Page 13 of Two Minutes for Holding

What the helldid we do last night?

That wasthe only question that was running through my mind as I watched Clay Harris sleeping beside me. Panic filled me the moment I’d looked over and saw him. I could pretend nothing had happened all I wanted, but the truth was I knew exactly what we’d done last night, because I was sore as hell.

I rolled over and slipped from the bed, my body aching in protest from the number of times we’d had sex through the night and all the positions he’d put me in.

I glanced at the clock on the bedside table; it was close to six thirty, I needed to get the hell out of here. It was Sunday, which meant Knox didn’t have practice, and I knew if I walked through the door after he and Lorelai were up, they’d bombard me with questions. Questions I knew I wouldn’t want to answer.

I tiptoed across the room, grabbing my bra and panties from the floor before slipping out into the hall, closing the door to hisroom. I made my way to the living room where our little party for two had started and slipped into my pants and shirt. Putting my socks on, I slipped my feet into my shoes, grabbed my purse, and unlocked his door, slipping into the hallway.

I leaned up against the cool wall and took a breath. My heart was beating wildly. What the hell had we done? Kissing him had been one thing, but I’d just slept with one of Knox’s teammates, one of his good friends. I was sure I was going to hell. There was no doubt.

Knox would hate me, especially after he’d made me swear to him after the Ryan disaster that I’d never get involved with one of his friends again. I’d kept my promise until now. I blew out a breath and gathered my thoughts, composing myself. There was no way I could break down now. I needed to remain calm and collected and get my ass home to my room, where I could shed all the tears I wanted.

When I heard the click of a door from down the hall, I quickly pushed myself off the wall and took off toward the elevator, hitting the button to go down. Thankfully, no one joined me. I wanted to be alone with my worry and thoughts.

When the door opened in the main lobby, I exited the elevator and, with my head down, searched my purse for my phone, praying I hadn’t left it upstairs. Still digging in my purse, I glanced up in time to see a large frame coming right at me. Without enough time to step out of the way, I ran right into someone, almost knocking me onto the floor.

“Oh god,” I cried.

“Peyton?” I heard a deep voice question.

I blinked hard and then met my brother’s eyes.

“Knox? What…what are you doing here?” I questioned, swallowing hard as panic boiled inside of me.

“I have a breakfast meeting over at Lavish Mornings with some rep from some skin care company,” my brother said, checking his watch.

“Skin care company?” I questioned.

Knox nodded. “Yeah, just an opportunity to be the face of a man’s skin care line.”

“At six thirty in the morning?” I questioned. “Don’t you people sleep?”

“Yes, Peyton, at six thirty in the morning,” he said, getting irritated.

“On a Sunday?” I cried.

“Yes, even on a Sunday, and it’s for seven fifteen, but I like to make sure I’m early, in case they get here early. It shows that I am eager to hear what they have to say and that I’m interested.”

“Well, good luck,” I said, waving at him, figuring it might be the best time to run away while he’s preoccupied. It would give him less of a chance to ask me questions and more time for me to come up with a story. I’d just about escaped when I heard him clear his throat.

“Wait, what are you doing here? You should be at home in bed,” he said, a curious look on his face.

My body heated as even more panic filled me. I should have run when I had the chance, but instead I was now trying to come up with a reason I was leaving Clay Harris’s building early in the morning. Knox, of course, would know he lived here.

I swallowed hard, seeing two women come walking in from the road in workout gear, laughing and giggling as they made their way to the elevator.

“Ah, you’re wondering why I didn’t come home last night, right? Well, funny thing…” I said, laughing nervously. “See, I ran into an old friend last night. We had a few drinks and then we came to her place, here, in this very building. We had a few moredrinks, some food, and then I crashed on her couch instead of getting a cab to take me back to your place.”

It was sort of the truth, and he’d have to at least be proud I hadn’t taken a cab home in that sort of state.

“You could have called me. I’d have come and gotten you,” he said.

“I know, but seriously, I was so drunk I really didn’t think. I just wanted to sleep. I mean, we’d had a ton of wine, and well, it was just easier. I even passed out while we were watching a movie. She just left me on the couch.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, giving me a scrutinizing glance.

I stood there, fidgeting with the zipper on my jacket. I couldn’t tell if he’d bought my story or not, but I hoped he had.

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