AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And you have furniture,” he joked. “We used to just sit on fold-out chairs and watch the TV he had on the floor in the middle of the room.”
I pulled out the cork, and Chris held each glass for me as I filled them up.
“Boys will be boys, I guess,” I said.
I placed the bottle on the table and sat on the empty cushion beside him.
Our legs were close enough to touch.
Chris leaned back and gulped his glass. He made a face. “Goddamn, this is sweet.”
“Just the way I like it,” I said.
He grinned. Being close to him again like this made me feel excited even if a part of me was still distraught over what happened today. He seemed to remember too as his smile slowly faded. He brushed a piece of hair behind my ear and cupped my cheek.
“How are you?” he asked. “Do you need to talk about today?”
The smile on my face felt frozen as the rush of emotions came flooding to the surface. “Honestly? I don’t know.” I shook my head. “Being in that hospital again reminded me of Mom and Gramma. The long hours waiting to hear what would happen to one of the most important people in my life. It was triggering.”
He nodded, listening intently.
I shook my head. “It sucks, you know. Because it had me thinking about what would happen to me if Grampa died? How would I run the bookstore by myself? Would Sean and I fight over his house? Would we still get together for Sunday dinner? Or would Sean even stay in the city? Would I be left all alone in this world that takes away the people we care about the most when we least expect it?”
My voice broke on the last sentence, and I realized I was rambling.
A few tears escaped my eyes, and Chris brushed them away with his fingers before I could move. His gaze was so severe and intense as he watched me.
I felt naked. Exposed.
I didn’t want to be the only vulnerable one right now. I wanted to feel what I felt earlier when I was in his arms standing in my office. I didn’t think and just acted, quickly closing the distance between us to wrap my arms around him in a tight hug.
He hugged me back just as fiercely. “I know you’re still shook up, but he really is going to be okay,” he said softly.
I lifted my face. The soft look in his eyes, and the way his gaze flicked down to my lips, was all it took for me to press my lips against his.
I gave him a peck first, experimenting with how far he would let me go. When I pulled back, his focus was on my lips. I took his wine glass and placed it on the table next to mine. I moved quickly, leaning back in and kissing him again. I savored the feeling, wanting more.
“Sav,” he whispered, and I didn’t know if he was encouraging me or warning me. I just wanted to forget everything.
Chris matched my intensity, sliding his fingers into my hair and tilting my head to caress my tongue with his. I whimpered, pressing myself against him. My arms wrapped around his neck, and I moved to straddle his lap.
As quickly as it started, it was over.
I was on the couch alone with Chris was standing above me, breathing heavily. The guilt in his eyes made me realize how stupid I’d just been.
How was it possible that this was happening again? How could I have made the same mistake twice?
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
He shook his head. “No, Sav. Don’t be sorry. It’s my fault.”
God, I was like all the other women who pined after him. All the other women waited for their turn. I didn’t know if he was currently dating anyone, but I wasn’t dumb enough to think any of this classified as an exclusive relationship.
“It’s okay. You can go if you want,” I said, void of emotion.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I don’t want to go, Sav. I don’t want to leave you here alone. We just—”
“You don’t owe me anything,” I said, forcing a smile as I looked up at him. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Seriously. I’m fine. I’m just feeling emotional right now, so it’s probably best if you go.”
