Page 7 of Sin With Me

“I may have overestimated my drinking capacity. I apologize.” I giggled, then felt a tightness in my throat, as if something were trying to come up and my body was fighting againstit.

“No need. I had a nice time. Much needed, infact.”

Feeling my body slouch with happiness, I sighed. “Metoo.”

And then the swirl in my stomach came back with vengeance. “Excuse me,” I managed, then shot off my chair and ran to the bathroom. I pushed the first stall door open, bent over the toilet, and heaved. The taste of partially digested tequila mixed with acid filled my mouth as the contents of my stomach were pushed up andout.

Oh, God! What have Idone?

In the back of my mind, I was scheming how to get a hold of a toothbrush so that I could clean my mouth properly and not exhale a vomit-infused breath onto Mr. Tight Tush, when the gentle touch of warm fingers skimmed over the back of my neck. My hair was swept away from my face, grasped together and twisted three times. I felt a tightness at the back of my head as my helper held it in a ponytail. I wanted to turn around to express my gratitude, but I couldn’t because another wave of torture was forcing itself out of my stomach. There seemed to be no end to how much was inside of me – around half a bottle of tequila, for sure – but when I finally finished and turned around, I almost fellover.

“You?” I asked. His blue eyes captured mine. The tightness on my scalp from his grip on my hair remained, and his other hand rested on my shoulder. As he stood in front of me, his thighs against mine and my breasts fitting perfectly underneath his chest, the hold had a completely different meaning.

“I thought we were friends,” he smiled.

“We are. Thank you. I thought it was Lola. She dragged me here tonight. I don’t go out a lot. Actually, I know it doesn’t look like it, but it’s my first timehere.”

“If it makes you feel better, it’s my first time here aswell.”

Feeling a moment of calmness and clear thought, I moved past him to get to the sink, squeezing against his firm torso on the way. He let go of my hair and I felt an immediate loss of hisgrip.

“So you’re new to town?” I turned on the faucet and looked up in the mirror. The mascara had somewhat held, but my smeared eyeliner had opted for a more gothiclook.

“Yes,” he answered.

I cupped the water in my palms and brought it to my lips. I swirled it in my mouth before spitting again, washed my hands, and turned the tapoff.

“Oh, well, then we do have something in common. Can I ask you to forget tonight? I’m afraid I haven’t shown my best side this evening.” I combed my fingers through my hair, stacking it to oneside.

He scanned me in slow motion, from the bottom all the way up to the top, saying, “I would argue withthat.”

Oh, that bemused smile on his face was to diefor!

“You don’t have to worry about tonight, Kate. Your secret is safe withme.”

“Thankyou.”

He then turned to the door and bent his left elbow, offering it to me. “I must apologize. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I have an early morning and need to head back home. I’d be more than happy to walkyou.”

“That would be very sweet of you. Thank you. But I can’t promise to walk a straight line.” I looped my hand through hisarm.

“Then I will hold you until you’re allsafe.”

Again, that smile — I was afraid it would torture me all night. I could already imagine his lips in my dreams, and me crawling on all fours like a tiger towardhim.

Yup, I was definitely drunk.

The breezy night provided enough darkness to feel comfortable while walking. Cam held me under my arm, just the way he’d promised, providing much needed stability. It felt nice. I’d forgotten what it was like to feel cared for. The fresh air helped my head, and the spinning sensation eased as we stepped onto my porch. I rented a small house from the church. The arrangement was convenient because it was technically rent-free while I worked for the parish.

I walked up to the front door and turned around.

“Who’s going to walk you home?” I asked.

“It’s not a problem, Kate. I don’t live far.” He looked to the left, past the church, where I assumed he lived.

“Will I see you again?”

“I can guaranteethat.”

---