearly enough sleep.

“7:30. I’ve got a meeting soon but I ordered you some breakfast. Go ahead and take your time and eat. Leave whenever you want.” Dorian leans down and kisses my forehead tenderly. He flashes me a crooked smile before walking out of the bedroom and exiting the suite.

Once alone, I scramble out of bed and head straight to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, I am showered and sitting down at the dining room table where Dorian has left silver covered platters of eggs, bacon, pancakes and sausage. I take some of each, realizing that I am famished after not finishing my steak dinner and receiving yet another workout from Dorian. I splatter syrup on all of it, thankful he isn’t here to be repulsed by my goopy breakfast. After I’ve sated my appetite, I grab my purse and head home.

I get to Briargate in record time, rushing to the bathroom to quickly brush my teeth and wash my face. My mom is right on my heels, no doubt looking for an explanation for my absence.

“Sorry, Mom, fell asleep at Morgan’s last night. I would have called but I really didn’t expect to sleep all the way until morning,” I lie. I hate lying but there’s no way I could tell her about Dorian. She surely would not approve in light of everything else going on in my life.

“Well, I’m glad you’re safe. Please don’t scare us like that!” she says, clutching her chest. I feel bad for worrying them but right now is not a good time to bring home a guy for them to meet. “What would you like for breakfast?”

“I already ate. I’m good,” I say, smattering on some mascara and lipgloss. I throw my hair back into a ponytail. This is all the primping I have time to achieve before my morning class starts.

Donna follows me into my room where I pull out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “Well, make sure you take your smoothie. I’ll put it in a travel cup for you.”

“Thanks, Mom!” I call out, as she turns to leave, closing my bedroom door behind her.

I change out of my skimpy undergarments, and put on something more practical before getting dressed. Then I step into my white sneakers and grab a hoodie before scampering to the kitchen for my smoothie. Chris has already left for work and I know I’m in for a stern look of disapproval this evening at dinner. Maybe I’ll eat at the mall to avoid the whole scene.

I pull up to the PPCC Rampart Range campus, and scramble out of my little Honda, walking briskly to my Art Appreciation class. It’s an easy enough class and honestly just an elective I chose for filler, but the instructor is overly strict about tardiness in her class. I walk in just as she’s closing the door and grab the first seat I see. Whew, that was close. I really don’t want to deal with her condescending attitude or the repercussions of my smart mouth.

After my mundane morning classes, I head out to the atrium to meet up with Jared. His handsome, smiling face instantly puts me at ease when I approach our usual café table. I feel the tension of quizzes, homework, and mid-term papers evaporate when in his presence.

“Hey there, Handsome. How was the rest of your weekend?” It’s amazing that things are this seamless even after the awkward kiss Saturday night. It seems like such a distant memory.

“It was cool. Hit the gym, played a little football with the guys. You?” Jared looks just as beautiful as always- dazzling green eyes, chestnut hair and bright pearly white teeth. He’s wearing a heather grey V-neck tee with a hoodie and jeans. Even in his plain, everyday clothes, he looks more like a model than a college sophomore.

“You know me, just hung out. I was pretty freaked out about Saturday but I’m fine now. Thanks for being there.”

Jared is most definitely the first part of my coping mechanism. He helps to soothe my anxiety, while Dorian distracts me enough to put it out of my head. I hate to admit it, but it really seems like I’m using them both. That’s because you are, asshole. Wow, some friend I am.

“Of course, don’t worry about it. Hell, I was freaked out for you.”