Page 12 of Pretty Please Me
She sucks in a breath, and her cheeks burn bright pink, sending a jolt of electricity to my cock. I couldn’t help but throw it out there to see if she’d react, and fuck me, my suspicions were right. This is a dangerous game I’m playing, but I know I won’t let myself do anything stupid. She means too much to me for that.
“And what about you?” she whispers.
I blow out a sigh, thankful to be brought back down to earth. “I’m basically the exact opposite, but like you, I’m loyal to the people I love. I think that’s my one saving grace.”
“If you’re trying to tell me you’re a bad person, then I don’t believe it.” She yawns as she stretches her hands over her head. “You’re like the sweetest guy I’ve ever met, Sam. I don’t think anyone could consider you a bad guy.”
I think you may be surprised.
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you let me walk you home?” I slide out of the booth and offer her my hand.
Disappointment flashes across her face for just a moment, and then she smiles. “Yeah, I’ve got an early class tomorrow, and I’ll hate myself for staying out this late. I had so much fun tonight. I think I needed this.”
I loop my arm through hers and place a gentle kiss on top of her head. “Me, too, Mags. Me, too.”
SIX
Maggie
My apartment is a short walk from Terry’s, but Sam and I take our time as if we’re both not quite ready for the night to be over. It feels so good to connect with someone like this—and just another painful reminder of how lonely I’ve been. I wonder if he feels the same?
I guess that’s what happens when you focus so hard on your career. You make those dreams come true, but if that’s all you have, it doesn’t feel quite as rewarding as you thought it would. What’s the point of any of it without someone to share it with?
“Thanks for walking me home.” I nudge him with my elbow. “Even though you didn’t have to. I’ve literally walked home from Terry’s alone more times than I can count.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Well, that’s because I wasn’t around. No decent man lets a woman walk home alone at night. I don’t care how many times you’ve done it.”
I glance down at my feet, unsure how to respond, and notice a trickle of water dripping from the bottom of the door, draining in a thin stream to the street. “Oh, no.” I twist my key in the lock and slam my hip into the frosted glass door as I push it open. A cold sheet of water pours over our feet, and my heart sinks to my stomach. I don’t have to turn on the lights to know this is bad, very, very bad.
“Oh, shit. Looks like you’ve got a gnarly leak somewhere.” Sam steps in front of me and turns on his phone’s flashlight, and I follow him, the water covering the top of my shoes.
“Dammit.” I shake my hands and flip the light switch, but nothing happens, so I try another. “The lights aren’t working,” I call to Sam, who’s somewhere in the hallway. “I can’t see anything. Do you see where it’s coming from?”
I turn on my phone flashlight to illuminate the lobby, and it’s so much worse than I thought. At least three inches of water covers the floor as water streams down the walls, soaking all my new artwork and furniture.
My brand new mustard modular sofa is absolutely drenched. The rugs, cabinets, merchandise, and the brand-new iMac computer are all ruined.
“No, no, no.” I rush to the crystal display to see my collection of selenite bowls and all the other crystal bins filled to the brim with water.
I run into the yoga room, cold water splashing up my legs and soaking me, and crash into Sam’s hard chest.
“Whoa, just breathe. We’ll figure it out. It’s going to be alright.” He grips me by the elbows to steady me, but it’s too much. My brand new infrared heaters—ruined. The cork flooring I just installed last summer—ruined. Props, speakers, mood lights—all ruined. Everything that I’ve worked so hard for is completely destroyed.
My legs crumble beneath me as devastation rips the breath from my lungs, and Sam catches me before I hit the ground.
“You’re alright, Maggie. It’s going to be alright. I’m here. I’m going to help you figure this out.” He tightens his grip around me, pressing me flush against his strong chest as hot tears flow down my face.
“Y-You don’t understand. This is everything I’ve worked for. There’s so much water. Everything’s ruined. Everything.” I cry into his chest as his large hand rubs my back.
“I have an eight o’clock class in the morning. What am I supposed to do?”
“We’ll figure that out, but right now, we need to find the source of the leak and turn it off.” He lifts my chin to meet my eyes. “It’s just a building. We’ll figure it out. You’re going to be okay.” He speaks so confidently that I almost believe him.
I wipe my teary, swollen face with my sleeve and nod as Sam slowly releases me.
“I think it’s coming from the hallway.”
I shine my light, following closely behind him, and bump into Sam’s back when he suddenly stops at the foot of the stairs. Gusts of water trickle over the steps, and thecurrentseems to get stronger the closer we get to my door.
