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When I finally collapse against the cushions, I’m boneless. Light-headed. Blissful. Nolan climbs onto the couch beside me, leaning against the cushions and gathering my naked body up into his arms.
His chest is pounding like a drum and his body is feverishly hot. Also, there’s a rod of steel in his pants, begging for my attention.
But when I reach for his buckle, willing, ready and able to return the favor, Nolan grabs my hand, placing a kiss on my knuckles. “No, Inez. Tonight is about you.”
“But what if I want to make you feel good, too?” I whine.
“Just holding you like this is all I need right now.” He seems genuinely content to stretch out on this couch with my sweaty limbs draped over his.
This feels so nice but I’m desperate to not get carried away. Because it would be easy to forget our agreement. Just once. Just tonight. Nolan and I don’t have a future beyond this very moment.
I can’t let myself enjoy this cuddling thing, even though it feels so amazing. I could fall for him. So easily. And what would happen then? We can’t be together. His vision for the future doesn’t align with mine.
But when I try to get away from him, Nolan only squeezes me tighter.
“I’m a mess…” I whisper, sweeping a hand over my damp skin. “I’m covered in sweat and other fluids I won’t mention.”
“I don’t fucking care. Let me hold you a little bit longer. Before we have to go back to that stupid ‘just friends’ thing.” He makes air-quotes.
My heart aches. Laughing ruefully, I curl up in his lap like a love-starved kitten and he strokes my hair and whispers sweet things into the curve of my neck. He draws silly shapes on my ticklish skin with his fingertips.
This feels like a slice of heaven. But I’m no fool. I know that hell could be waiting right around the corner. Especially once my interview with Sabrina hits the airwaves.
28
NOLAN
Another Thursday. Another late shift, closing down the bar with Inez.
It’s become our routine over the past few weeks. But it’s not getting any easier, making it through these nights working alone.
Especially when all I can think about is what we did in my office the other night. Damn.
Day and night, I replay our intimate encounter in my mind. I still taste her on my tongue. I still hear the way she said my name. I recall the way she desperately pulled my hair as she came apart with her legs tangled around my head.
But we promised ourselves it would only be one night.
All week, we’ve been trying to act like things are normal between us. At home, we’ve been doing the platonic roommate thing, and she’s jumped at every chance to help me out with Stella.
But here at work, now that all my other employees have clocked out for the night? Things are strained.Every interaction between us only emphasizes how very strong the tension is in the air.
Inez’s interview with Sabrina aired tonight so I was sure to keep the bar’s TV screens away from the entertainment channels.
I’m sweeping up the floors, and Inez is putting away the freshly-washed glassware behind the bar. She’s wearing a strappy little top and a short skirt with schoolgirl pleats. My mind is running wild with all the ways I want to rip her out of that outfit tonight.
While we clean up, I’ve been trying to keep a safe distance so I don’t come across as a creep. But the more I try to keep my cool around her, the more awkward I act. I feel like a pathetic teenager all over again.
Now that I’ve swept nearly every inch of the place, I really need to sweep behind the bar.
“Just gonna get this area behind you,” I say, squeezing around her to sweep under the counter.
“Ope. Sorry.” She slides the wrong way and accidentally bumps into me.
“No worries. My fault.”
She gives me a forced smile as we keep having to move and dance around each other in the tight, shadowy space.
I am going certifiably crazy.
