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Instead of closing the distance between us the way every instinct is demanding that I do, I force myself to retreat. Then, I turn away and stare out the windshield before pulling onto the dark, tree-lined street. My thoughts continue to churn as we head to her apartment.
I can’t believe I came so close to kissing her.
This is exactly what happens when I don’t throw up a wall between us. I can’t trust myself to be alone with this girl for five damn minutes.
Even though I tell myself to stare straight ahead, I can’t stop my gaze from flickering in her direction and soaking in the sight of her next to me. Especially now that her eyelids have feathered closed.
It doesn’t take long before I’m pulling into the lot and parking near the entrance. I cut the engine and swivel on the black leather seat, simply content to watch her sleep. Her head is tilted just a bit, and her mouth is slightly parted.
It’s funny…
Or maybe not.
Most of the time, when Juliette stares at me, there’s a scowl twisting her pretty lips. Tension will vibrate from her in suffocating waves. Right now, the lines of her face are smoothed as if she doesn’t have a care in the world.
The softness makes her look younger.
Heartbreakingly beautiful.
My hand rises to the curve of her cheek before stalling. It’s so damn tempting to stroke my fingers over her bare skin, but I’m afraid to wake her. Or worse, it’ll unleash the monster that lives deep inside me where she’s concerned. It’s taken effort on my part to battle it back all these years and pretend it doesn’t exist.
One touch and…
It would all go up in a burst of flames and smoke.
My hand trembles as I force it to her shoulder before giving her a gentle shake.
“Juliette.” My voice comes out sounding raspier than intended. Almost as if it’s been roughed up with sandpaper.
It takes a moment or two before her eyelids flutter open and her gaze locks on mine. A slight smile tips her lips upward and a softness fills her expression that I never imagined would be aimed in my direction.
“We’re at your apartment.”
She blinks away the sleepiness and breaks eye contact to stare at the building that looms in front of us.
“Oh. Thanks,” she mumbles, sounding as if she’s still half asleep.
My attention gets snagged by a couple of guys jostling one another as they head inside the front entrance. By their obnoxious laughter and slurred voices, it’s obvious they’ve been out partying.
There’s no way I can send her inside on her own.
She fumbles for the door handle, and I exit the vehicle before coming around to the passenger side and popping it open. When she stumbles, I scoop her up into my arms before pressing her against my chest.
Her eyes widen as she squeaks. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure you don’t break your damn neck,” I say with a grunt. The weight and warmth of her feels so damn good.
After her combativeness tonight, I expect nothing less than an argument. Instead, she cuddles against me.
“I’m tired,” she murmurs around a yawn.
“Not a surprise considering how much you were dancing.”
“I don’t remember the last time I had so much fun. I’ll have to thank Carina when I see her.”
Fucking Carina. I knew she was to blame for this.
With Juliette tucked safely in my arms, I stride up the walkway. Once we arrive at the glass door, I carefully shift her around so I can reach out and key in the code. I’ve been here enough times to have it memorized.
