First (A Crescent Chronicles Novella) by Alyssa Rose Ivy Read Free Book Online Page A

like that?
     
    I couldn’t get upset about it. I had no reason to. I’d just take her out again and end the night in my bed next time. But maybe I could stall her awhile longer. “There’s no way I’m taking the chance of seeing Jared naked.” I stretched in an exaggerated way to let her know I wasn’t in any hurry.  
     
    She scrunched up her face. “Gross. Fine. Which room is his?”
     
    “Seriously?”
     
    “Yes, seriously. We have to be at work in like twenty minutes.”
     
    Again about work? Maybe her dad was as much of a hard ass as mine. Even so, I still had to try to get her to stay awhile. “Well, if you are already going to be late, you might as well stay for breakfast.”
     
    “Which room is his?” She repeated.
     
    Owen pointed and she marched down the hall. A few minutes later, she opened the front door with Jess chasing after her. She was busy fidgeting with her sandals as Allie stepped outside. “You could have at least let me get dressed!”
     
    Allie didn’t respond. She only threw her an annoyed look. Even her annoyed look was cute. I was losing it.
     
    “Thanks for an amazing night, Allison!” I laughed, enjoying her reaction to everything. She was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. And the hottest.
     
    The girls were still arguing as they stepped into a cab.  
     
    Jared walked out of his room in just a pair of pajama pants. “Lovely morning, isn’t it?”
     
    I ignored him and started to make a pot of coffee.
     
    “What’s gotten into him?” Jared hopped up on the island counter.
     
    “He spent the night on the couch.” Owen took a bite out of an apple.
     
    “Wait? You gave up your room to the girl and didn’t join her?” The huge smirk on Jared’s face said it all.
     
    “No. He spent the night on the couch with her.”
     
    “With clothes on?” Jared raised an eyebrow.
     
    “Yes.” I was tired of letting Owen answer for me.
     
    Jared cracked up. “Seriously? You slept with the girl on the couch?”
     
    “Her name’s Allie.” I may have called her Allison to her face, but I didn’t want Jared calling her that too.
     
    “Well, I definitely didn’t just sleep on the couch with her friend.”
     
    “Yeah. We heard.” Hailey walked into the kitchen.
     
    “Too much for your innocent ears?” Jared smirked.
     
    “Do you even remember her name?”
     
    He laughed dryly. “It’s Jess. Give me some credit.”
     
    “And do you know anything about her?” Hailey was really pushing her luck.
     
    “Why do you care?” Jared hopped off the counter.
     
    “Because you’re better than that.”
     
    “Because I’m better than that?” He pointed to his chest. “What about her?”
     
    “She can do whatever she wants. I’m worried about you. You’re going to be heading for a lonely life if you don’t stop this.”
     
    “Glad you’re worried about me, but I’d be more worried about Levi here. I think he’s lost his touch.”
     
    “Shut up,” I snapped at him. I was frustrated enough already, although not about the lack of sex. Strangely, that didn’t bother me. But she didn’t stay. I refused to believe she wasn’t interested, but she was definitely making it hard.
     
    “I’m proud of you,” Hailey patted me on the shoulder.
     
    “Great. Just what I always wanted.”
     
    “And I’m rooting for you. I like Allie and want her to stick around.”
     
    I poured myself a cup of black coffee. “She will be. Don’t worry about that.”
     
    “What’s your plan, Cassanova?” Owen reached around me to get a mug down from the cabinet.
     
    “I’m taking her out for lunch.”
     
    “Funny. I didn’t hear you guys making plans.” Owen took a seat on a stool.
     
    “We’re going out to lunch.” I made my exit.   I was in no mood to listen to any more crap from my friends.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    I wasn’t positive what her job was at the hotel, but I knew someone who would undoubtedly know. I walked into the lobby and headed