Our Secret To Keep.

Chapter Twenty-Six - I Don't Know When She Left

Kade

I wake to an empty bed. Blythe must have left already. She stayed over since it was a late night. I have no idea when she left. If she went in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning. It doesn't matter either way. I like that she just up and left without a word. I do the same. There is no need for goodbyes. It is only sex, and we see one another at the office anyway.

Slowly, I sit up and run my fingers through my messy hair, yawning. I am still exhausted, but I need to get ready for work. I check my phone, but there are no messages or missed calls, something I am glad of. I wasn't expecting anything from Blythe, but Beth, I wasn't so sure about. With any luck, she has realised how crazy she has been acting and will leave me alone.

Dragging my ass out of bed, I head for a shower. The second I step under the warm water, I hiss and wince as it hits my back, which is clawed to bits from Blythe's nails. It eases after a moment, and I smirk to myself. I love it when she gets rough with me. I am sure my back is scarred for life with how many times she has torn it to shreds. I get a thrill from it, probably more than I should. I have always had a strange desire for pain when it comes to sex. I've never understood why, maybe it is one of my kinks. I am in and out of the shower within ten minutes and get ready to head out. I can't be assed making breakfast, I can stop somewhere on the way to the office since I left a little earlier than usual.

I stroll into one of my favourite cafés, smiling and saying hello as I take a seat. The owners know me. I order my usual, black coffee and a roll with sliced sausage and a potato scone with some fruit in a side bowl. I will need plenty of coffee today. My first coffee of the day arrives. I only manage a sip when a text comes through to my phone. I glance down, seeing it is from Blythe.

Are you stalking me? x

I read it, confused.

Huh? Xx

Look behind you xx

I quickly turn my head and spot Blythe sitting at a corner table having breakfast. She smiles, waving at me. I stand from my table, taking my coffee with me and let the staff know I am moving to a different table before I stroll over to her.

"Have you been here the entire time?" I chuckle.

"Yes, how rude of you not to notice." She pouts.

"Sorry, sweetness. Can I join you?"

Blythe rests back on the chair and crosses her arms over her chest. "Hmm, I don't know if you deserve to sit with me since you didn't even notice me."

"Aww, I am sorry, gorgeous. I promise I will never not notice you again. If I buy your breakfast, then can I sit?"

"I may need to order a second if you are paying," she laughs and points to the seat across from her.

I take a seat. "You can have whatever you want."

A smirk curls on her lips. "I always do."

"When did you leave?"

"About five. I wanted to get a workout in before coming from some breakfast. Were you disappointed when you woke to an empty bed?"

Blythe lifts her mug, taking a sip, and I see her smirk behind it. I need to be careful how I answer that. If I say yes, she may see me as needy, but if I say no, she may take offence to it and think I don't care at all. Yes, we are casual, which works for us, but it doesn't mean that I don't care for her. We spent a lot of time together. Blythe is one of the most feisty, sweet, caring, fun-loving and confident people I have ever met in my life. It is hard not to develop a sweet spot for her. I am not entirely heartless.

"A little, yes," I reply with a smile.

"Were you hoping for some morning sex?"

"Yes. I didn't even hear you leave." I laugh.

"You were out for the count. Scorning your head off and mumbling in your sleep, words that made no sense, gibberish. It was what woke me up." She giggles.

"Sorry. I do that sometimes. I have always talked in my sleep, so I have been told."

I have no idea what I say, but my friends and some women from the past have told me the same thing.

Blythe shrugs. "All good. Have you heard from my sister today?"

I shake my head. "Thankfully, not yet. Maybe hold off on talking to your parents, hopefully last night was enough to make her stop."

I don't want Beth stalking me, but I don't want to start any trouble for anyone unless absolutely necessary.

"Are you sure?" she sighs.

"Yes, for now. I promise. If anything else happens, I will talk to them myself."

"Okay."

I changed the subject, not wanting to talk about Beth any longer. My breakfast soon arrives.

"Do you want anything else, Blythe?" I ask.

"Can I have an iced americano and one of those butterscotch muffins if you have any, please?"

"Make that two if you do have them," I add.

The waitress nods and heads off. Mine will do me for a snack later. They are so delicious, I have never tasted anything like them.

"I meant to tell you last night. We need to take a trip to London next week for a couple of days. There is a client down there who may be interested in investing in the new project. It would be enough to help us expand, but the catch is, we need to go with him. If you don't want to come, it is fine. I can deal with it myself."

"No, I can come. It will be nice to get away for a few days. Are we flying or driving?"

"I thought we could drive. There are two of us, so we can take turns."

I nod. "I am fine to drive down."

"Great. I will get our accommodation booked this afternoon and arrange a place and time to meet with him." She smiles.

It will be fun to get away with her for a few days. "One room or two?" I ask with a raised brow.

"Two, in case one of us gets lucky while we are there." She laughs.

"I would be fine just getting lucky with you there, sweetness."

Why waste money on two rooms when we can share? We will end up in each other's room anyway.

"I will see how I feel when I book it." She replies.

Blythe can act like she doesn't love the idea of us, alone in a hotel room for three nights, but she isn't fooling anyone. I laugh and focus on my breakfast. It would be great if we could expand, but we can wait and see what he is offering and the terms that come with it. It may not be worth it. Something we can work out after our meeting.