Holy shit. The bar. I’d made an ass out of myself with Andy. I washed the soap away and ran my fingers through my hair, soaping up my locks as hot water unlocked the recesses of my drunken haze. Darts. Beers. Laughter so loud patrons got up and left. Fuck me, the pranks. The tin foil and the cow shit and all the bullying I’d done in high school. Rolled out for me onto a red carpet as Andy praised me for the asshole I had been.
I saw him rolling on the floor, laughing.
I saw the bartender’s anger as he threw me out.
Oh holy fuck.
When I got home.
My eyes sprang open and I turned the water off. I dried myself off as quickly as I could before barging into my room. I threw on some clothes and made my way to the kitchen, struggling with the fabric as it stuck to my skin. I needed to cook up an apology. I needed to do something to get Michelle in my presence again. I’d been an ass. Holy shit, the things I’d said to her. Tugging at her and stroking her like she was some kind of fucking pet.
Damn it.
The things I’d admitted to her.
I rubbed my eyes as coffee filled the corners of the room. It was almost eleven o’clock, so breakfast was long overdue. Brunch would have to do. I scrambled up some eggs and decided to go a little fancier. I made some savory crep
es and stuffed them with bacon and sausage along with some chopped up peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. I whipped up a light hollandaise sauce to pour over them before making a fruit salad, then sat everything on the table for us to enjoy.
I really hoped Michelle was still around, because I hadn’t heard her since I’d gotten up.
I walked around the house as the smell of food permeated the property. I dipped my head into each room, my heart dropping a little when I didn’t see her. The fireplace room. The living room. The bedrooms. Even the bathroom. But when I finally stepped into the library, I saw her folded up in a chair reading a book.
Her eyes fluttered across the pages, unaware of my presence, and I wondered if she was hiding from me.
“Knock, knock,” I said.
Her eyes panned up to mine, but the look in them was blank.
“So, the asshole from last night has been evicted from the premises, and as a show of goodwill the man left standing has made brunch.”
My eyes danced along her face as I leaned against the doorway, searching for any sign. Anything to tell me that she’d come sit down and eat with me. And the moment that small, delicate smile slid across her cheeks my heart set itself to thumping. Hope sparked in my chest. A hope I hadn’t ever felt in this dark, dreary town. She unfurled herself from the chair and closed her book, then held it to her chest as she made her way for the door.
She slid past me, her thighs barely grazing my jeans.
I followed her to the kitchen, trying to keep my eyes off her swaying hips. And when she sat down, I made sure to pull her chair out for her. I needed to lay it on thick because I’d been an absolute dickhead. I poured her a mug of coffee and she smiled, her cheeks blushing with that perfect tint I was certain matched her pussy.
I shook my head, trying to rid my mind of those thoughts.
They’d gotten me into enough trouble.
“I’m sorry for last night,” I said, as I sat down in front of her.
“You were pretty drunk,” Michelle said.
“That doesn’t excuse my actions. Trust me, I’d blame the drink for what I told you, but the truth is, I do find you very attractive.”
Her fork hit her plate and her eyes whipped up to mine.
“What?” she asked breathlessly.
“You seem shocked. Do you not remember the kiss?”
“Of course I remember it,” she said.
“Does a man kiss a woman like that if he’s not attracted to her?”
“Well, no. I guess.”