The Wild Interview

by K. A Knight

  “I’m glad you’re staying,” he says quietly after a few minutes, his hand playing with my hair. “I want to get to know you better, and that’s difficult at work.”

  “Same here. I feel like I’ve known you my whole life, like we have this connection.” I feel Emmett stiffen and sit up, a strange look on his face. “Uh oh. What did I say?” I ask, scrambling up to look at him.

  “I just. Well. I feel like I know you as well, but I don’t… you know...” I finally work out what he’s trying to say and I can’t hold back the laughter at the realisation.

  “You don’t fancy me right? You really thought I was coming on to you?” I howl with laughter again and have to look away, every time I look at his face I start to giggle again.

  “Hey! Don’t take the piss! When girls say stuff like that it’s because they are coming on to me!” he defends, but I can see he’s fighting back a grin of his own. “I just feel like we could be really good friends, and I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

  I snort and roll my eyes.

  “Don’t worry Emmett, I don’t fancy you. You’re more like a brother to me!” He laughs and throws himself back onto the bed.

  “Thank god. Not that you’re not hot or anything. You’re just, you know, Gabs.” I roll my eyes at his backhanded compliment, but I do know what he means, and I’m not offended. To be honest, I’m relieved that there is at least one guy out of the six I live with who I don’t want to jump into bed with.

  I wake up slowly, the late night lingering in my mind, making me smile. It’s strange being here, I feel so comfortable, even if Blake does follow me around glaring. I blow out a breath and shift, curling up in my duvet knowing I need to talk to him today. The others invited me to stay longer and I agreed, but I owe him an explanation and to ask if he’s comfortable with me being here. A conversation I can’t wait to have. The light streams in and hits my half-awake face, but first I need tea.

  As if my thoughts summon him, my door slams open and Emmett strides in, wearing only his boxers. He sits next to me and passes over a cup of tea, setting his on the table near his side of the bed and laying down, curling up next to me. Grinning, I sit up, my back against the headboard, and my fingers inch down until I’m playing with his hair. It feels so natural and right, and I decide to just go with it. After establishing we aren't attracted to each other, it made things a lot easier.

  “Morning,” he rumbles sleepily, yawning wide and closing his eyes again. Shit, he’s adorable, in like a puppy way, where you just want to cuddle it. Better not tell him that though.

  “Morning,” I reply and sip my tea, grinning when the sugar hits. He remembered how I liked it. I watch in amusement as he shuffles closer until his head rests on my lap, his eyes still closed. We sit like that for a while, me sipping my tea and him cuddled around me. My door is still partially open and an extremely tired looking Liam shuffles in, his eyes half open and a vacant expression on his face. He doesn't even look where he’s going as he walks into the bed with a grunt, before climbing on and crawling towards me. Shit, I know he is half asleep, but the way his muscles clench and move has me almost panting. He’s sexy as hell, and he doesn't even know it. Especially with his hair stuck up at all angles and his lean chest on display in his low riding joggers. He crawls to my side and drops with a huff, burying his head into my duvet covered thigh, and throwing his legs over mine.

  “I figured you for a boxer sleeper,” I tease, still sipping my tea.

  He grunts, lifting his head slightly, one eye slitting open and struggling to focus on me. “I sleep naked, figured you wouldn't let me climb into bed with you if I was starkers.” I raise my eyebrow and he reaches down, pulling his joggers lower, lightly showing me his peachy bare ass before he pulls them back up and drops his head back to my side.

  Fuck, these guys are going to kill me. Emmett eventually rolls over and shimmies until he sits against the headboard with me and grabs his tea, downing it. I pass mine over and he grabs the now empty mugs, looking wide-eyed and awake. “So, what we doing today Boss Lady?” he teases, eyeing the fast asleep Liam curled around me.

  “I need to talk to Blake.” I grimace and he laughs. Liam groans and eyes us.

  “Shush.” He closes his eyes again and I shake my head.

  “Sorry cupcake, I’ve got to get showered and hunt down Mr. Mardy Pants, otherwise he’s going to kick me out today.” The thought makes me sad, I love it here.

  “Fine,” he moans, flipping over onto his back, his joggers riding low, showing me those delicious v lines. Emmett nudges me, and I smile sweetly and flutter my lashes at him. He winks at me but thankfully doesn’t point out my ogling.

  “What are you going to say?” he asks and I sigh, my mind back on Blake.

  “I don’t know, I’ll wing it.” Needing to get moving before I chicken out, I crawl from between them, forgetting I’m only wearing a nightshirt until Liam spanks my lace covered ass, which is now bare for all to see.

  “Shit Gabs, warn a guy before you stick your ass in his face,” Emmett says with a laugh as I tumble from the bed and land on my feet.

  “You don’t need to warn me, in fact, feel free to do it anytime,” Liam offers, turning over and propping his head on his arm as his eyes run down my bare legs. Rolling my eyes, I flip them both off and shuffle into the bathroom, shutting the door on their laughter.

  I shower quickly, still eyeing the tub I need to try. If I get through to Blake, I’m so rewarding myself with a soak. Towel drying my hair, I shuffle out of the steamy bathroom in a towel to see they have luckily left. A little part of me is disappointed, I’m so used to them just invading my privacy now but it’s for the best, I shouldn't get used to this, after all I’m still their boss.

  Grabbing some comfy clothes, I debate my options. I don’t want to seem like I’m trying too hard or throwing myself at him. I shimmy into some black leggings, a tank top, and a comfy oversized oatmeal cardigan with a hood. There. Shit, okay, I’m overthinking this trying to distract myself from the argument I know I’m about to cause.

  I force myself to leave my room and search for him. I check the kitchen first, but only Leo and Kingston are there. Kingston’s reading a romance book with a half-naked man on the front and Leo is eating. I blow them both a kiss and Leo grins, but Kingston doesn't even notice me. Grinning, I hold my finger up to my lips and Leo nods. Sneaking behind Kingston, I drop my head onto his shoulder.

  “Whatcha reading?” I ask in my cutesy voice and he jumps, but doesn't shut the book. I read over his shoulder and my eyes widen.

  “Damn, that is some dirty book. I’m borrowing that later.” I lift my head and he turns to look at me.

  “Sure, I have a whole bookcase, feel free to borrow anytime. Also, morning,” he grins and buries his head back in his book and I leave him to it, knowing how annoying it is when people disrupt your reading.

  “Want some breakfast?” Leo asks, getting up and clearing his plate away.

  “No thanks sweetie, have you seen Blake?” He turns and leans against the counter while he waits for the kettle to boil, and I try to ignore the play of muscles in his tight shirt. He really is fucking built. He’s massive.

  “I think he’s down doing laps.” I nod and turn to leave.

  “Here, you’ll need this.” I turn and grin as he passes over a freshly brewed coffee.

  “Thank you!” I dart in and kiss his cheek, and leave to find Blake as I hear Kingston making kissing noises behind me.

  I laugh and round the corner, opening the door that leads down to the pool, and descend the steps. Walking into the indoor pool room, my feet are already damp. I spot him instantly.

  He slaps his palm on the side of the pool and stands up, water streaming down his delicious body, making me drool. His tattoos only add to his beauty and I find myself clutching the coffee to my chest as my nipples perk up. He might be a dick, but he’s a hot one. He slicks his hair back and my mouth goes dry and my pussy wet. Not wanting to be wei
rd and get caught staring, I shuffle in and wet my lips.

  “Blake?” I ask, and he turns to eye me. He wades through the water and I grab a towel and lay it on the side of the pool, before I pull up my leggings and sit down with my feet in the water. He stops next to me with a confused expression, obviously wondering why I’m breaking our truce of ignoring each other.

  “Peace offering?” I say sweetly, pushing the coffee to him.

  He takes it slowly, as if I might snatch it back, and eyes me as he brings it to his lips, which I’m now staring at. Looking away, I glance around the room.

  “Thanks, now what do you want?” he asks, not mardy, but straight to the point.

  “I just wanted to say thank you for letting me stay, you didn't have to.”

  He grunts and puts his mug down on the edge of the pool. “I didn't have much choice, did I?”

  “Yes you did.” He turns to look at me. “If you had said no, they wouldn't have let me stay, they respect and care about you too much.”

  He looks uncomfortable, but I see the smile dancing in his eyes. “Look, I’ll be honest. I don't like having you here, it spells trouble. I see the way you look at them, and the way they watch you.”

  I nod. “True, I’ll admit I’m attracted to them. Fuck, anyone would be. They are smart, kind, and yes, hot as hell. You all are, but I would never compromise my job by doing something stupid.”

  He searches my eyes before grabbing the side of the pool and pulling himself out, I have to look away. I sigh, thinking he’s leaving before I even get a chance to explain, but he surprises me and sits down next to me, inches away and sips his coffee as we both stare into the pool.

  “I had nowhere else to go,” I admit quietly, embarrassed, but needing to be truthful. He respects truth and if anything will swing him to let me stay, it’s being honest with him.

  “I know, that’s why I let you stay. Can I ask why?” he actually sounds concerned, and I remember Emmett mentioning how they leave the room empty for anyone in need.

  “My parents kicked me out when they found out I accepted this job. Some shit about being a disgrace. Just threw their own daughter aside and with my brother being... My friends didn't care, they aren’t the type you can depend on, you know? They’re there when life is good and having fun, but when you need someone to ring at three AM with an emergency, they won’t answer. I guess I don't really have anyone, not like you guys. You are so close.” I shake my head, kicking my feet through the water, admitting I’m jealous of what the guys have. I love my job, but working crazy hours and being so dedicated definitely had an impact on my life, and now I find myself wondering what else I’ve missed out on.

  “We are family,” he says softly, and I notice his soft expression out of the corner of my eye.

  “Can I ask you why you let me stay?”

  He grunts, and I think I’ve pushed him too far when he finally answers, “Guess it’s fair, you answered mine. I know what it's like having nowhere to go, I couldn't let someone stay on the streets knowing I had the capacity to help them. Someone helped me a long time ago and I vowed to repay that favour in the future. So, I might not have liked the idea, but I would never have turned you away.”

  I nod, thinking through his words. Emmett himself told me he had a bad childhood and I find my curiosity getting the better of me. “You had a hard childhood?” I ask and he freezes next to me, I hold my breath—shit, he’s going to walk away when he is finally opening up to me. I search for something to say, something to break the tension and let him trust me enough. I find myself wanting to know everything about him and I would bare my own pain to find out. I don't question why too much, but blurt out the next words. “I lost my brother, almost five years ago. He was my best friend. Everyone says that, I know, but he really was. We stuck together through school and everything, when I was away at uni, we talked every day. When I lost him, it broke something in me. It broke our family, but it left a hole behind I don't know how to fill. I’m not complaining, I know there are people going through worse things, but it was my own personal hell. Trying to live without him, every day I was reminded of him. I turned to drinking and fucking random guys, but nothing helped. Every time I close my eyes I see his face, that fucking cheeky smile he always had. It doesn't get better, in fact, time makes it worse. I’m starting to forget him, and that hurts more than anything.” I stop my ramble by shutting my mouth and wince at the awkward silence between us, of all the people to open up to, I never thought it would be Blake.

  “I’m sorry about your brother.” I nod and he sighs. “I can’t even remember my mom and dad’s face, nor my little sister’s.” I freeze, not wanting to spook him as he shivers next to me, obviously reopening an old wound. “Fuck, they all died when I was six years old. Car crash, I managed to survive. They don't know how. My tattoos? They cover the scars. All I remember was waking up inside the car, it was upside down and there was so much pain, so much blood. My sister, she… she wasn't moving next to me. I cried but no one answered.” He takes a breath and I shuffle closer, offering comfort. “Anyway, I was put into the system after that. Moved from foster home to foster home. They nicknamed me Runner, because I never stayed in one place for long. The people, they weren't always bastards, they just didn't care. Most wanted us for the money, some wanted us because they wanted to hurt us. It was better on the streets, even when I was terrified and cold, at least I was in control. I met the guys when I was at school, and we just clicked. We had this stupid idea, it was a joke at first, but after a while and lots of shitty dead end jobs, we gave it a go. I’m not saying all this shit for sympathy, just that without them I’d be lost. They are my family now, even as my own fades. You still love them, it just means you’re finally moving on and that’s okay as long as you don’t completely forget about them. It’s okay to be happy.”

  Well fuck, I think that's the most I’ve ever heard him say and my heart aches for him. I didn’t hate him before, but now that I know what he went through? I can understand him, which is more dangerous.

  “Thank you for sharing that. It actually made me feel better. I’m sorry about your family and the shitty childhood you had, but I think you turned out pretty amazing and it’s obvious those men upstairs think the same. Maybe it’s time you started letting yourself believe you are worth it.” I look at him and he stares back, searching my face before he smiles. It’s small, but it's there, and I find myself smiling back.

  “Thank you,” he whispers and I nod.

  “Does this mean I can stay?” I ask cheekily, breaking the tension. He snorts out a laugh before slipping back into the water, dunking under and rewetting his hair. When he resurfaces he has an evil looking grin on his face.

  “Maybe, only if you can outswim me.”

  I tilt my head in confusion, and let out a yelp when his hands wrap around my legs and pull. I land in the water with a splash, going under before breaking the surface with a splutter. He laughs as I glare at him.

  “Oh, it’s on,” I declare, diving under the water and aiming for his legs.

  We spend the next thirty minutes playing and chasing each other in the water, it seems Blake let his guard down and finally let me in, and we aren’t boss and employee but rather... friends.

  Eventually, I start to get cold and I leave him towelling off, I grab some clothes from upstairs and quickly get changed before making my way to the kitchen. I find all the others in there, just setting lunch on the table. I wait in the doorway with a big smile.

  “I’m staying,” I say with a grin, and they all eye me before leaning in to whisper among themselves.

  “Do you think she replaced him with an alien?” Liam asks.

  “Maybe she killed him and hid his body,” Emmett says with a grin.

  “What if she sucked him off and convinced him to let her stay?” Kingston adds and they all seem to contemplate his questions.

  “Nope, he would still kick her out on her ass,” Damon says stiffly.

  I clear my
throat and cross my arms, and they all get a guilty look on their face. “We talked, that’s all. Now, what sort of shit can we get up to today?” I ask with a smile and Liam whoops, rushing to his feet as I hear footsteps behind me.

  “Food first,” Blake interrupts, ignoring all the glances thrown his way. He walks past me and we share a look, before he turns away and grabs a mug. He hesitates before grabbing another. Slipping into my assigned seat at the table, I grab some sandwiches and crisps, pilling my plate high when a mug full of tea plonks down in front of me.

  I look up and Blake grunts. “Doesn’t mean I like you.” He sits down and sips his own, ignoring the others gawking.

  I take a sip, it burns my tongue but I smile when I realise he made it just the way I like it. He must have watched the others, why does the thought send my heart thumping faster?

  Conversation picks up after that, even as they still throw us looks. “Kelsey is coming around in a bit, we could do a chilled afternoon? Maybe a movie marathon?” Leo asks.

  “She's your girlfriend, right? I can't wait to meet her!” I say with a smile and Liam chuckles next to me.

  “Uh huh, sure ya can’t,” he adds.

  “Just because I’m a girl doesn't mean we won't get on, she obviously gets on with you lot and likes Leo, why the fuck wouldn't we get on? Seriously, not all women are bitches.” I grab a sandwich and glare at Liam who has the decency to look chastened before his eyes light up again.

  “We could do a sleepover!” he yells and the other guys groan.

  The boys do nothing half-assed. While I went to change into some pajamas, which Damon declared necessary, they had been very busy. Staring around the living room wide-eyed, I can’t help but laugh. They dragged at least six mattresses downstairs, pushing the sofas together and out of the way, and made a den of blankets and pillows in the middle. The sixty inch TV is already loaded with a film and the coffee table is filled with snacks and junk food.