Page 23 of Play For Me
“I need to get back home. I have an early morning meeting.” It’s the first thing that comes to mind and only a half-lie. I do have a meeting tomorrow, but it’s not until the afternoon.
“Are we really not going to talk about what just happened?” He runs his hand through his wavy hair, and I can tell he’s frustrated.
“There’s nothing to talk about. We had our one night. We got it out of our system, and now we can move on.” I lean down to put my sandals on, and I can feel his eyes on me. He’s not buying any of the crap I’m laying at his feet. “It was just a fuck, Miles. Don’t read more into it. You’ll forget all about me when the next girl comes along to warm your bed for the night.”
I finally meet his eyes and wish I hadn’t. The storm in them would sink the Titanic. I knew it would piss him off by saying that, but I can’t let this go any further. I have my heart and my daughter to protect.
His jaw is tense as he tears his gaze away, roughly throwing on his T-shirt and tying his boots. Grabbing his keys from the counter, he heads to the door and opens it for me.
“Am I allowed to drive you home, or is that against the rules you’ve set for yourself tonight? I usually callmy fucksan Uber, but since we have to work together, I thought I would be nice and drive you.”
I knew that would crush his ego, so I expected him to lash out. I just didn’t expect it to hurt so much. “You can drive me,” I say quietly, getting off the bed and walking over to him. “Thank you.” I start to walk past him, and he backs me up against the door frame, caging me in.
His body presses into mine, and I hold my breath as he bends down close to my ear, grasping the back of my neck with his hand.
“You can lie to yourself all you want that this was just a fuck. But we both know that isn’t true.” His other hand snakes up the slit of my dress and palms my bare ass underneath. He digs his fingers into my skin, bringing me flush against him. I can already tell he’s hard again, and it takes everything in me not to pull him back inside.
“I don’t know what happened in your past to make you so afraid to admit your feelings and lose your trust in men, but I have every intention of breaking those walls down. If being your friend is the only way I can have you, then I’ll take it. I can be patient…for now, but just so you know, I’m nowhere near getting you out of my system.”
His eyes search mine, and I blink back the tears that are threatening to form. I see his greys soften as he runs his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Let’s get you home,” he says softly, pushing off the door frame and releasing me. “We wouldn’t want you to be tired for yourearly business meeting,” he smiles in amusement, calling my lie out right in front of me.
“I really do have a meeting,” I mutter, hiding my smile.
“Sure you do,” he chuckles, shutting the door and jogging down the steps.
I watch him walk to his bike and take down a helmet from the shelf.
Maybe we can do this friend thing after all. I’m not ready to let him out of my life completely, and we do have business together, so we need to find a way to get past this. In time, he’ll get bored and move on, proving that I was right all along.
“Are you coming, or have you changed your mind already and need me to throw you over my shoulder and bring you back inside?”
I shake my thoughts away and laugh. “I’m coming,” I say, walking down the stairs toward his grinning face and, I guess, my new friend.
CHAPTER NINE
MILES
Iwatch her come down the stairs, and my heart is in my throat. Something changed inside me tonight when I had her in my bed, and I know she felt it, too. Yeah, the sex was fucking amazing, but the way she felt in my arms…in my bed. She belonged there, and not just for a night.
She’s judging me based on my past lifestyle and comparing me to whoever this asshole is who put up her walls. I hate being friend-zoned again, but if this is what it takes to earn her trust and show her I’m not going anywhere, then I’ll suck it up and be her damn bestie.
When she stops in front of me, I slide the helmet on her head and buckle the strap before putting mine on. She easily gets on the back when I sit down, feeling more comfortable than the first time. Her body presses up against mine, and I feel her arms come around my waist.
Shit.
This is going to be harder than I thought to have her this close and not be reminded how good it felt to be inside her. Gritting my teeth, I will my body to relax as I open the garage door and back us up before shooting down the road.
I purposely take the longer way back to the restaurant where her jeep is. I know she loved the ride earlier, and I want to give her more. I open up my bike a little faster than I did last time, but still keep it at a safe speed.
It’s a beautiful night, and the moon and stars are out bright as we ride along the coast. It’s always been my favorite time to ride. Except for the occasional car driving by, the roads are deserted this time of night. It’s just us and this powerful machine beneath us, the warm wind brushing against our skin.
I reach my hand back and squeeze her thigh more for my own need of wanting contact, but I also want to reassure her that she’s safe with me…that she’ll always be safe with me.
I finally slow down and ease into the parking lot, stopping by her red jeep and turning off the engine. Removing my helmet, she places her hands on my shoulder and uses me to swing her leg over. I follow suit and help her with her helmet.
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are alight with excitement. She gets the same rush I do, and it makes me so damn happy to see.
