Breathing deep, I can still smell his cologne so close to my face. I thought I was dreaming again but it's just so real. Rolling my head, the pain hits instantly. The hard throb in my temples, in my eyes makes me wonder if I fell on my head in my sleep. Or down a flight of stairs. Covering my eyes I bury my face in the pillow, again I smell him. Aiden. His name is Aiden.

It's then I notice the bed feels different. It's like laying on a cloud. The sheets are softer, the comforter silkier, the mattress is bigger. I've got a nice bed but not like this. This is not my bed. Slowly I open my eyes and peek through my fingers. The dresser by the door isn't mine, the bathroom, the desk and the football equipment. None of this is mine.

Oh no, what did I do? I can't put the pieces from last night together. I remember the girls fussing over me. I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay home and study. They were just so insistent and I caved in. I remember I didn't recognize the girl in the mirror, they had transformed me into a beautiful mysterious stranger. I felt like Cinderella going to the ball. But then my nerves took over.

I don't remember what happened

Looking down at myself I don't recognize what I have on. I'm in a big T-shirt, it's not mine. I don't know how I got into it. No one is here with me. I guess that's a good thing. I didn't do anything too stupid. Rolling slowly to my back and trying to remember the night before, I close my eyes tight and try to focus. I got to the party with the girls. I didn't know anyone and I lost the girls immediately. I found the kitchen was mostly empty compared to the other rooms and stayed in the kitchen. I talked with Sebastian Mattox, and he gave me a drink, lemonade. He gave me a few of them I think. Then I'm blank. There's nothing after that only waking up here.

I need to get out of here. Moving slowly to not jar my brain more than necessary I sit up and look at the clock on the nightstand, six fifteen. Then I see the bottle of water and two white pills with a post-it note, "take these". Following instructions I take them hoping to stop my head from exploding.

As I get up I almost trip over the big heap on the floor. Looking closely in the dim morning light I notice it's not a pile of blankets but a body. A large male body asleep on the floor next to the bed. His arms are folded under his head for a pillow, his dark hair is sticking up and mussed. Those long black eyelashes rest closed. His face is covered with dark stubble giving him a dangerous sexy look. Watching his chest rise and fall steadily, slowly in a deep sleep I looked at his lips, soft pink and parted slightly. I could hear him softly snoring away.

His thick arm was bare. Looking hard I can just make out the tattoo on his arm. I can't read it clearly but it's definitely words that wrap around his bicep. Curious I lean a little closer to try to read it. The only word that I can easily make out is family.

Aiden

He let me sleep in his bed. He took the floor. The gesture was sweet and gracious. My eyes softened on him and something warm fluttered in my chest. Did he do this to keep me safe?

I jump when he shifts in his sleep. Rolling over to his other side and murmuring something I can't make out. As he rolls the covers fall off him and his back is bare to me. I can only see smooth tan skin, tight over firm muscles that lead to dark boxers covering his hips.

My heart begins to pick up speed. Thump, thump, thump.

I should get out of here before he gets moving. I should be long gone before there are questions I can't answer, before it gets uncomfortable for both of us. Seeing my dress, purse and shoes across the room on a chair, nicely folded and waiting for me moves me. He took care, not just with me but my things.

Silently, I grab my things and go to the bathroom and change. Once dressed and carrying my shoes, I look back once at him still asleep before I creep out of the room and close the door behind me. Thinking maybe I should leave a note saying thank you, I start to go back in but as I turn the knob, it won't budge. The door is now locked. I can't go back.

That ends that idea. Walking down the hall all the doors are closed as I pass. The house is silent, not a soul is up. Finding my way down the next hall and to the stairs, I make my way down avoiding cups left behind, bottles tossed absently aside and evidence of quite the party I missed.

I don't think I've ever seen a house quite like this. The house is huge. Now that I can really see it without bodies everywhere. Big spacious living room, a large but cluttered dining room. Windows and two sets of French doors along the back of the house letting in the morning light and revealing a big backyard and pool. It's a stunning view I'd love to admire but I need to go.

Once outside, I'm blinded by the rising sun and cover my hand over my forehead to see. It's going to be a long walk home. I refuse to fight the high heels in my hand with the rest of the pain I'm feeling and walk barefoot back to the dorm. Skirting around rocks and walking cautiously over asphalt to cross the street. Turning the corner, there's very little traffic this early and I don't see anyone moving around on campus yet.

At least no one is up moving right now. Another hour and I would be running into people who would think I just had a wild night at a frat house. That would be all I would need. I don't think I want to have to explain this to anyone. How would I explain that I was stupid enough to have something slipped to me and I blacked out the entire night waking up in a strangers bed.

Quickly, I plug in the building code on the number pad and go into the building. On the ride up the elevator I refuse to look at my reflection in the steel, I must look like a wreck. My head rests back against the cool steel with my eyes closed until I hear the soft ding. Climbing out I enter my key in the lock and go inside. Again it's quiet and would seem empty if it weren't for the remnants of shoes and purses laying on the couch. My roommates made it home.

Going into my room, I strip down and put on my pajamas, crawling into bed and pulling the covers up around me, I curl up in a cozy ball. It's the weekend, no classes, no studying for the moment and I can recover in the sanctuary of my own bed. Breathing deep I can still smell his cologne in my memory and I fall to sleep with him on my mind.

We couldn't find Riley. After searching the house top to bottom she wasn't anywhere. We even had all the boys helping with the search. Sawyer said he would keep an eye out but he doesn't know who she is or what she looks like. We gave the guy's a description but there's so many girls with long dark hair and brown eyes it's impossible for them to tell them apart.

I finally found Aiden right before we left but he said he had been dealing with Mattox and a girl for most of the night. I guess the jerk was up to his old tricks. Aiden was distracted and pissed over the situation, which is understandable given the history there so I wouldn't have gotten his help. Probably better anyway. He would have just hit on her.

When we got back to the dorm Riley's door was closed. I peeked in and could only see that her blanket on her bed was lumped up. I think she just decided to come back to the dorm. She was uncomfortable going and we pushed when we shouldn't have. I felt bad that she was left alone and I know we need to apologize for it.

I just thought Riley would have fun. I wanted her to meet the rest of the family and let loose a little. She studies harder than anyone I know. I just wanted her to have fun. I feel responsible. I'm just glad Mattox didn't find her. It could have been really bad for her if he tried anything with her.

Laying in bed I think about last night, running it all around in my head. There's guilt in there and a little pity for Riley. She keeps to herself so much. I know she said she was used to it being just her and her dad but I've never been alone. I don't know if I could be alone and be okay with it.

Coming out of my room this morning, well afternoon I guess it is since it's now one, I walk down the hall to Riley's room. Her bedroom door is still closed so I guess she's still in there. I go over and knock softly on it before opening it up slowly. Riley is curled up in a ball in bed sound asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, I close the door again and go out to the kitchen where Emery and Colby are making breakfast.

"Any word on Riley?" Emery asks as she hands me a cup of coffee.

Dressed in boxers and a T-shirt, her hair is piled on top of her head in Emery's version of her not leaving the house clothes. She looks as guilty and worried as I feel. Passing me the cream and sugar I doctor my coffee and sips.

"She's still asleep. I feel bad. We shouldn't have pushed her to go last night." I take a seat at the table and Emery sits across from me. "I hope she's not mad at us."

"I just wish she had told us she was leaving. I would have driven her back. I don't like the idea that she walked alone like that. It's just not safe." Emery stared down at her mug. I had to agree and popped a grape into my mouth.

Colby stayed quiet scrambling eggs and flipping bacon. I know her, she's thinking about what happened to Aunt Laney when she was in college. We heard the story about her being taken from a bar and abused growing up. It was a scary time for her and Breyden. Colby more than the rest of us is very sensitive to this. For some reason, she's always been afraid of it happening again.

"She's okay, Colby. Riley is right here sound asleep. She's safe." I remind her when she sets the food on the table. Only getting a nod from her, I take hold of her hand and give it a squeeze.

We eat in silence. Not our normal behavior after a night out. We're usually talking about the girls that had chased after Aiden and the guy's we saw and found interesting. The first party is always full of good information to talk about. When the knock comes at the door, I frown getting up to get it. We weren't expecting anyone.

Should have known who it was

I swear these boys can smell it when we're making food. Landon and Sawyer stroll in giving me a kiss on the head as they pass by. Heading straight into the kitchen. Making themselves right at home, they grunt a good morning to the girls. Taking a mug down for each other, they get their own coffee and sit with us.

"Any news from your roommate?" Landon asks as he bites into a strip of bacon then scoops up some eggs for his plate.

"She's here. Sleeping still." Emery tells them. "I guess she walked back by herself last night. I don't think she even went inside. I thought she was right behind us but..."

"As long as she's safe and not like the girl Aiden scooped up." Sawyer explained it all as we ate. "Mattox drugged a girl and she was really out of it. Aiden found her trying to get away from Mattox, that's what the fight was over when we kicked the bastard out. I thought Aiden was gonna kick his ass. He wanted to. Anyway, Aiden took her to his room to sleep it off."

"That's why he disappeared for the rest of the night. That cheerleader that's been following him around this past week kept asking me where he was. Is she okay?" I know how protective all of these guys are at the house. It's why I feel safe going to their parties. None of them would hurt us.

"I guess she's okay, I know she got sick and was pretty shaky last night. They were still asleep when we headed over. His room was locked up so I couldn't get in. Aiden said he was sleeping on the floor just in case she got sick again." Landon said over his cup.

Landon is just as sensitive to these things as Colby. Both have had their own experiences with it. Landon's mom, Laney and then freshman year when Mattox slipped Colby a drug in her drink. It's what caused the rift between him and Aiden, the whole family actually. It makes us more conscious of what can happen at a party.

Landon is especially cautious with us. It's sweet that he looks out for us and I know sometimes we take it for granted but it's times like this I'm so glad I have them watching out for us. If anything ever happened to one of us I know these guys would break down every door to save us.

We talk about last night and the upcoming game this week the boys are looking forward to. Moving from the kitchen to the living room and turning on the tv we watch the game. In the time we're hanging out, Riley doesn't emerge. Now I'm worried she doesn't want to come out.

Maybe there's something wrong?

Leaving the guys completely immersed with their game, I knock on Riley's door once again. This time she opens it. Her hair wet and face scrubbed clean and in her comfy clothes. I can see her laptop on her bed and books stacked around her.

"Hi, I just thought I'd check on you. I'm so sorry about last night. I wish you had told one of us you were leaving. We would have brought you back here." I tell her as I walk into her room.

"Oh..." Her eyes stay averted like she's guilty over something. She shouldn't feel bad about not wanting to be there. "I guess I didn't think it was necessary. You guys were having fun. I was fine, I am fine."

Reaching over I took her hand. Bringing to the bed we sat down. "You shouldn't get pushed into anything and we did that. I'm sorry. I don't want to feel uncomfortable with us."

"I don't. Really." Riley sighs pulling her hand away from mine. "I'm not used to being at parties. But it's not your fault. I should've spoke up."

I get the feeling she's holding something back but having learned my lesson I won't push. Looking at the pile of books on her bed, she has some serious studying happening. I look at the books and see it's all business law. Yikes, not my subject.

"You're doing a good amount of work here." I flip through a page and give up.

"I thought if I could just focus on this I could get my mind wrapped around it but it's not working. I emailed my professor. I need some office time with her to figure it out." She closes one of the books and shrugs. "She said I could set something up with her TA. I hope that they can help."

"Well I know some lawyers who could help if you need it." I offer knowing my family would help any of us with school.

"I'll keep it in mind. Thanks." She looks up hearing the cheering coming from the other room. "You should get back to your company. It's sounds like they're having fun without you."

"It's just my cousins. Why don't you come meet them? They were at the party last night too. I would have introduced you then but... I can now?" She looks like I just scared the crap out of her. Wow, she really doesn't like being around a lot of people.

"I need to get this done but I'm sure I'll meet them at some point. Go have fun. I'm fine really." Nodding knowing when I'm being asked to leave, I get up to go to the door. "Hunter? Thank you, and I'm sorry if I worried you."

I closed the door behind me and went back out. I guess Riley will have to get to know us in her own way.

I thought I was being a nice guy. I thought if I slept on the floor I was showing her I was here, I wouldn't hurt her. She said she didn't like being alone when she was sick. I hated walking out the door to go down and deal with my responsibilities. I didn't have a choice.

When I came back up to my room I had enough and just wanted to sleep. The girls were worried about the mystery roommate who disappeared and once they got home found out she was asleep in her bed. The guys were trolling around keeping an eye out for Mattox, the situation had been shared with everyone and the whole house was pissed over it. Then there was the redhead that was once again following me and I finally had to tell her it wasn't going to happen.

She didn't take it well

When I walked into my room and saw Riley still asleep and so small in my bed I really wanted to climb in with her. I wanted to hold her for a bit but I didn't think it was a good idea. Not wanting to scare her or freak her out, I did the next best thing I slept on the floor.

Waking up today with a cramp in my neck I stretched out kicking the nightstand and hitting my foot hard on the wood. Cursing, I jerk my foot back and look around the room. The dress and shoes were gone. Quickly, I sat up looking at my bed and saw she was gone.

"Damn it!" I muttered and crawled off the floor into my bed. I can smell her perfume on my pillow and inhale deeply.

I won't get back to sleep. I know I won't. I'm already thinking about how I can find her again. I've got a name now, that's something to go on. Grabbing my laptop from the nightstand I pull up the student registry and enter her name. "Riley" it's all I've got but better than nothing. It's then I found out just how common her name is.

"Well shit!" It wasn't good news. There's over a hundred students here with that name. I can't go by what year she is, I don't know that. I can't go by what dorm she's in. I don't know that either.

I should have snuck a look at her phone, I might have gotten Roan to break the code and get her information. I didn't think of it last night. Too late now.

Switching gears I open my email and scroll through the messages. Family sent pictures of the game, friends sent me jokes, reminders of events happening this week and mom just sent a message to say hi. I took the time to email her back first. She misses all of us when we're at school. I think having an empty house is hard on her. She has dad, but he's busy working a lot and mom has her gardening and art class she's taking. It's just not the same as having us around.

Grabbing a bottle of water and a couple slices of cold pizza I set up at my desk and get to work on my studying. I've got a quiz this week, a paper due and I have to do a few office hours for my professor as agreed. That doesn't include my gym time, practice and the game. It's a packed week already and if I have to tutor anyone it's only going to be crazy. Calculating my time I figure I can tutor twice this week after I finish practice.

I hope no one needs me.

The house is awake and my cousins are back from hanging out and mooching breakfast off the girls. Coming into my room they fall on my bed or kick back in the chair as I turn to look at them. They look well fed and hung over.

"So? Did the mystery of the missing roommate get solved?" I ask as Sawyer raids my fridge. Tossing a soda to Landon then to me he flops into the chair.

"Yep, she bolted before she even came in. Emery said they pushed her to go and probably went too far. Hunter's feeling pretty guilty about it. But the girl's fine." Opening his drink he sucks it down.

"What if Mattox had gotten her though?" Landon questions thinking out loud. "She could have been hurt."

"You're right. She could have been but she wasn't. If we had known she wanted to leave, one of us could and would have taken her home. We didn't. I'm sure Hunter will talk to her. She's safe, that's what matters." I remind him. It's not like we left her somewhere on her own.

"Speaking of wounded women, how's Mattox's victim this morning?" Sawyer asks, making me cringe at his use of words.