Page 57 of When the Walls Come Down
The only thing on my mind was Maggie.
“We’ll be right back.”
He nodded remorsefully.
I didn’t know what I was walking into. I had no clue if she’d even taken it the way he’d said it, or—God willing—maybe she hadn’t even caught it at all. But it didn’t matter. I had to check on her. Had to make sure she was okay. Friends or fucking not, I cared a lot about that girl, and she didn’t deserve more stress on top of the week we’d had.
I marched to the back where the facilities were, but it could have been straight into Hell for all I cared.
Outside the women’s restroom, I leaned against the wall and waited.
Less than a minute later, she came out and froze when she saw me across from the doorway. She didn’t say a word, but her head fell to the side as a frown bent the corners of her pouty mouth.
I did the only thing I knew to do, the only thing that actually felt right the whole fucking day. I opened my arms to her.
Without hesitation, she walked into them and wrapped hers around me as tight as ever.
I held on to the moment.
I held on to the feeling of this woman in my embrace.
I held on to her, and I’d be damned if I ever wanted to let go.
Eventually, she started to pull away, but before she was gone, I pressed her against me one last time and she let me. One short embrace wasn’t nearly enough. I’d always want more.
She mumbled into my chest, “I know we’re not—”
“Shhh.” I fought the powerful urge to kiss the top of her head. Her hair smelled like my fucking pillow at home. “Friends are allowed to hug. That’s just a fact. You can look it up. It’s in the Bible or something.”
Ever so lightly, she chuckled against me. “Okay. But just when it’s really, really important.”
“Fine.” I’d take whatever I could get.
“It’s just sometimes it’s a lot. I’m out here alone. And I know he didn’t mean anything by what he said, but…”
I lifted her chin. My eyes met hers, and just like she’d told me once, I didn’t hold back. “I will never let you be alone. I know neither of us want what’s going on at work like it is, but you have got to believe me. I will always be here for you when you need me. No matter what.”
My heart pounded, and, Christ, it would have been the easiest thing in the world to press my mouth to hers. I wanted to. I’d never wanted anything more than her lips against mine at that moment, but I couldn’t cross the line. Especially since I’d been the one to draw it earlier that week.
I added, mostly to keep my lips occupied, “You are not alone. You will always have me.”
Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, but that fiercely strong woman held them back. “Thanks, Shane.” She gazed at my lips, and I was almost to the point of no turning back.
We swallowed at the same time, less than a hair’s breadth away from connecting.
She shifted deeper into my front. “You’re the best friend a girl could ever ask for.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, and my forehead fell against hers. She chuckled too.
“You’re gonna kill me,” I admitted.
“Let’s go eat.”
Both of us knew that the moment—or the almost moment—had passed. We released our holds on one another, and she started toward the bar. When I didn’t immediately follow, she spun on her heel.
“You coming?” she asked.
“I’m pretty fucking close to it, Peach. So, if you don’t mind, I’m gonna take a minute.” I waved at my tented pants.
She blushed, and I would have given away all my worldly possessions to haul her gorgeous ass down the street, up the stairs, and straight into my bed.
“Okay, I’ll be up front when you’re…” She bared her teeth. “Well, I’ll be up front.”Thankfully, by the time I got back to our seats, Chris had already apologized and our dinners had been brought out.
We ate.
We teased.
We even borderline-flirted, but it wasn’t anything we could help. It was what it was, and somehow, we’d just have to let it be.
However, I was just a man. So, when dinner was done, I let her leave Two Ships first. Mostly so I wouldn’t be tempted to invite her over, but also so I could make sure she got home. A minute or two after she’d walked out the door, I followed and made sure she got to the building all right. Then I hung back and let her take the elevator up before I went in.
By the time I got to my apartment, I could lightly hear her through the wall, so I knew she’d made it in safely.
Like a schlump, I lugged myself to my bedroom and yanked off my shoes and all my clothes. I hopped into the shower and palmed my dick like an eighteen-year-old. I thought about how close I’d been to her lips. How soft they’d been the last time I’d tasted them. How wet she’d been under my touch only days ago, in my bed, in her bed, hell, even on her couch that one time last Sunday.
