Played By Riggs

10

James lied. Last night, when we were on the sofa together, he had flat out lied to my face – promised, that when I woke there would be no surprises.

"Good morning," James rasped. "Did you sleep well?"

I sat up immediately to confirm my whereabouts. "James," I paused, "Why am I in your bed?"

"Because I couldn't let you sleep on the sofa," he said, watching me attentively. "I promise you, if it was for reasons you think, you would remember."

Out of all things I could have said and done in response, I blushed. 

Blushed.

"You didn't answer my question," James reminded. "Did you sleep well?"

I slowly sat back in his bed and pulled the covers up to my neck. I was wearing all of my clothes, which meant James was telling the truth. We didn't have sex. Why did I suddenly feel so disappointed? Perhaps the frustration boiled deep in my gut because, although I was fully dressed, he most definitely wasn't. Next to me on the bed James laid on his side with his chest in full view of my eyes.

"Kelsey, you're gonna have to stop looking at me like that if you want nothing to happen between us."

"Well," I cleared my throat, struck that he had caught me staring. "You should cover yourself up. You don't see me topless."

"Kels," he groaned, rolling over onto his back. "Just stop talking."

Right. Yes. I should stop talking. I should just keep my mouth shut and, maybe, get the day started. "What time is it?" I asked.

"Take a guess."

"I'm not going to guess the time, James."

"The clocks in the hallway, then."

I grunted at the laughter on his face. "8?"

Real laughter this time. Loud and raspy. He turned to face me. "You think it is 8am?"

"Bad guess?"

"Awful guess. It's 1pm."

"What?"

I kicked the white covers off me in hope of finding my phone. Where the hell were all of my things, anyway?

"Your phone is in the living room. But, I'm not lying to you, Kelsey. It really is 1pm. You weren't kidding when you said you were exhausted."

"Why did you let me sleep so late?" I snapped. "We have shit to do, James! Loads of shit. Piles of it, actually. We really can't afford to sleep in till the afternoon. What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking hell, my business partner really needs a good rest. Do you not see the problem? You slept for a good 11 hours. At your Mothers, too, you slept for ages."

"Okay, Mr point the obvious, I get it. I shouldn't be this tired, but I'm-"

"There's no buts this time, Kelsey. You said you agreed to have a day off, well, guess what? The day hasn't finished yet. It started yesterday at 8pm, and ends at the same time tonight."

I could feel myself getting worked up. Why did he care so much? And, was is it bad that I liked the fact he did?

"You want me to stay here until 8pm?" I repeated.

"Yes. I want you to get back in here with me and just do nothing. If you're hungry, I'll make us breakfast."

The offer was already enticing because I knew that underneath the quilt, he was only wearing his boxers. Now, James had included food. I was never one to turn down food. Especially in bed.