Page 109 of Release Me

The intoxicating fog that swirled around us seems to liftinstantly, and with it, the sinking realization of what we just did hits me.

Oh my God.

Ronan’s body stiffens against me with each new heaved breath. He seems to have realized our mistake, too, as he peers down between us, to where we’re still joined. “I don’t know what happened. I never skip?—”

Gigi’s cuckoo clock chooses that moment to pop out of her colorful, refurbished home and noisily announce the noon hour, making us both jolt.

“What is it about this place and loud birds?” he complains.

Shit. “I have to go. I’m late.”

“So do I.” Ronan pulls out and sets me on the floor. In seconds he has his briefs and dress pants secure.

Suddenly, I’m the only completely naked one standing in my kitchen and I’m nowhere near as brave or confident as I was before. I dive for my shorts and T-shirt, skipping my bra as I hastily redress. “I have to cover AJ’s shift. He called in sick. Probably wants to avoid an awkward conversation until he can officially quit.”

“You sure you don’t want me to ax him?” As fast as my fingers worked to undo those buttons on Ronan’s shirt, his seem to be working double time now to refasten them.

“No, we’ll manage.” Somehow. “But thanks, I appreciate your help.” Without Ronan, the Sea Witch would be in deeper trouble than it already is.

And this has turned incredibly awkward.

“I’ve got to get these names in within the hour or Belinda will kill me.” Grabbing his laptop, he moves for my front door.

“Right. The vise …” On balls that just unloaded inside me. I squeeze my eyes shut, still in shock over how quickly that got out of control. “I’m on the pill,” I blurt, though that’s only half the problem. “And I’m clean.” I got tested as soon as I found out Cody had been cheating on me and haven’t been with anyone since.

“So am I,” Ronan promises, but the tension hasn’t released from his shoulders as he reaches for the doorknob.

“Can you please not tell anyone? About what happened.”

A dark chuckle escapes him. “I promise, you don’t have to worry about that.” With that, he steps out.

And stops dead on the porch.

“Frank!” I smooth a hand through my hair as I spot the looming form standing in the middle of our parking lot. “When did you get home? Ralph didn’t make a sound.” He gives a signature two-crow salute whenever the black truck pulls in.

“About five minutes ago. And yeah, he did.”

That’s impossible. I couldn’t have missed that terrible racket.

Could I have?

Frank’s brooding gaze rolls from Ronan’s untucked dress shirt to me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Needed this.” He holds up a wrench. “I thought you were covering AJ’s shift.”

“I am. I’m heading there right now.”

His gaze drops. “Likethat?”

I cross my arms over my chest, hyperaware of the bra I left by the sink. “Right after I change.”

“And I’ve got to get back to work.” Ronan trots down the steps, laptop under his arm, heading for his car.

That is covered in chicken shit.

“Sorry, they do that sometimes.” I wince as he pauses to inspect an especially large dropping on his hood. That had to be Ralph.

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