Read Mine to Steal (Mine to Love) for Free Online Page A

thing. I extend my hand over to stop the noise, somehow managing to knock a glass over, and the shattering glass jolts me upright. I instantly regret the swift movement that causes me to grab my pounding head. My eyes refuse to open, but I can see faint sunlight through my eyelids. I squeeze my eyes tighter as I try to shield them from the intruding light source, but it hurts even more. Everything fucking hurts.
    I consider the time and I wonder if I can sleep in a few more minutes, but there’s no way. I’ve already snoozed the alarm once and now I’m running behind. I lie back down and yank my pillow over my head, but the smell of perfume lingers on the pillow, and once again, she’s in my head. Try as I might to block it all out, there’s no escaping it.
    Flashes of her at the club and in my bed come to mind, reminding me of what happened last night.
    Maybe I should have skipped the late night clubbing and drinking, but then I wouldn’t have spent the night I did with the enigma I did. Granted, I wouldn’t be sporting this nasty hangover that is inconvenient considering I have to be on a plane this afternoon. Despite my tired and achy state, I drag myself from beneath the sheets and notice the clothes strewn about the room, but there’s no trace of her anywhere. 
    As I sit at the edge of my bed, my elbows resting on my knees, I try to recall something about her, other than her hair. She smelled like spring or something fruity. I wish I could have made out her features, but between the shots and the darkness, very little was visible. Hell, I’m surprised I was even able to perform.
    Shit. Did she leave because it was bad or was she embarrassed by what we did?
    I remember my hands gripping her waist. The moment my fingers touched her, fire shot through my entire body.
    Focus, Trey. You have too much shit to do today.
    Pushing to my feet, I head to the bathroom and start the shower so I can get moving. While I wait for the water to warm up, I observe my reflection, and I’m knocked back by my ragged appearance. I smell as awful as I feel - the stench of stale alcohol and cigarettes invade my senses. My tongue feels like it’s been rubbed against a piece of sandpaper or as if I licked an ashtray - either way, it’s pretty disgusting.
    The shower is steaming when I step in and I try not to think back on last night, but she refuses to let me go that easy. For the third time since my alarm went off, the stranger has infiltrated my head. Her hands on my body, the familiarity of her - though we’ve never met - and the minty taste of her lips are enough to keep me still a little too long.
    From what I recall of the evening, the band was a little too country for my taste, but the crowd seemed to enjoy them. Jett moped after being teased by Joss but recovered when a random drunk girl who was looking for someone to dance with approached him. I know Jett hates country music, more so than me, but there was no way he was going to pass up the chance to hook up with a sexy girl. He was desperate to redeem himself after his public shaming at the hands of a woman who sounded like she’d inhaled one too many helium balloons.
    When the band finished their final set, Jett walked back over with the girl, who he introduced as Cayenne - as in pepper. I knew what he had in mind and I didn’t care - until I saw her . And when she agreed to leave with me, I didn’t give a second thought to letting my brother figure out his own way home, even though it was a dick move.
    I have no doubt when I leave this afternoon, Jett will have an endless trail of women making their way into my apartment. All I have to say is he better not bring them into my bed.
    The shower does little to alleviate my hangover, but at least I feel refreshed when I get out. My typical black slacks and button-down shirt give me the appearance of a put-together guy, but my head is still pounding. I grab some aspirin and down them before I notice Jett’s door is still