They were so close now. Less than six inches between them. Close enough that he could see the way her breath caught. Close enough to see the exact moment her eyes dropped to his mouth.
Colin’s hand moved without permission—up to cup her jaw, thumb brushing her cheekbone.
Maren went still.
He could feel her pulse under his fingertips. Fast. Unsteady.
She leaned in and Colin found himself pulled toward Maren. Her lips parted as her eyes went to half-mast. Her mouth would be so soft, her hair tangled in his fingers, her body pressed against his?—
Colin dropped his hand from her cheek and pulled back like he’d been burned. At the same time, Maren jerked away and pulled her knees up like a shield.
“Maren, sorry, I shouldn’t?—”
“Oh God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have?—”
“I don’t want to use you,” they both said at the same time.
They stared at each other for a moment, stunned.
“I feel like I just made everything worse,” Maren whispered.
Colin ran both hands through his hair, every protective instinct warring with the part of him that wanted to close that distance again and finish what they’d almost started. “You didn’t,” he said softly. “You didn’t do anything wrong, I did.”
Because I want to kiss you so badly I can barely breathe. Because you and Juni are breaking down every wall I’ve spent years building and I don’t know how to stop it.
“I just—I can’t do this right now. Not while—” He gestured vaguely toward the hallway. Toward Juni’s room. Toward the entire impossible situation. “Not while you’re vulnerable. It wouldn’t be right.”
Maren looked relieved.
Of course she’s relieved. You’ll be lucky she doesn’t report you to Kyle.
“You’re right.” She unfolded herself from the couch and stood, putting distance between them that felt both necessary and unbearable. “I should—I’m going to go back to bed.”
“Maren. I’m sorry.” Colin stood.
“It’s okay.” She gave him a smile that didn’t quite land. “Really. Let’s just...forget it happened.”
“I can’t do that.” The words were out before he could stop them. “If…you want to report me?—”
Maren froze. “What?Reportyou?”
“For misconduct.”
Her eyes went wide. “You could just as easily report me for being a bad client.”
Now it was his turn to freeze.
“I meant it when I said I don’t want to use you,” she whispered.
Right. Of course. She was vulnerable, reaching out for someone, anyone, for comfort.
And he was convenient.
But the smile she gave him was so genuine.
“You aren’t,” he whispered back, wishing he could tell her more.
“I know.” She sighed. “If things were different. But they aren’t. Goodnight, Colin.” She turned toward the hallway, her bare feet making hardly any sound on the hardwood.
