Russian Doll

Five: Morning After

Waking up in someone else's bed is one of the scariest things out there. That's why panic pierced Kathryn's heart like a bullet when she became aware of her surroundings the next morning.

Christ damn it Kathryn! she chided herself, the mild headache alerting her to the slightly excessive amount of alcohol she'd consumed the previous night.

The sheets were wrapped around her naked body, but so was something else. Something warm, alive. An arm was wrapped around her waist intimately, encasing her body like it belonged there. Every curve of her figure pressed along the hard lines of a male body.

Robert.... the thought came to her unbidden, realization coming with it. She'd spent the night with Robert. Called him up when the corporate event at Uni became too boring. Shamelessly seduced him, invited herself over to his place.....slept with him.

"Good mornin' " his voice sounded from behind her, the arm he'd wrapped around around her waist tightening fractionally, his breath fanning her neck as he pressed his lips to her naked shoulder.

"Morning" Kathryn breathed, hating the way her body reacted to his touch. It sent a shiver down her spine, the way his hot breath caused a tingle to dance across her skin like an electrical current. And it shouldn't affect her so badly. Not yet. She shifted her weight, turning around slightly to be able to look at him.

And the more she looked at him, the more she died inside. He was so damn handsome up close, in the morning light. His ruffled hair was a dark brown, strayed with grey near the temples, tussled and unkempt from sleeping-among other nightly activities. Eyes a deep shade of brown, reminding her of a wooden door, flecks of deep brown married with lighter hues, so much strength remaining despite the years of weathering, so much life. His jaw was covered in a slight stubble, a sexy salt-and-pepper five o' clock shadow dusted across a jawline that could have been chiseled out of marble. Even his body was beautiful and lean, with just the right amount of body hair and muscle tone. He looked absolutely amazing for a man his age.

A man his age.....just how old was he really?

The thought brought reality crashing back around her, and Kathryn shook her head, mentally cursing at her foolishness.

Why did she have to go and ruin things with a one night stand?! What on earth had possessed her to be so stupid?! Clearly there was something between them. Perhaps they could have been a good thing. But then her inner slut decided to rear her ugly head and ruin things for her before they fully well began.

"Wait-what time is it?" she asked, starting to feel a hint of self-consciousness about her body as Robert's eyes trailed down her naked skin, the heated look in them conveying a message clear as day.

"Somewhere near six thirty" Robert murmured, a slight smirk curving his lips upwards.

"I have to be in the Lab at nine, and I still need to go home and change-" Kathryn said, sitting up, coming to terms with the room. It was neat and tidy except for their clothes on the floor.

"Then there's still time. Don't worry" Robert tried to calm her, but by then Kathryn had already made up her mind.

Sitting upright she placed one foot gingerly on the floor, reaching for her dress as she tried not to make eye-contact with Robert.

"That's a beautiful dress" Robert commented with an appreciative look down her body as Kathryn stepped into the dress that lay crumpled on the floor, pulling it over her hips, shimmying it up her torso.

"Thanks, I guess. I don't have that many dresses" she admitted, shrugging as she watched Robert stand up, drawing up his underwear and coming around the bed to meet her.