“To your new place,” I agreed, cracking open the can and tipping my head back to drink.
When I looked back at her, she was slightly flushed. I felt myself ache to take her in my arms. Her eyes, round and wide, were focused on mine.
“Thanks for letting me stay here,” she said again. “I feel… safer.”
“I understand,” I said softly. “And, by the way—if you ever need it, I’d like you to have my number. Here.” I passed her my business card, which had my cell number on it.
“Thanks,” she said. She tucked it into her pocket. “I appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
She looked up at me, and I felt an irresistible urge to take her in my arms and kiss her everywhere. She looked so vulnerable. I had never felt such a strong drive to support and love somebody before—to make everything better for someone.
“At least,” she chuckled weakly, “you can’t shit on me for walking to and from work anymore.”
“No,” I agreed with a grin. “I didn’t mean it, you know. I was harsh, but I just wanted to help and protect you. Admittedly, I’ve been a dick with you.”
She blinked. “Not that much,” she said. She grinned shyly. “Just a bit.”
I laughed. “I shouldn’t have been that way. You have been so great in the office and with our customers. We all agree. You’ve made such a difference in just one week—everything runs so much better now.”
“Really?” she sounded genuinely surprised. Her big eyes held mine. I felt my heart twist, and I now deeply regretted how rude I had been to her for the past few days.
“Really,” I said firmly. “You are honestly the best asset we have. I mean it.”
She held my gaze. I stared into her eyes. I could see the tiny flecks in them, and the way her lips moved when she breathed slow and hesitant. The scent of her was exciting; it was impossible to resist.
I moved, and she moved. I don’t know what happened first, but in what felt like an instant, she was in my arms, and I was pressing my lips fiercely to hers.
She gave a small moan. I drew her against me, wincing with longing as her breasts flattened against my chest. She was so soft, so warm.
My hands moved down her back, and I found her butt. I clasped her to me, and she moved closer. She was sitting on my knee, her lips on mine. I pushed my tongue between her lips and shivered as I felt her body press against my growing cock, moving lightly on me in a way that made me want her desperately.
I held her close, and she moved against me more. My hands held her waist, and I was pushing against her, eyes shut. I began to move my hands across her back, and as my fingers went under her sweater, searching for her skin, the doorbell rang.
“Amelia?” my brother’s voice, bright and cheery, called through the door. “Anybody home?”
16
Amelia
I sprang off the couch, my face flushed and heart thumping. I ran to the door, feeling a mix of naughty and happy. I wanted to laugh because it was just so crazy! I opened the door.
“Guys?” There they were. Mark, Matthew, and Adam were all there at the door. They had flowers, tools, and a cable that they held like gifts.
“We thought we’d help you settle in,” Matthew said. He had the flowers. “This place could do with a bit of work.” He looked around, grinning.
“The TV reception isn’t so good.” Mark gestured with the cable in his hand and pointed at the roof, implying that the cable can connect to a rooftop antenna. “Let me connect this cable to the TV so you can actually watch some TV if you like.”
“And the water pressure could be better,” Adam added. “I don’t know when the water pressure regulator was last checked. I’ll do it now.”
I laughed. “Guys! I don’t know what to say,” I said with delight. “Thank you!” I felt a bubble of joy rise inside me. Never in my life had so many people shown me so much care. I couldn’t believe it.
“No worries,” Mark said suavely. He headed into the living room.
“Bro!” Matthew said, discovering Carter in there. “You’re here too! What brings you to this part of town?”
Carter shrugged. I was in the doorway, watching them, and I tried not to smile. He blushed subtly, but he wasn’t letting them see how embarrassed he was. He straightened his shirt with a nervous gesture. “I was doing some paperwork and just came to check up on Amelia,” he said lightly. “I’m going now.” He strode toward the hallway quickly.
“Oh.” Mark sounded disappointed. “You could stay and mess with the TV, you know.”
We all laughed.
“He’s not much use,” Mark said with a grin as he dropped down to fasten the cable to the small old-fashioned television sitting on a low bench. “We’ll have to finish up without him.”
I stood in the middle of the floor, not sure what to say, as three guys checked my TV, adjusted the water pressure, and generally made things better. The flowers made things prettier. When the work-party had left, I sank onto my bed with a sigh. I closed my eyes.
“Whew.”
It had been a long day and one in which a lot of things had happened. Oddly, in spite of everything, the memory that came back to mind, again and again, was the kiss. I recalled each moment vividly. The strong arms holding me. The hand squeezing my butt. The sound of his heavy breathing as he held me close.
“I want that guy so much it hurts.”
I shook my head.
This was the first time he’d admitted that he thought I was good at my job.
“There’s no telling with some people.”
I stood, still feeling confused. It was six-thirty.
I felt my stomach growl with hunger and realized that I would probably be able to think a bit more clearly if I ate some food. I called the restaurant and asked them to deliver a pizza. I didn’t want to go out. It was getting dark, and for the first time in ages, I felt safe in my own house.
“Nobody knows I’m here.”
I sat down on the couch and felt the first suggestion of freedom that I’d felt since Luke started creeping on me.
“Prime Pizzeria,” the delivery guy said happily as I opened the door for him half an hour later. I took the hot cardboard box and paid him and took it inside. I felt my mouth watering as I sat down for my first meal in my own home.
I must have been more worn-out than I had thought because once I finished dinner, I rolled over and collapsed onto the bed.
A rustling sound woke me. I sat up, wincing at my sore neck. I blinked and looked around. It was pitch dark.
“That’s odd,” I murmured. The last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was being in the kitchen, and I was sure I’d fallen asleep with the lights on. I tiptoed through to the kitchen. Then I heard it again.
There was a clicking sound coming from the front door. It was followed by a scrape, then a rattle. Somebody tried the handle of the door. A rattle followed again. A clink followed, as of something hitting metal stairs.
“Who’s there?” I whispered.
My voice came out barely louder than a rustle. I felt my heart beating. Something rattled and clinked again. There was somebody out there. I couldn’t doubt it now. Somebody had switched off the power. Somebody was trying to get in. My legs had gone stiff from fear, and I couldn’t move. Numb horror held me.