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I moved around the counter, resting my hands on her shoulders. I kneaded her tight muscles and reassured her, “You’ll figure it out.”
She let out a breathy moan, leaning against me. “That feels so good.”
I kept going until she’d all but melted into me. I liked her this way, languid and relaxed. Would she taste as sweet as the last smoothie we made? Or would she be spicy like the ones with cayenne pepper?
I paused my manipulations but didn’t let go of her. Her skin was soft and warm under my fingers. Her head tipped slightly to the side as if inviting me to kiss the skin there. I wanted to cradle her head, turning her in my arms to take her mouth…to taste pineapples and strawberries and Remi.
Instead, I stepped back. This wasn’t a date. I was helping her out. We were acquaintances, not even friends.
She turned to face me, a sad smile on her face.
Unable to resist the flyaway hair from her messy bun, I tucked it behind her ear. Her cheeks were flushed, but whether it was from the work she’d done or my proximity, I wasn’t sure.
I want to kiss her.
The tightness in my chest warned me it was a bad idea. Kissing her was crossing that line I’d drawn between us so many years ago. I’d chosen her sister, which hadn’t been a conscious decision as Remi was too young for me back then.
Now, she was grown up and irresistibly enticing.
An image of her sister, taller with darker hair, popped into my mind, and I shook my head to clear it.
Remi moved to clean up the mess we’d made on her counter. There was powder on the floor and pieces of fruit, remnants of milk, and juice all over the counter. I should offer to stay and help her clean up, but if I stayed any longer, I’d lose control. I’d lift her onto the counter, step between her legs, and show her what I’d been hiding.
I wanted her.
Gesturing toward the door, I said, “I should get going. I told Max I’d meet him for a drink.”
I wasn’t even sure what time it was, and I technically didn’t have plans. But I needed to get away from her, or I’d do something I’d regret.
“No worries. Thanks for helping. I really appreciate it.”
I grabbed my uniform shirt, my fingers stumbling over the buttons as I watched her work. “Let me know when you need help again. I’ll be here if I can.”
Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked up from her sweeping. “I’d like that.”
I couldn’t stop the twitch of my lips. I’d like it, too. I wanted to spend more time with her, no matter how precarious of a tightrope I was walking.
I pulled open the door to Max’s Bar & Grill, where only a few people sat at the bar, watching baseball on the flat-screens.
Max saw me approach. “I was just about ready to head out.”
I sighed. “I don’t want to keep you from Zoe.”
I remembered him talking about how he needed to make his relationship a priority over work. I didn’t want to be the reason he got in trouble.
“I always have a few minutes for a friend. What’s up?”
I sat on the barstool, the weight of what transpired between Remi and me hitting me hard. Guilt slid down my spine.
Max’s brow furrowed. “Did something happen?”
Realizing he meant the break-ins, I was quick to reassure him. “Nothing to do with that.”
“Then what is it? You don’t normally stop by for personal calls.”
Thinking back, I realized Max was right. I stopped by on official police business or to keep my promise about keeping an eye on the bar for him. “I haven’t been a great friend, have I?”
Max poured water for me, sliding the glass across the counter. “You won’t hear a complaint from me.”
