Page 31 of Property of Yak

“It’s creepy,” I point out.

He scoffs. “Please, we both know you don’t mind.”

“Good morning,” I say, changing the subject as I open my eyes.

“Morning.” He smirks.

Yak is sitting on my bed, his back against my headboard, in a different shirt than he had on last night. Tabby, the traitorous whore, is lounging in his lap purring. He looks well rested and way too pleased.

“Why are you smiling like that?” I narrow my eyes.

“Can’t I smile at a pretty girl?”

I roll my eyes as I feel my cheeks heat.

Pretty. He thinks I’m pretty.

“You don’t need to flatter me,” I mutter.

“Just speaking the truth.”

I pull the blanket up and tuck it under my chin. “I didn’t think you would actually be here when I woke up.”

He nods and crosses his ankles, his boots hanging off the side of my bed. “After I left last night, I contemplated not coming back. Just dropping your keys off, but then I realized we really needed to talk, and it would be better to do it in person. It really can’t wait.”

My second alarm goes off, and I watch as he reaches over to the nightstand and shuts it off.

“I have to get to work,” I tell him.

“Go shower, and we can talk before you have to take off.”

“I don’t know if I’ll have time,” I protest.

I don’t know why I’m fighting him on this, but for some reason, I have a feeling I won’t like what he has to say. After last night, I already feel bad enough. I never should have gone looking for him.

But I did, and I have to face the music, and by music, I mean consequences.

“You’ll make time. Now hurry up. I’ll go make some coffee,” he says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I watch as he gets off my bed, setting Tabby down gently, and heads out of my room. Sighing, I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling.

How is this real life?

I’m not the type of girl who takes risks. My life is carefully planned out, but for some reason, meeting Yak has changed that. He’s changed me, and it’s scary.

“I don’t hear you moving,” he yells from somewhere in my house.

“I’m up!” I yell back and toss the covers back.

Quickly, I grab clothes from my closet and then head into the bathroom. As the shower heats, I put my hair up so it won’t get wet. I lock the bathroom door before I get into the shower. As I shower, I think about how stupid it was that I locked the door. If Yak really wanted in, he would find a way.

After taking the world’s quickest shower, I shut the water off and step out. I dry off and wrap the towel around me. I walk over to the counter and start going through my routine. I put on a little face cream, then do my makeup lightly. Once that’s complete, I hang up my towel and get dressed. Lastly, I redo my hair, putting it into a low bun at the base of my neck.

A knock on the bathroom door startles me.

“Coffee’s getting cold,” Yak says from the other side.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I tell him.