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I laugh because there is a huge part of me that hopes that she’s right. “Love you, Roe.”
“Love you too, Em. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night.” I end the call and turn off the light, making my way back to my bed in the dark. I lie awake for hours, despite my exhaustion, trying to make sense of what’s happening. I don’t come up with a good explanation before sleep claims me.
ChapterThree
Roman
My heart feels like a bass drum beating in my chest. What the fuck am I doing? I can’t have her, no matter how bad I wish I could. Forrest was seconds away from catching us doing— Fuck me. I don’t know how far I would have let it go.
I grip my fists at my sides, my hands still warm from the touch of her soft skin.
Emerson has dominated my mind since that night. The one that I try not to think about but fail every damn day. It’s a constant loop that I can’t seem to turn off. What’s worse is that I don’t really want to turn it off. The way her skin flushed, the way her fingers worked her pretty pink pussy. Fuck me, I never want to forget that night, but for my sanity, I know that I need to.
Forrest is one of my best friends.
The two of them didn’t have the best home life, and he’s been her pseudo-parent for as long as I can remember. I’m ten years her senior, and I don’t do relationships. I never have, and he knows that. So, for him to find out that I did what I did, yeah, he’d kick my ass, and I’d have to let him.
“Thanks for meeting her, man,” Forrest says. He walks to the fridge and pulls out a beer. He offers me one, and I wave him off. I definitely don’t need to be drinking right now. I’m already making questionable decisions sober.
The last time I drank around her… yeah, it’s best I stay sober. “No problem,” I say, my voice gruff. I clear my throat. “Not that I needed to. You were literally right behind me.” I’m annoyed, but I try to keep it out of my voice. I’m not frustrated that he asked me. I’m irritated that he showed up when he did. His timing saved me from crossing yet another line where Emerson is concerned, but I’m still pissed that he did.
I really wanted to cross that fucking line.
It wasn’t a problem. In fact, I’d been wracking my brain trying to think of a reason to stop by here tonight just to get a glimpse of her. As soon as I found out she was coming home today, seeing her was all I could think about.
Who am I kidding? I’ve been thinking about her far longer than just after our little tryst when she was home for spring break. That was just the first time I acted on what I’ve been feeling. I didn’t know how she would react, and I knew it was wrong, but I was still jonesing for a fix of Emerson, and the alcohol dulled my decision-making skills. Let’s go with that.
Thankfully, the client Forrest was working on was a pussy. He insisted he was man enough for a full sleeve on his first round of ink ever. Forrest tried like hell to talk him out of it, but the big man insisted he could handle it.
He couldn’t.
Normally, that would annoy the fuck out of me, but he’s not my client, and it worked out for me in the end. His need for continued multiple breaks was a win for me. I got to see her. To touch her warm, soft skin, and— No. I shake out of my thoughts. I have to shut this down.
Now.
Permanently.
“I wasn’t sure how much longer we were going to go. He pussed out and scheduled another visit in two weeks. I didn’t hide my irritation that he didn’t listen to a word I said before we started. I should have refused to do it. Lesson learned.”
I chuckle. “I know you tried to warn him.”
“Yeah, I should have put my foot down, but it is what it is.” He shrugs.
“Well, I’m going to head home,” I tell him.
“No need to rush off. You sure you don’t want a beer?” He raises his again to entice me.
“Nah, I’m tanked. I’m going home to shower and crash.”
“All right, man. I’ll see you at the shop tomorrow. I’m planning on a little get-together this weekend so Em can catch up with everyone. Probably Saturday after we close down the shop.”
I nod. “I’ll be here.” I deserve a pat on the back for keeping my voice even and not giving anything away.
With a wave, I start for the front door. I pause at the bottom of the stairs. My eyes search for her even though I know she’s not just going to be standing there waiting for me to pass by. Pissed off that I’m desperate for even the smallest glimpse of her, I quietly close the door behind me as I step outside. I tell myself it’s the polite thing to do, but in all reality, I don’t want to wake her if she’s sleeping.
In my truck, I stare up at what I know to be her bedroom window. It’s dark, so I know she’s sleeping. She’s tucked in safe and sound, where I can’t get to her. It’s what’s best, but my hands itch to touch her, to watch her bring herself pleasure. My cock thickens, just like it always does when I think about that night. Ignoring it and the pain of the pressure of my cock against my zipper is causing, I back my truck out of the drive and head toward my own place across town.
