Page 85 of Off Limits

I smile against him, tilting my head slightly to kiss his chest. He gives me the gentlest kiss against the top of my head, and I stay right where I am, curled into Lochlyn, in front of everybody.

A few hours later, Lochlyn gently shakes me awake, whispering near my ear, “Shay. Baby, it’s time to wake up.”

My eyes flip open, and I grab his wrist. It’s midnight. “Fuck, my mom.” Though I’m sure she wouldn’t care or notice, guilt still pangs my chest at the thought of even possible worry.

“Hey, relax. You told her you were going to be out late tonight, remember?”

I shake away the haze of sleep. “Yeah, yeah, I do.”

“But we should get going.”

I sit up to look at him as his hand slides down my back to rest on my hip. “I don’t want to. I like being here with you.”

“I know, I did too. But we can’t stay.”

Just then, Chelsea comes stumbling over. “Well, good morning, sleeping beauty!”

“You’re still awake?”

“I am! And I feel great!” She sways on her feet as she reaches her arms out wide.

My eyebrows reach high as I turn to Lochlyn, whose mouth is pressed into a line, jaw tight. I’m aware of his hand still resting at my hip, but I know Chelsea is too drunk to notice, or remember.

“I guess we did a bit of a switch tonight since I’m the one who was asleep before midnight.” Lying and hiding is exhausting.

Brendan is suddenly at her side, slipping his arm around her waist. “Come on, babe, time to get you home and in bed.”

“Alone,” Lochlyn growls next to me, shooting daggers at Brendan.

“Of course.” The flush that rushes his cheeks tells me that hadn’t been his intention.

Lochlyn tenses next to me, noticing it too. “I think she’s a little too drunk for that. Don’t you? Or are you interested in taking advantage of my sister in her inebriated state?” Shielded by my body, I slide my fingers under the hem of his shirt to try to calm him. The last thing we need is for them to come to blows. He doesn’t look at me, but his fingers dig into my hip.

Brendan holds up his hands. “I have to be at work at six. I’m just making sure she gets in bed safely. You’re welcome to take her home yourself.”

“No, I wantyouto take me!” Chelsea whines at his side.

I can see the internal struggle going on in Lochlyn’s mind. If he takes Chelsea home, he won’t have any time with me. If he lets Brendan take her home, he can’t be sure nothing will happen.

“If I find out anything happens between you and my sister tonight, I promise you I’m coming for you.” He doesn’t move his hand from my hip, the other gripping the armrest, but his eyes say he’s ready to strangle Brendan with his bare hands.

“Understood.” Even though Brendan and Lochlyn are the same age, Lochlyn stands a few inches taller and is noticeably stronger. He’s scared away other guys by doing less. Though he looks intimidating, has a sharp tongue, and can be a little overly protective, he’s a teddy bear. My teddy bear.

They turn and walk away, Brendan supporting her as she stumbles.

“He better keep his fucking hands off her.”

I wonder what would happen if I just climbed on his lap at this very moment. There’s barely anyone still at the party. Heath ishisfriend, so surely Lochlyn could convince him not to say anything, make sure he doesn’t let it slip. But I decide it’s not worth the risk, taking a less blatant approach.

With my fingers on his jaw, I turn his face to mine. “Take me home.” Ever so gently, I lay the tiniest kiss on his lips.

He closes his eyes, fighting the same urge I have. “I wish I could put my hands on you tonight.”

“Why don’t you stay? At my house?”

“What about your mom?” Mom wouldn’t have any issue with us being together. Her feelings about Lochlyn, as changed as they may be from years earlier, won’t matter to her if I’m happy. But in her state of mind, I can’t be sure she won’t accidentally tell Chelsea, especially since they spend so many hours at the store together.

“I don’t care. We can set an alarm, make sure you’re up and out before she gets up. It’s not ideal, but I’d rather have a few hours than none.” While we’ve been spending a lot of time together, in the five weeks he’s been home, we’ve only been able to sneak in a few nights at his house when Chelsea’s at Brendan’s. This will be the first night we attempt to sleep at my house.

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