Goosebumps broke out across my arms and my desire for this man peaked. With his arms still around me, I decided to give in to the feeling. Tilting my head, I parted my lips and leaned closer, anticipation making my stomach flutter as our lips got closer and closer. I closed my eyes and waited to feel his mouth pressed against mine.
Before we made contact Bones released his hold on me and stepped away.
I nearly lost my balance again, barely managing to keep myself upright as I suddenly felt cold without his body heat pressed against me. My eyes flew open, and I stared at him, confused.
The warmth I’d seen in his eyes a moment ago was gone, replaced by a stoic expression.
“What …” I trailed off.
“I can’t do that with you.”
Humiliation seeped into my bones. I held out my hand. “Give me my keys then.”
He did, placing my keys into my palm. I closed my fist around them and kept my spine ramrod straight as I turned away, trying to cling to my pride as I headed into my apartment building. I didn’t know how he planned to get home, but I didn’t care at the moment. All I could focus on was how embarrassed I felt. I never should have tried to kiss him. I thought he felt a connection between us too, but I must have been wrong.
Yet, as I stepped into the building, I turned around and saw him standing there, watching me quietly. Was he making sure I got inside alright?
I wasn’t going to stick around and ask him. I needed to be alone. When I stepped into the apartment, Roscoe met me with an excitedly wagging tail.
At times like this, I wished I had someone in my life to help me with these kinds of issues. All I wanted to do right now was lay down to sleep and try not to dwell on my faux pas. Instead, I hooked Roscoe’s leash onto his collar and led him out into the courtyard. Once he was done with his business, I sat down on the couch and picked up the television remote. I needed something to help distract me from what just happened. All I could think about was the way my stomach dropped when I opened my eyes and realized Bones was rejecting my kiss.
I felt foolish and the fact I was sobering up wasn’t helping the situation.
Settling on one of the Harry Potter movies playing on TV, I patted the couch beside me for Roscoe, who jumped up and settled onto the cushion. Placing a hand on his head, I petted him absently while I focused on the flatscreen mounted on the wall. Within minutes, my eyelids felt heavy. Pulling a fleece blanket off the back of the couch, I tucked it around my bare legs. I felt so cozy that I almost forgot how lonely I was. Before long, I happily succumbed to my tiredness.
The sound of pounding on my apartment door followed by Roscoe’s deep bark woke me with a gasp. Pressing a hand to my chest, over my heart, I sat up on the couch, momentarily confused. Then, everything from the night before came rushing back.
The drinking. The pool game. The attempted kiss.
Oh, god.
I’d been so stupid. This was why I didn’t drink much. I usually regretted doing something stupid the next day. My lack of regular drinking also made me a complete lightweight, so it was a lose-lose situation.
The loud knocking rang out again.
I groaned as my head pounded in time to the rapping on the door. Rubbing my temples, I got to my feet, hurrying to it, so I could stop the sound. Pulling it open with a glare on my face ? I was prepared to rip whoever stood on the other side?a new one.
Shock made me rigid as I took in the sight of Bones standing there.
He held a paper bag in one of his hands and a drink carrier with two coffees in the other.
“What are you doing here?” I asked when I found my voice again.
“Breakfast,” he said curtly, holding up the bag.
The smell of something sweet reached me. “You … brought me breakfast?” I asked, not quite able to believe this was happening. Why would he come back here?
“You’re not real quick on the uptake in the mornings, are you?” he asked, the ghost of a smile flickering across his face, so I knew he was being playful instead of snarky.
I scowled, but opened the door wider and stepped aside. I wouldn’t say no to free breakfast, even if I still felt mortified by my behavior last night.
Bones walked in, taking a look around.
I wondered what he was thinking as he took in the small space. It wasn’t much, but it was more than enough for me and Roscoe.
“Nice place,” he said. “It’s very … you.”
I glanced at the modern art on the walls and the black couch where I’d slept last night. Everything here was picked out by me personally and I felt proud of it. “Thanks,” I said. “You want to come into the kitchen while I run to the bathroom?”