Page 46 of Safe With Me

“Thank you.”

I almost swallowed my tongue, my limbs liquefying at the wet warmth of his mouth and the scratch of his stubble as he pulled away.

He didn’t seem so young as his eyes held mine. He seemed like an old soul, good and kind, with so much to give.

And as much of a wrench as it would be to my professional life and my life here in general, I wished like hell I could be brave enough to put all that aside and just take it.

“Mike?”

“Amber?” Mike said, squinting at her as he dropped my hand. “You’re not working tonight?”

“No. I had a late exam, so I took tonight off and met some friends from school for happy hour.” She took a quick glance at me, and I couldn’t tell if that was a smile or a smirk on her lips. “I guess we all don’t tell Claudia we cheated on her tonight.”

“We wouldn’t have if she opened a kitchen like everyone keeps telling her to.” Mike chuckled. “I’m glad you took a night off for once,” he said, his easy smile back on his lips.

“Are you on your way out?” I cleared my throat when I caught my voice crack. “Come join us. There’s like forty wings here.”

“No, thank you. I have to go home and study. This is even too late for me to be out with class in the morning.” Her smile shrank as she looked between us. “You two enjoy.”

“Is she okay?” I whispered to Mike after she left.

“I think so. She’s been wearing herself out between work and school. I’ve been a shitty friend and haven’t checked on her like I should.” His gaze lingered on her departure. “I’ll give her a call tomorrow. My head’s been all over the place.”

“Give yourself a break.” I nudged his foot under the table. “And help me put a dent in these wings.”

He smiled, relaxed and genuine for the first time tonight.

After we polished off half the wings and paid the check, we headed back home. Conversation was easy as usual, despite the tingling on my hand from the memory of Mike’s lips on my skin.

A weird silence fell over us when he parked on my block and shut off the engine.

“You don’t have to walk me.”

“That’s too bad. I am anyway.” He shot me a wry grin as he climbed out of the truck and headed to my side.

“Thank you for coming out tonight,” he said as we took slow steps to my door.

“Thanks aren’t needed. It was fun. And I went out after dark a second time since moving here.” I glanced up at the foggy night sky. “Thanks for helping me make progress.”

I craned my neck to the glow of a lamp in Terry and Kathy’s window. When I caught Terry’s gaze, she shut off the lamp and closed the curtain.

“I guess they’re happy at my progress too.” I let out a nervous laugh.

“Don’t sell yourself short. We all are,” Mike said, inching closer to me. “Good night, Delilah.”

I was about to protest his use of my full name when his lips landed on my cheek. The shock was even more potent than when I’d felt them on my hand earlier tonight.

My blood sang in my veins, my head spinning as I fought the overpowering urge to turn my head, devour his beautiful mouth, and get this thing I had for him out of my system.

But one kiss wouldn’t be enough. It would only hook me for more as that simple peck on the cheek triggered tingles all over my body, centering right between my legs.

“Good night, Mikey.” I cupped his cheek and turned to unlock my door, giving him one last wave before I shut it behind me.

I slid to the floor, trying to ward off the visceral need for someone I wasn’t meant to want.

10

LILA

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