“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to grab you like that.”
“Oh.” She lifted her chin. “Well, I’m not.”
I blinked at her. This gorgeous, unbelievably lovely girl wanted… me? I hand my hands against the wall, turned away from her. I was holding onto the crumbling plaster for dear life.
“Michelle…”
She stepped closer.
“Don’t.” I warned, but she didn’t listen.
“Why not?”
“I don’t think I can control myself right now.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
“So, don’t.”
With a groan I was on her, swinging her around and pushing her against the wall. Then I went to town. My lips were on hers. My tongue was in her mouth. My hands found her ass and squeezed.
Jesus Christ, she felt good!
And so help me God, she kissed me back almost as frantically. I had a feeling if I yanked her jeans down and pulled out my cock, she’d bend over the boxes and let me do all the dirty things I’d been dreaming about since the moment I met her.
This was bad. Dangerous. I wasn’t going to be satisfied with a quick fuck. I’d demand more. Take more. And she had no idea the fuck-storm I wanted to unleash on her.
I shoved myself away from her.
“You are my employee. I can’t do this.”
Her mouth opened. Her gorgeous, hot, wet mouth that I wanted my tongue back inside. I balled my hands into fists and tried to control myself.
“Mom?”
My head jerked to the side to see Paton watching us. She must have woken and come downstairs looking for her mom. The door to the stock room was barely ajar, but she could see.
“You two should go home.” I turned sideways and ran past the kid, worried about the enormous tent in my pants. I shouted over my shoulder. “Shorty, walk these two to their car on your way out.”
“Coming, boss!”
I took one last look at Michelle before I turned the corner. Her beautiful eyes were bright even in the dim light of the hallway. They were shiny with unshed tears.
I’d already ruined everything.
I’d already hurt her.
That’s how destructive I was. I’d hurt the loveliest woman I’d ever met. I’d already lost her.
Deep pain tore through my body as it hit me. Two kisses. That was all I was going to get. And she’d probably leave the Jar high and dry because I couldn’t control my damn self. Not that I cared about that. I just didn’t want to be without her.
She’d leave me.
I knew I deserved it. I was no good.
I cursed and turned away.
Chapter Thirteen
Michelle
“Are you okay, mom?”
I nodded, forcing a smile. I was driving on autopilot back to the motel. We checked in every night since we were paying cash.
They wouldn’t hold a room for us without a credit card, which I did not have.
But soon, it wouldn’t matter. As long as that apartment was still there, we’d have a home. We would be safe at last.
Pate would be safe.
I called every few days to check. So far, it was still vacant. I clenched the steering wheel. We were so close to being okay… truly okay for the first time in years.
And now I’d gone and ruined it all.
If only I hadn’t given into temptation. If only I hadn’t kissed Mason. The man was my boss. I was sure he had his pick of women. I was just one of many.
I’d acted like a tramp. Embarrassed myself. I’d practically begged him to keep going.
But he had stopped it. He hadn’t wanted me. At least now I knew there was no hope.
I forced my hands to relax. We were almost there. I could take a long shower and lick my wounds.
Mason had not been mean. This was worse, though. He just didn’t feel the way I did.
And now I was stuck here, wanting him and knowing he didn’t feel the same.
He probably felt sorry for me. The sad little waitress with holes in her shoes and the kid with no daddy. He probably thought I was homely. Pathetic. Weak.
I wiped a tear off my cheek.
Not in front of the kid, Shell!
Never cry in front of the kid.
“Maybe we’ll go to that pancake place in the morning. Sound good?”
Paton nodded happily. She was doing well here. As soon as we had an address she was starting school. I had to remember what mattered. Running was not an option, no matter how painful the situation was.
Besides, it was just a little embarrassment. I would just give Mason his space. Not intrude. Not throw myself at him again.
Lay low.
We pulled into the motel parking lot. Pate took my hand and yawned, padding along beside me. I knew she was more than ready for bed.
“We’ll take a double if you have it.”
The attendant chewed on a toothpick, giving me an odd look.
“Sorry, we’re full up.”
I stared at him, my stomach dropping. This place? In the middle of nowhere?