Page 12 of Highest Bid

Chapter Five

Layla worked through her shift in a daze, glad that the café had its usual lunchtime rush to help keep her thoughts from constantly straying to Galan.

Was it possible he was more interested in her than his usual flings? Beautiful women flocked to him. Smart woman, too, like a recent, sexy blonde lawyer, who’d clearly needed to let some steam off on the dance floor. Layla’s lips compressed. The woman would have let a whole lot more off in Galan’s bedroom.

“Order up!” Ned called out, before he leaned across the café hut’s servery to Layla and said in an undertone, “What’s going on with you today? You’re as vague as a hen on its last legs.”

“Sorry, Ned. Guess I’m just not with it today.” She managed a smile. “Personal stuff.”

Ned’s bushy silver brows lifted toward his bald head. He pushed a trio of plates, piled high with delicious food, across the servery and said, “Personal as in Galan Black?”

Her face warmed. “So word has already gotten out.”

Ned sighed. “Not much is secret around here. I just hope you know what you’re doing. Galan is more than a boss; he’s like a brother to me. But even I’m aware he’s not exactly a permanent relationship type of guy.”

Her stomach dropped. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Well you’ve had your night of fun and games with him. Now please get him out of your system fast. I need you at your efficient best.” He glanced over at a recently hired waitress, who wrote on her order pad with the most bored expression a person could possibly adopt. “Unlike that goose, Annie.”

Layla hid a smile as she took the trio of plates. She wasn’t about to tell Ned that she was seeing Galan again tonight. She could hardly believe it herself. She’d been hoping for an emotional, long-lasting connection, but had prepared herself for the fallout of being just another conquest “I’ll do my best.”

The next few hours passed by in a blur, with thoughts of Galan almost superseded by waves of tiredness. She yawned. She’d always needed at least eight hours of sleep a night. Last night, she would have been lucky to get three or four.

Not that she was complaining. She’d never been so pleasured, never had so many delicious orgasms. That it was from the one man she’d fantasized about for six long months had only heightened the experience.

She stifled yet another yawn. She was only glad Saturday was her shorter work shift. Once five o’clock rolled around, she was relieved to say her goodbyes, grab her handbag from her locker, and walk the ten minutes to her Marrickville apartment.

Traffic roared past, but the noise and exhaust fumes barely registered, knowing she’d soon be with Galan again. That he even wanted to be with her again had to mean something, surely?

Turning into the concrete pathway of her apartment building, she took the elevator to the third floor, stepped out onto the long balcony walkway that was permanently lit up by outdoor lights, then headed to her door a few meters away. Unlocking it, she stepped inside.

Home sweet home.

She might only rent the one bedroom, one bathroom apartment, but she’d made it her own. From the huge, green and gray patterned rug on the lounge room’s timber floor, to the bright curtains on the windows. Even the knife block set and fruit bowl she’d picked up from the street markets gave the place her own special touch.

Waitressing wasn’t ever going to make her rich, but she worked enough hours to pay the bills with enough left over to furnish her home. Best of all, her sanctuary wasn’t filled with arguments and constant tension. After growing up in a dysfunctional household, she appreciated the quiet and calm like nothing else.

Even a night in the club with the loudest DJ or band wasn’t half as bad as her parents’ toxic fights.

Leaving her handbag on the coffee table, along with her stilettos, she ran a bath while she pulled off her work clothes and Doc Martens shoes. Sinking into the tub a few minutes later, she let out a long sigh. Bliss.

But all too soon her eyes were fluttering closed, her body shutting down with the need for sleep. Reluctantly pulling the plug, she dried off quickly before she wrapped the towel around her and left the bathroom for her bedroom.

She had an hour at most before she needed to get ready, enough time for a quick nap. She grinned. It wouldn’t do to fall asleep in Galan’s penthouse bed before he’d even stripped off her clothes.

Sinking onto her mattress, she closed her eyes and let sleep take over.

She woke to someone banging on her door. She blinked into the darkness, vague and disorientated. Stumbling to the front door, she opened it with the chain still attached. Blinking at the glare from the outside light, she looked up, and up, at the familiar face frowning down at her. “Galan, what are you doing here?”

His eyes narrowed as he looked her up and down. And only then did she realize she was in nothing but a towel, whereas he was in dark-gray dress pants and a crisp white shirt that highlighted his dark hair and lightly tanned skin.

“Did you forget about our dinner?” he rasped.

“No. I...I fell asleep,” she said weakly. At his deepening frown, she snorted out a dismissive laugh. “I didn’t deliberately stand you up, if that’s what you think.”

He dragged a hand over his face. “You should have rang me if you were too tired to make it.”

Her head cleared a little as understanding dawned. He’d never had this happen to him before and, clearly, he was rattled. Not that she’d meant to sleep so long. She wouldn’t have missed having his arms around her again for the world. “Let me get dressed—”

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