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“I want to.”
“You don’t have shoes on,” she points out.
I shrug. “It’s not raining. Come on.” I catch hold of her hand and don’t let go until we reach her car. Raising my hands, I frame her face. “I’m kissing you goodbye,” I warn, then her soft, warm lips are parting underneath mine. Sweeping inside, my tongue connects with hers, and I have to remind myself this is it for us. I need to remember this final moment. How sweet she tastes and how her supple body is curved against me.
When her hand presses against my chest, I draw back. I clear my throat and say, “Drive safe.” I slowly open her door.
She lowers into the driver’s seat and smiles up at me. “I will. It’s been nice getting to know you, James.”
“You as well, Mae. Take care.”
“You too.”
I close her door and move off to the side, watching as she starts her car and backs out of my driveway. She gives a quick toot of her horn as she drives off. My eyes stay on her vehicle until it disappears from sight.
As I walk back toward my house, I can’t help but wish she had stayed longer. Then again, with a golden goddess like Mae, I’m not sure I’d be satisfied no matter how much time we had.
CHAPTER 7
MAEVE
My drive home passes in a blur, as if my car is on autopilot. I’m worried that my whirling thoughts were such a distraction, but I’m thankful I made the twenty-minute drive safely.
I let myself in the front door and lock up as quietly as possible. It’s almost midnight, and I don’t want to wake Niall or Lucy.
Removing my heels, I carry them to my bedroom and put them on the closet floor. I turn the lamp beside my bed on and set my phone and keys down on my nightstand. I grab a t-shirt and pajama bottoms from my dresser and change into them. I bury my torn underwear in the trash, my cheeks flushing as I remember what happened to them. I shove my discarded clothing into the hamper that, as always, is filling up quicker than I’d like. If only my bank account had the same problem.
Moving down the hall to the bathroom, I run through my nightly routine as quickly and noiselessly as possible.
After giving my damp face one final swipe with a towel, I return to my room and shut myself inside.
I slip underneath my dark-purple comforter and then turn off the lamp.
Lying on my back in the dark makes it easier to call up James’s face. Sweet Jesus, he’s one handsome man. The threads of silver peppered through his brown hair and the stubble on his chin only add to his appeal.
For the first time in my life I understand why a man with “daddy vibes” is so hot. When he told me to be careful because I might get my ass spanked, it turned me on more than I was willing to admit. I’m a little sad I didn’t get to experience his palm meeting my flesh. I also didn’t get much of a chance to explore his body. My hands never even made contact with his dick.
Talk about a travesty!
There didn’t seem to be a time when he wasn’t focused on me, and now I’ve missed my opportunity.
Why God? Why?
Oh well. I can’t go back in time and grab his dick. But at least I’ll have the memories from tonight to help me through the lonely nights.
* * *
My cell phone vibrates on my desk at work, pulling my attention away from the email I’m currently responding to. Glancing at the screen, I see a message. I finish typing my reply before opening the text.
Sheryl: I’m home today. Try not to miss me.
Are you playing hooky, or are you really sick?
I’m sick as a dog. I think it’s the flu.
What can I do to help?
Send a handsome doctor with the good drugs.