Chapter Ten
ADAM
She’s going to kill me with this innocence, and this desperation to know why I was holding back.
“Julie, I know I joked about taking advantage of you, but I’d be a real bastard to do that.”
She flushed bright red, and then angrily snatched her wrist from me.
“I think you should go. It’s late, and I… I’m... tired. I’m tired.”
I followed her as she strode away from the sofa. I mean, it wasn’t difficult. She probably had to take at least two paces to one of mine. She only came up to my chin. That’s how tiny she was.
I followed her until she reached the doorway, and turned to find me right behind her. She moved to the left, backing up to the wall, as if to let me go past, but I followed her. Reaching down to gently guide her chin up, I leaned close.
“I want nothing more than to touch you… and more… but you’re tired, and you’re upset about your friend. I’d truly be taking advantage of you, and I can’t be that guy. I don’t want to be something you regret later. But don’t think, for one minute, that I’m not fucking interested. If you knew how uncomfortable I’ve been all damn evening, ever since I saw you approach Jeff on the street, you’d know how fucking interested I am.”
She gasped, those soft lips parting, as she stared up at me, those huge dark eyes boring into mine. I’m a fucking goner, I swear.
I leaned closer, closing my lips over hers. She didn’t even hesitate, her body pressing into mine, as she kissed me right back. Her parted lips didn’t resist my tongue, and I took the opportunity to tease her lips and tongue, kissing her in a way I’d never kissed anyone. I don’t normally do the sappy gentle kiss thing. It’s usually more of a desperate mouthfuck. But then… that hadn’t happened in a long time either. Her hands fisted in the fabric of my shirt, and she moaned into my mouth.
I was so close to just lifting her and taking her up to her bed, so I could peel away those adorable fucking fleecy clothes, and sink my cock deep inside her.
Finally, she eased back a little, her small body sliding against my no-longer-dormant cock, as she did.
“Jesus.” I whispered, just fucking lost in this woman already.
“Yeah… exactly. I don’t want it to just be a kiss.” The second she said that, she flinched. It was a visible jerk, and her eyes teared up.
“Hey. What’s going on?” I stroked her cheek, and she leaned into my touch.
“You’re right. I’m being slutty.” She lowered her lashes, as a tear slid down her cheek. What the actual fuck?
“Why do you think that? I didn’t say it. Didn’t think it. Wouldn’t.” I used my thumbs to brush the next tears from her cheeks. Someone had really done a number on her. It was the only thing it could be. Someone had made her feel cheap, and it fucking gutted me. For the first time in a long time, I felt a wave of vicious anger. I mean, one that wasn’t aimed at my ex-wife, and that bastard lawyer of hers.
“Did someone make you feel that way, Julie?” She opened her eyes, and stared at me, tears pooling, almost magnifying her pupils, and making me want to drag her into my lap, and hold her until she stopped.
She swallowed hard, brushing at her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I’m acting like a crazy person, because I’m… I’m…”
“Tired.” I said flatly, starting to wonder if that was just her go-to excuse. She stared back at me, her eyes still wide, and vulnerable.
“I’m going to head off. You lock the door after me, you hear?” I remembered my phone on the table, and went back for it. When I came back, she hadn’t moved, so I grabbed her face in both hands, and leaned down to gently swipe my lips over hers.
“Sweet dreams, little angel.” She smiled, just a little.
“Night Adam.”
I let myself out, and then mentally kicked myself down the fucking path. Little angel? What the actual fuck was that?
**********
JULIE
I watched him leave, regret making my stomach hurt. I hadn’t wanted him to go, but that damn inner voice kept trying to ruin every moment. Why couldn’t I stop beating myself up like that? Because I knew I was a filthy whore? Maybe. But maybe I could be different. With him.
And how ridiculous is that, because I practically threw myself at him, less than two hours after meeting him. And… and he didn’t completely shoot me down. He kissed me, and it was beautiful. He made me feel beautiful.