She was leaning close to me, and her leg was pressing into mine. I realized that somebody had refilled our glasses, at least once, and we’d both had too much to drink. My longing for her was about to overwhelm me.
“Excuse me,” I murmured, getting to my feet. “I need to go to the restroom.”
In reality, I needed to get away before I kissed her and ruined our relationship of boss and receptionist.
12
Amelia
I felt my pulse flutter, and I watched Carter stride somewhat unsteadily across the room to the men’s room.
“Hey. Amelia!” Tanya called me. “What’s up?”
I realized I was staring after Carter, and snapped my head sharply around, focusing on her. My body was tingling, and I knew how perilously close I’d come to kissing Mr. Know-it-all over there.
Except he isn’t Mr. Know-it-all. He’s not arrogant at all. He’s actually really sweet.
Hearing his story, about how he’d looked after his little brothers following their parents’ death, moved me to see him in a new light.
That was all it was, I told myself firmly. I felt sorry for him.
I sat straighter. I hadn’t noticed how much I’d been leaning in towards Carter as I listened to his story. I blushed, worried that somebody might have noticed.
“Tanya,” I said firmly. “We should go.”
Tanya blinked, clearly having trouble hearing me. I looked at her, wide-eyed. She tensed and nodded.
“We should go,” she said to Mark. She reached behind her to find her jacket, and I saw her hesitate as she tried to put her arm in. I realized that I wasn’t the only one feeling intoxicated. We hadn’t had much at all. I think I’d only had three glasses of wine, but I felt tired when we arrived, and the drinks were not helping me focus.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” I said.
Feeling uneasy, I stepped my way between the tables, as careful as I could. I did not want to stumble or fall. I made myself walk purposefully to and then into the restroom. I had to gather myself and my thoughts.
I worried that I was taking too long in there, so I washed my hands at the tiny basin and headed out the door. I stepped straight into a man.
It was Carter.
“Whoa,” he murmured. “Sorry, I was just…”
We looked at each other. My body was pressed to his. I could feel his hardness against me, the jeans doing nothing to hide the fact that he was aroused. I was, too. I could smell him and his cologne and warmth. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him as he held me.
His mouth, warm and soft, descended on mine. He parted my lips gently with his tongue, and I closed my eyes, drawing him closer to me.
His body was tense and strong, and I reveled in feeling his back with my hands as I drew him closer. He pushed against me, and the feeling was so good, I pulled his body even closer.
His tongue felt mine, tender and probing and overwhelming me with desire. I shut my eyes and licked his tongue back, feeling him fill my mouth even as his body bent me back, pushing me against the wall.
I gasped and held him, and I could feel my hips wanting to push into him as he continued with his kisses. I needed him badly. I was shaking.
“Hey! What’re you doing in here?” a man shouted. “This side’s gentlemen only.”
The sound was enough to make us both tense up. I felt my cheeks flood with color as I looked around. My back was still against the wall. I straightened up, feeling embarrassed as Carter leaned back.
“Easy, man. We’re just leaving,” he said. He looked at me, his expression as surprised as I was. I could barely talk.
“See you,” I said.
I turned around and ran out of the restroom area.
The door opened straight into the main room. The noise of the bar enveloped me and, for once, I was glad. It served to shut out the sound of my beating heart and my uncontrollable emotions. I went to the table hurriedly, threading my way through the crowded space. I found Tanya, who was sitting on the bench still, her phone in her hand.
“Tanya,” I said. “Can we go? Now?” I looked around at the restroom, feeling frightened. I half-expected Carter to burst into the main room and fire me on the spot. I had no idea why I felt that; he was as responsible as I was, but I needed to get out of there and fast.
“Sure thing,” Tanya said soothingly. She stood up. “Come on. We can wait outside if we want.”
“Outside?” I nodded, already following her to the entrance. “Tanya, I can’t drive.”
“Fine,” she smiled at me. Her eyes were shining, and I realized she, too, was not exactly sober. “That’s why I called a taxi. Better safe,” she added. She sounded very tired as she moved to the exit.
“Great,” I muttered. I trailed her to the front and joined her on the sidewalk. It was really cold outside, and I drew my coat around me, shivering. I couldn’t stop thinking about the hot kiss.
“Hey, Amelia,” Tanya said gently, as we piled into the back of the taxi, coats held tight around us. “What’s up? You’re shaking. Did you see that guy?” She knew a bit about Luke and my past—as much as I wanted her to.
“No,” I whispered.
I shut my eyes. I didn’t want to feel like this, but at the same time, it felt so good.
“I kissed him,” I whispered.
“You kissed who?” Tanya sounded shocked. “Not that guy, I hope. Because I’ll beat him up myself if he dared lay a hand on you! The nerve!”
“Not him.” I chuckled weakly. Tanya’s threatening behavior, which touched me deeply, suddenly turned playful. “Carter Brand.”
“Carter Brand!” She yelled and grinned ear to ear. “Oh, Amelia! Great stuff.”
“Tanya,” I whispered, pointing to the driver, who was doing a great job of listening without saying a word. “Please. Not here.”
“Fine,” she nodded, then grinned. “That’s so great! I’m pleased.”
“It’s not like we’re going to start seeing each other or anything,” I said firmly.
She just looked at me.
We got to her place, and she went up ahead of me, singing softly. She grinned, again, and waved goodnight as she went into the shower. I sat down on the couch, feeling exhausted.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss. It was like my mind was stuck. The more I tried to forget about it, the more my body ached to feel his hard body pressed against mine again.
“Come on, Amelia,” I told myself. “He’s a guy. You know you can meet other men.” I hadn’t really had much interest in guys lately, mainly due to being stalked by my mom’s friend. I had forgotten what it was like to feel that excitement and desire, I reminded myself.
I have never felt anything like this in my life.
I recalled the way his lips had tasted mine, his tongue sliding into mine, the tasting, and touching. I thought about his powerful body and how I wanted him. That kiss was different from the other kisses that had usually been clumsy or hasty. I could not help but think how sweet it was exploring with Carter tonight. I was aroused.
Tanya came out of the shower. I heard her go across the floor, and then a creak as she sat down on the bed. A few moments later, I heard her lie down and roll over. She was probably already asleep.