AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His arms wrap around me. He pulls me in tight, but I need it tighter. I need him to crush me. I need to be closer. I need to be closer.
It’s like he reads my mind, squeezing me against him until I calm down. He doesn’t say anything as he wipes the remaining tears from my face. We stay like that for a few moments. He doesn’t push me to reveal what’s wrong. He’s just there for me.
I can’t stop myself. I stand on my tiptoes, grabbing the back of his head and pulling his mouth to mine. He pulls me in closer, softly moving his lips against mine. I try to increase the pressure, but he grabs my hips and stops me.
“Addison,” he breathes out in protest, but he doesn’t stop me from pressing my lips against his again.
I reach out and run my hands down his chest to his waistband. He grabs both my wrists in a tight grasp with one hand, cupping my face with the other. “Addison, not like this.”
“Whatever,” I say angrily, pushing him back and trying to leave.
He grabs my arm to stop me. “No! Fuck that!” He yanks me back to his body, picking me up and wrapping my legs around his waist as his mouth collides with mine. He shoves me back against the vending machine, pressing his hips against me to keep me up. His fingers dig into my hair, and his tongue slips into my mouth.
He steps back suddenly, causing my legs to fall back to the ground. “No, dammit!” He lets out an exasperated sigh, kissing my lips one more time. “You make it really hard to be a good person, you know?” he breathes out against my lips.
He takes a couple steps back, eying me the whole time. “I’m going back to my room now. Do you want to sleep there?”
I brush a couple of fingers against my lips, hiding what I think might be a smile. “I probably shouldn’t.”
“No,” he exhales. “No, you probably shouldn’t.”
He grabs a couple dollars out of his pocket and inserts them in the vending machine. He reaches down and grabs the two water bottles, handing one to me. We walk silently back to my door.
His eyes meet mine one more time, trying to make sure I’m okay. I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. He reaches out and brushes my hair behind my ear. “Get some sleep. I’ll be here in the morning.”
I don’t know if he knew that’s what I needed to hear or if it was just something to say. Either way, some of the heaviness lifts from my shoulders. I don’t need to do anything tonight. He’ll be here in the morning. Tonight all I need to do is sleep.
He pulls my head forward, kissing my forehead lightly. “Goodnight, Addison.”
Chapter 16
My phone buzzes on my desk. I use it as an excuse to take a break from work and check my messages. It’s been difficult getting back in the rhythm of things today.
I’m glad as fuck that we decided to take Monday off work, but I’ve had no motivation to be back today. I made Tiff drop by after she got off work on Monday. We spent three hours snuggled up in my bed debriefing. I felt so much better after I vented to her.
I still don’t know what the fuck I’m doing though or what I even want. The only thing I know is I’m irritated that I haven’t seen Declan today. He’s been working in the accounting department the whole morning.
I’m nervous about seeing him though. I’m not exactly sure where we stand. He was casual as ever on the ride back home, but we were also around people so I didn’t know if he was just playing it cool for appearance’s sake. It’s not like he was eager to reach out to me once we got home though, and like I said, radio silence the whole stupid long morning.
Mack:Can I meet you for a coffee after work? I want to talk to you about something, preferably in person but otherwise maybe at least a phone call? It’s not an emergency or anything, so no worries if you’re busy. Just let me know when you have a minute.
My curiosity outweighs my intense desire to go straight home after work and snuggle up with my TV remote, take-out, and a bottle of wine.
Me:Sure! Six o’clock at Vee’s?
Mack:Perfect. See you then!
Nicole gasps. I whip my eyes her way, thinking something is wrong. “Oh my God!” she squeaks. “Declan! What happened to your face?”
I divert my eyes his way and see the bruising around his left eye. He flashes her his charming smile. “Had to fight off all the guys trying to get in to see the beautiful angel working here.”
He gives her a wink, and she throws her head back laughing. She turns my way. “I know he’s not talking about this old grandma, so that must be directed at you, Addy.”
I walk over to the printer to grab the packet of pack slips I printed off. “Definitely no men lined up for me. The last guy I attempted to be with actually physically pushed me off of him.”
Declan plops down in the desk chair across from my desk. The same seat he always chooses to work in even though almost the whole upstairs is empty since accounting moved to the other floor. The desk shouldn’t even be empty. We’ve been short a person for the past six months, but for some reason I haven’t pushed to get that position filled lately.
“Maybe the guy could tell you weren’t in the right state of mind and wanted the first time to be special.”
