“Looks like somebody was out celebrating,” said Alexis with a smile. “Congratulations again, by the way.”

I grinned at her in a way that revealed my drunkenness, and wobbled slightly on my feet as I went to the kitchen to find a glass of water. It was at the back of my mind to ask why Lee was there, but I thought he must have come to visit the baby and see how Alexis was doing. With my glass full, I hobbled my way over to them and plonked down on the couch next to Lee.

“Reya and I went for cocktails. I think I might have gone a little overboard,” I said, trying not to slur my words. When I looked at Lee, I found him regarding me fondly, his arm resting along the back of the couch. I scrunched up my mouth and pointed a finger into his chest, half the water in my glass sloshing out onto my lap. “Did you know about Reya and Trevor?”

He shook his head. “What about them?”

“I dunno. I think they’re having a thing.”

“Sounds serious.”

“Don’t be cheeky,” I warned, pointing at him again. A noise came from the baby monitor, and Alexis went to go check on Oliver. I might have been drunk, but I didn’t fail to see the cynical, knowing look on her face as she glanced between the two of us.

“You should get to bed, Snap. Sleep off all that booze,” Lee murmured.

“I have to drink this water first. Otherwise, I’ll be hung over in the morning.”

His laugh was soft. “I think that’s gonna happen anyway, beautiful.”

“Ugh, you’re so…so…annoying,” I said, and lifted the glass, downing the rest of its contents. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I added, “And don’t call me beautiful. You think I’ll let you in my pants because I’m drunk, wellll, no way, José.”

“Ah, you have me pegged. I’m a dirty opportunist.” Lee sighed dramatically, unable to wipe the grin from his face. He thought I was funny. Getting up from the couch, I stumbled slightly, but he caught me in time to prevent my fall.

“Easy,” he murmured, his hands clasping my elbows.

Looking up at him from beneath my lashes, I swallowed tightly and stepped out of his hold. Turning, I managed to make it to my bedroom, where I unceremoniously bumped into my wardrobe.

“Ow,” I whined, clutching my knee.

Lee stood just a few feet shy of my doorway. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” I answered, and then proceeded to face-plant onto my mattress. Fully clothed; I had no intention of going to the effort of undressing. I could sleep like this.

Lee entered my room. “You sure you don’t need some help?”

“Nope, I’m good,” I said, waving a hand in the air.

“You’re just going to sleep in your clothes?” he asked.

“Pretty much.”

“Karla, let me help you.”

Annoyed, I flipped over onto my back and levelled him with a hostile glare. “I said, I’m fine.”

Lee sighed and went back out into the living room, not bothering to shut my door. I closed my eyes and tried to go to sleep, but the waist of my jeans began to bite into my skin, and I felt uncomfortably sweaty in my silk blouse. Only a minute or two had passed when I called out sheepishly, “Lee?”

The smile in his voice was unmistakable. “What is it, Snap?”

“Maybe I could use some help.” No way were these skinnies coming off on their own. Chuckling, he returned to my room and stood at the foot of my bed, grinning down at me.

“You’re adorable when you’re drunk.”

I scoffed. “Sure.”

“Let’s get these off you, then,” he said, resting a knee on the mattress and bending forward to undo my fly. With effort he pulled them down my legs, finally getting them off. I was already unbuttoning my blouse when I realised he’d gone quiet, and looked up to find him standing over me, heat in his eyes as they traced my bare legs.

“You good from here?” he asked, swallowing tightly.

I couldn’t answer, because his stare was creating a burning need between my thighs. My throat was thick when I finally said, “Yeah, I’m good.”

He had turned to leave when I added, “Wait, can you help me with the duvet before you go?”

I shouldn’t have said it. I could easily deal with a bloody duvet by myself. The truth was that I didn’t want him to leave. Not yet. Nodding, he didn’t say a word as he returned, slid an arm around my waist, and lifted me up while pulling the duvet out from under me. Exhaling heavily, I stared at his thick lashes, then at his lips, before finally resting my gaze on his.

Acting purely on instinct, I seized his mouth, moving my lips and coaxing his to open. He groaned as I kissed him, his entire body still and tense. My skin heated, my body responding to the contact as I arched my hips and felt the stirrings of an erection in his pants.

“You’re drunk,” he said as he broke away briefly, like he was trying to reason with himself.

“Mm-hmm,” I murmured indistinctly, pulling him back as I slid my tongue into his mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck. Lee hissed when I ground myself off his dick, seeking friction. For a second he kissed me hungrily, drinking me in and tasting me. Then a moment later he was gone, rising off the bed and running his hands through his hair.

“Fuck,” he swore. “You can’t test me like that, Karla. I’m not strong enough,” he said gruffly.

I lay there, staring up at him, breathless. “I’m sorry.”