Page 152 of Felonies are Forever

He holds up his hands. “I know, I know. But, work first. So, let’s wrap this up so we can all be bright and shiny tomorrow morning.”

I do my best to hold back my own irritated groan as most of the employees begin to file out of the restaurant, while a few others take up spots at the bar, looking forlorn. I turn, looking for Holly, but she’s not standing where I left her and with a quick scan of the room I come up empty.

There’s a tightness down deep that has her name written all over it. Now that she’s back, now that I know she’s close, my obsession is spinning out of control. I’ve fought these feelings for too long.

Jerked off to thoughts of her.

No, not just thoughts.

Pictures.

I’m not proud of it, but I’ve stolen fucking pictures of her from Martin’s phone. He and Holly text message almost every day, and sometimes I’m with him when a message comes through and he’ll share what’s going on with her, showing me some of the funny selfies she sends him or whatever else she’s doing. Little does he know what seeing her and hearing about her does to me.

Then, when he’s not looking and his phone is unattended, I forward the pictures to myself before deleting the evidence.

After that, when I’m alone at night…or the morning, or in the car, or in my private bathroom at the office…shit, anywhere I can get a second to myself, I stare at them. Flip through each one until the pressure in my balls is unbearable and I grip myself with shame and anger, knowing I’m a sick fuck for jacking off while looking at my best friend’s daughter, but unable to help myself.

I’ve shot my load looking at her pics so many times, each one is burned into my eyeballs, like when you’ve been looking at a light for too long, but it’s not enough.

As I glare around the room and find no sight of her, I start to seethe. After being so close, and now to have her disappear evenfor a moment, it’s killing me. I’ve wanted her for so long and now she’s back, and something deep down inside tells me she needs me.

And I need her.

Martin is arguing with a few of the laborers, who look pissed and I get it. Overtime is great, but it’s the holidays and the word ‘mandatory’ in Martin’s speech has got them bristling.

Besides, a lot of them have been over-served at the open bar, and that means they’re not on their best behavior.

I start to work my way out of the restaurant’s private function room to look for her, when I hear Martin’s voice from behind and turn to find him standing right at my shoulder.

“Hey.” The annoyance is plain on his face and he jerks his head toward the three employees I saw him with a moment ago. “I’m gonna drive these guys home. They’re three sheets to the wind, and I’m not going to be liable for what happens if they drive themselves.”

“Call them a cab,” I answer, still scanning outside the room for any sign of her in the main part of the restaurant.

“I would, but the weather’s getting dicey and all the cabs are taken. It’s going to be an hour before the next one’s available, and Greg lives about an hour north. Anyway, they’re pretty pissed about the overtime, so I figured least I could do is give them a ride personally. Try to build some goodwill back and all that? ‘Tis the season for goodwill, right?”

I nod, still focused on where she’s gone. “Sure, whatever.”

“Good. So, can you drive Holly back to my place?”

My heartbeat quickens and I answer too quickly: “Yes.”

Martin looks at me for a beat, then looks back to the three guys at the bar, who are getting louder by the minute. “Thanks, man. Probably take me a few hours to get them all where they belong for the night. Holly has a key to my place. Maybe hang out with her until I get back?” He shakes his head on a smile.“I know she’s an adult, but I don’t like her being alone. My protectiveness is over the top, I know, but indulge me, okay?”

My pulse is racing. Not only am I going to have her in my car, I’m going to take her home. To an empty house. “I’ll take good care of her.” I do my best to keep my words steady, the innuendo thick, but luckily Martin is focused on his task.

He slaps my shoulder. “Thanks. I trust you with her. You’re one of the only ones I trust with her. I may have only been her father for a few years, but I swear, if anyone touches her…” He shakes his head. “Man, I feel like I want to cut their fucking fingers off.”

With that, he laughs, then waves his hand in the air as he turns, calling for the three guys. They half stumble toward him, making their meandering way for the front door of the restaurant.

I follow behind them as the last stragglers from the party file out of the room, saying good night to the staff as they pass. With a glance, it’s clear that Holly isn’t among them and I need to find her, fast.

When I don’t see her in the open area of the restaurant either, but when I pass the coat room, I practically lose my shit.

“No, thank you…” Holly is pressed up against the wall, turning her head away as Nathan, one of the newest members of our rough carpentry crew, leans in close to her, holding a twig of some greenery over her head.

“Just pretend… It’s mistletoe.” His words are thick. He’s not even old enough to drink, but clearly the bar tender didn’t ask for ID because he’s loaded.

“She said no, asshole.” I bark, marching forward in three long strides and putting myself in the small space between them my hands balling into fists at my sides.

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