Page 49 of Callahan

He pulled me against him, and I could feel his cock against my stomach as he murmured in my ear, “When you said you were worried you were going to leak milk, it occurred to me if that happened, Conor could go hungry.” His hold on my hips loosened and the space between us widened as he continued. “Then, I remembered Conor is Shawn’s son, andthat’swhy Ideveloped a conscience. Not because I don’t want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman. And I feel like a horrible friend because of it.”

“If Shawn were here, would you still want me?”

My question seemed to take him aback, and he stammered, “I—I mean, I’d still think you’re beautiful.” His voice held a lot more conviction when he continued, “But no, I would never even entertain such an idea.”

He thinks I’m beautiful?

God, I’m such a girl. Focus! That’s not the point!

“Nor would I. But Shawn isn’t alive, and that’s the difference.”

Was I really trying to talk a guy into sleeping with me?

Damn, how desperate had I become?

****

Adam

“You’re right. Shawn is gone.”

Because of me.

“But it’s still wrong to want you. He trusted me to give you his engagement ring, for god’s sake.”

Lainey set her jaw and lifted her shoulders.

“You’re right. Message received—you’re not interested. I think Brian and the rest of the department can keep me and Conor safe. You don’t need to stay in Haven Springs on our account, especially since you and I won’t be seeing each other unless it’s in passing.”

I knew I’d hurt her pride, and I hated myself for it, but didn’t know how to fix it.

I shook my head. “Don’t do that. We can be friends.”

“I think we just proved five minutes ago that we can’t.”

“That was a moment of weakness. I’m sorry I took advantage of your vulnerability. I—”

She interrupted me. “Don’t you dare try to be a martyr about this. Iwantedyou to kiss me. No, you know what? I wanted to have sex with you. Right on my counter! So, suck it with your ‘I took advantage,’ b.s.”

Goddammit.

Now I was thinking about fucking her on the kitchen counter.

“The point is,” I responded aggressively as I tried to get that picture out of my head. “We can be friends. I slept on your couch the night before last without us crossing a line.”

“Oh, you think I laid in bed, knowing you were in my living room, anddidn’tthink about riding your cock on my couch? Well, hate to break it to you—but you would be mistaken. I wanted you to slip into my bed and fuck me.”

And now I was picturing her on top of me on the couch.

I knew she was doing it on purpose. Two could play at that game.

“And do you think I didn’t want to wake you up with my face between your legs, tasting your sweet pussy? The point is, we didn’t, because we respect Shawn. We are capable of having a friendship.”

“I don’t want to be your friend, Adam.”

“Well, I want to be yours. So, if it’s a one-sided friendship, then it’s a one-sided friendship.”

“You have to have a friendship first in order for it to be one-sided. I just said I don’t want to be your friend. I don’t think I even want you as a customer.”

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