Page 54 of Collision

When we pulled up, it was after one o’clock in the morning. I killed the engine and took a deep breath. I did not know how I planned on getting Chase up the stairs. I walked around to his side, and pulled as hard as I could to get him up and out of the car.

“I’m heavy.”

“Yeah, no shit,” I grunted. He leaned on me as I tried to walk him up the driveway. “You could help me out a little.”

“Where are you taking me?” he asked.

“I’m taking you to sleep on my couch. You can’t go in your house like this and wake everybody up.”

“We’re having a sleepover?”

“Yes, if we ever make it up these stairs. Step. Okay next step.” I guided his legs up each concrete step. “You have to lift your leg!”

“I know how stairs work,” he slurred.

“Well, it’s not looking that way at the moment. Come on, one more. There you go.” I propped him against the railing while I unlocked my door and caught my breath. I directed him into the living room and gave him a push when we neared the couch. He fell like a tree and bounced onto the cushions. I could no longer contain my laughter.

“Why are you laughing at me?”

“You would be laughing if you saw yourself right now.” I untied his shoelaces, and slid off each shoe. “Sit up. Let me take this vest off.”

He sat up with his eyes closed. “I always knew you wanted to undress me.”

“Shut up, or I won’t help your drunk ass.”

His eyes opened while I yanked off his vest and began unbuttoning his shirt. He played with a strand of my hair. I let him. It kept him still. His hand then moved to my cheek, and he began tracing my bottom lip with his thumb. His touch caused a warm sensation to spread throughout my body.

“Chase,” I warned.

“I want to kiss you.”

“I don’t.”

His hand dropped immediately. “You don’t?”

“Not when you’re like this, I don’t.”

“You almost kissed me before.”

“I don’t know what happened.”

“Yes, you do! You wanted to kiss me, too.”

“Well, I don’t want to kiss you now. You’re drunk. You won’t even remember any of this in the morning.”

“Yes I will. Just say it. Admit it.”

I tugged on his sleeves and pulled them off, revealing his bare torso right before my eyes. His skin looked smooth, and it took all of my restraint to not reach out and touch him. I debated whether or not to take off his pants. Sleeping in jeans would not be comfortable, but he would be in a drunken coma, so it probably would not matter. Though we had grown close over the past month, he had not divulged whether he was a boxers, briefs, or commando kind of guy – I didn’t need any surprises tonight.

“Lie down. I’ll get you a blanket.”

His shoulders dropped and he flopped backwards onto the couch. I knew he was frustrated with me, but luckily the alcohol coursing through his veins would help put him to sleep quickly.

I returned with the throw blanket that was atop my comforter. I spread the blanket over his body and knelt beside him. “Comfortable?”

His eyes were closed again. “I’d be more comfortable if you were lying here with me.”

“I’ll be right in the next room. Do you think you’ll need a garbage pail?”

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