Page 46 of Ride With Me

His lips are soft and pliant when they meet mine. They open on a gasp and I capture his lower, plumper lip between my own and suck just a little instinctively.

A moan leaves his lips and that’s the trigger for common sense to take control of me again.What the hell am I doing? Kissing a man I just met in the dark like he’s something more.

I take a big step back and see him take one tiny step forward to keep his balance. That barely there move makes me want to shove common sense to the back of my mind, but I can’t.

“Sorry,” I say, embarrassed. “I’m so sorry.”

He shifts his gaze down to the floor and I feel like shit instantly. But what can I say to make that look of sadness disappear from his face? To have those baby-blues back on me?

“I’m Hugh,” I repeat, but just keep going this time. Maybe my nervous rambling—something I was sure I outgrew after my growth spurt when I was fifteen, but apparently not—will make him realize that I have no clue what the hell I’m doing. “Andrews. I’m Derek’s agent. I just got in from Buffalo where I was helping out another client with a contract renewal. I got in just an hour ago, and when I arrive so late Derek let’s me crash here.”

“I-uh.” He stutters a bit, but then lets out a big breath and looks at me. “I’ve known Hawk since we were little. We both grew up in Carmel, and they found me today when they were on their way back and gave me a job.”

“A job?” I ask quietly. I want to sound curious and not accusatory, but it’s a big deal for Derek to give anyone a job, and as his agent I should be worried about why he hasn’t told me anything about it. But in reality I’m just hoping it means Ollie’sgoing to become a permanent fixture in his life so I can see him again.

Here.

Wherever.

“Ye-es,” he stutters again, and I take another step back to try and make him feel less uncomfortable. His face goes blank at my movement, so I take the same step back. I really have no idea what I’m doing here, I don’t know what he wants. “I’m going to be Hawk’s assistant, or Derek’s. We haven’t really ironed it out yet.”

I nod to show I’m listening. “I get it, they’re both busy guys and should probably have hired assistants before.”

“I-I didn’t go to college or anything, but I’m very organized. And I won’t blab about them to anyone.” The sudden desperation in his voice has my heart constricting, but it’s endearing as hell.

“Okay. If they trust you then it’s for a good reason.” I believe it wholeheartedly, but also... I get a sense that Ollie would never betray anyone. “So you’re staying in the guest bedroom, huh?” I ask awkwardly. I feel like everything I’m doing and saying is awkward. How can it not be when I kissed him before I even told him why I’m in his new boss’ house at three in the morning. “I guess I’ll take the couch then.”

“Oh, no. If you prefer the bedroom, I can sleep on the couch, really?—”

“No way,” I interrupt him and shake my head decisively. “You’re the one they actually invited to stay over. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“Okay,” he whispers and looks down at his feet again.

“I’m pretty tired, that’s the truth, and I could easily blame it on that, but it’s not why I kissed you.” Where are these words coming from? Seriously, I need to shut the hell up.

“Then why did you kiss me?” He speaks even softer now but his eyes are back on mine. That’s what I wanted, I realize.

“I think you’re beautiful and couldn’t resist. And I’ve never had a problem resisting beauty before. So that’s... something to consider, I guess.” His mouth drops open at my honesty. I don’t blame him. When have I ever been this forward with a man? Never. I’m sure this has never happened to me before. “I think I need to sleep now, otherwise I’m going to keep saying insane truths that normally only serial killers say. Okay?” Again, he just stares. “Good night, Ollie,” I tell him with a smile, then walk back down to where I came from and detour to the living room.

I get comfortable on the couch while I listen to Ollie’s quiet footsteps go back to the guest bedroom, and when I hear a door softly click shut, I can finally let out the breath I’ve been holding.

Was that all totally lame? Or was it the right thing to do?

Probably both,I realize, feeling sorry for myself.

I really need to sleep.

I dreamof a blue-eyed angel with light brown hair. In my dream, he smiles at me, he pulls me closer when I go to kiss him, he climbs me like a tree and then?—

I startle awake and it takes me ten seconds to remember where I am.

And that the man of my dreams—literally, I’m not going to turn into a hopeless romantic after one kiss—is someone I met. Someone I want to see again.

I hear Derek’s voice drift down from his bedroom, and realize that’s probably what woke me up. No need to linger here, I decide. I need to slap myself together so I can make the bestsecond impression of all time when I see Ollie again. Dressed in my suit again, I go up the stairs in search of Derek.

Snooping isn’t really my style, but I can’t help it when I hear Derek speak.

“Okay, that works for me, but I don’t want you to overwork yourself. And it’s not because of your epilepsy, Oliver, but because you’re now my employee. When are you getting here? We’re supposed to meet Bruce in”—there’s a pause—“one hour.”

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