Page 60 of Take My Hand

“Yeah, you could.” I didn’t like the idea of her going home on a train late at night—or driving, for that matter, so I second guessed myself. “Why don’t you stay over in our spare room.That way you don’t have to travel home on the train or in the car late at night.”

Maya chuckled. “In your spare room?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t assume anything.” Besides which, I wasn’t sure that I fancied fucking her until she screamed, with my daughter across the landing. Didn’t mean I hadn’t thought about it, a lot. “That will happen when we have more time and a little more privacy.”

“Okay,” she said breathily. “I’m happy with that.”

Instantly, my dick twitched, and I had to readjust myself. Thank the fuck Marco and our other bartender, Dilly, were busying themselves with the lunchtime rush. It was old-age pension day, and, as usual, we had a horde of people aged sixty plus wanting tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches. We always took a delivery of cakes and pastries on a Tuesday as well, and so, without selling much alcohol, it was one of our busiest days. I was lucky to have escaped for a few minutes to call Maya.

“Well, maybe we can discuss that tomorrow,” I suggested. “How does getting here for five sound?”

“Brilliant. If I’m staying over, I’ll drive to you. You sure that’s okay? Maddy won’t mind me staying the night?” She sounded unsure again, and so I couldn’t wait for them to meet. That way, she’d soon realise that everything was going to be fine.

“She will be great about it. I promise.”

“Okay,” she said, exhaling. “Can you message me your address?”

“I’ll do it as soon as we finish on the call.”

“Great.”

Grinning, I puffed out my chest. “I can’t wait to see you.” And I couldn’t. Twenty-four hours was too long.

“See you tomorrow, Will.”

Her honey-toned voice sent a message to my chest and my dick, and it was difficult to end the call. Eventually, though, wedid, and I left my office, messaging her my address, to go and do some work. Marcus was wiping down the bar as Dilly chatted to a couple at their table.

“Hey, sorry about that. It took a bit longer than I thought.”

He shook his head. “No problem. We’ve got it covered. Robbie, helped out with serving food.”

“He turned up on time?”

Marcus had finally had enough of Dylan when he’d been over two hours late on Sunday, and then he’d gone missing for an hour. He eventually found him dealing weed to a bunch of teenagers on our car park, hence Robbie.

“In fact,” Marcus said, turning to throw his wet rag into the small bar sink, “he’s quite good at cooking. He made some great sandwiches.”

I frowned. “A bacon butty is a bacon butty, mate.”

“Yeah but add a bit of rocket and mayo and it becomes something else.” He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows.

“You’re not making something sexual out of a bacon butty, are you?”

“Fuck off. What sort of freak do you think I am.”

“I choose not to answer that one.” I moved along the bar and snagged a glass to pour myself a Coke. My mouth was dry still from the nerves at calling Maya. Once poured, I took a long gulp.

“Hang over?” Marcus asked.

“Nope. Just thirsty.” I looked over his shoulder to see Dilly coming back to the bar. “Hey, Dill, weren’t you off half an hour ago?”

“Yes, but we had a rush on while you were on the phone.”

“Sorry about that.” I scratched the back of my neck, feeling bad that I’d spent almost an hour on the phone to Maya. “Get yourself off now and come in later tomorrow.”

“It’s fine. I’ll save it until I need it.” She gave me a bright smile, running a hand through her short, cropped hair. “I doneed to go now, though—Dan can’t pick the kids up from after-school club, so I need to.”

“Yeah, get going. See you tomorrow.”

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