Page 18 of Until I Found You
I come up to just below his chin from where I sit on the barstool.
Giving him access, he takes another step closer to me, but still holds himself back from touching me.
The heat, the tension radiating off us, causes my temperature to spike.
“I think it’s just you,” Graham says, running the palm of his hand from my knee up my thigh. Just the slightest bit of contact from him leaves my body eager, seeking out more from him.
The combination of his rough skin against mine causes goose pimples to rise over my skin, causing the muscles in my leg to shake.
“Graham,” I sigh, my eyes closing as I tilt my head down, watching as his hand wraps around the side of my leg, gripping me tightly.
“Oh, I’m back to being Graham now?”
My eyes dart up to him, as his narrow at me.
I don’t know what to say, as I hold the glass up to my mouth taking another drink. My tongue darts out, running along the edge of my lip.
It’s starting to get to him, his chest heaves with every forced breath he takes.
He mutters something about me being a pain in the ass as he releases his grip on my thigh, running it over his face.
“Promise me you won’t try to drive home tonight.”
That was not at all what I expected him to say, especially given the way he was just looking at me. His reaction to our close proximity.
I’m not sure if I’m more surprised or hurt. By the look on his face staring back at me, I’m guessing he’s picking up on it too.
“Will you let me take you home?”
“Awfully forward of you, don’t you think? Just assuming after all this time, I’d let you take me home.”
The thought of him coming home with me tonight leaves my mouth dry with want. Even thinking about it now makes me feel desperate to say yes. More than him just driving me home, I want more time with him. More of having him close.
Even if it won’t lead to the more that I am hoping for, I can’t help but want anything with Graham.
When Graham left five years ago, to say I was a wreck would be an understatement. We’d have our share of arguments, what couple doesn’t though, right?
I knew this was different though. I knew when Graham told me he was leaving, there was going to be no going back. I think there was a part of me that thought, or maybe hoped is the better word, he would realize he was wrong and made the biggest mistake of his life. No matter what life threw at us, we’d weather the storm together.
With each day that passed where I didn’t hear from him, it was another reminder that the future I hoped for us grew further and further away.
Him being here now, having the chance to be near him again, despite knowing he could hurt me again, I want to say yes. I want to give in and soak up whatever I time I have with him.
Which is exactly why I don’t.
“I’m fully capable of making sure I get home on my own. I’ve been doing it for the past five years without your concern. You don’t have to take care of me, G.”
There’s a subtle tic in his jaw and I know I’ve succeeded at getting under his skin.
Sliding off the barstool, I put my feet on the floor. He doesn’t move to take a step back, but his eyes follow mine as I step in closer to him.
I stare up at him, feeling the warmth of his body and the feel of his breath feather over my cheek. I want to reach up and pull him close to me, to press my lips against his again. I want to know if he tastes as good as I remember.
I move to step around him, but before I’m able to get far, his hand wraps around the span of my hip.
“Halle,” he breathes, leaning in closer to me.
It’s loud in here, but I swear over the sound of the music I can hear my heart beating. I wonder for a moment if he can hear it too.
