Page 25 of Needing Her

When she turned to look at me, our faces were so close that everything in me halted as I was slammed with the reality that this girl was in my arms and just a breath away. Something I was sure would never happen, and yet it wasn’t enough.

Maci’s face scrunched in concentration before nodding. “Deal.”

I swallowed hard and nodded as I struggled to get my mind working again. “Right. Okay...kitchen first.”

I walked her in there and placed her on the counter, ensuring she was steady enough to keep herself sitting up without falling. Grabbing a few aspirin and a Gatorade out of the fridge, I returned to her and handed her the pills.

“Do you feel like you’re going to throw up?”

“Nope, nope, nope!”

Amusement tugged at the corner of my mouth as I handed her the bottle, waiting to make sure she had a firm grip on it. “Take the pills and drink that entire bottle.”

She frowned once she’d taken the pills. “I’m not thirsty.”

“Take as long as you need. But you don’t get pillows if you don’t finish the bottle.”

Her bloodshot eyes narrowed on me as she brought the bottle back to her mouth and continued drinking. Once it was empty, I helped her off the counter and into my bathroom before turning on the shower.

“I don’t wanna,” she whined and stomped her feet like a child.

“You smell like a bar,” I informed her gently. “You’re not getting in my bed smelling like this. Would it make you feel better if I got your shampoo from your apartment?”

Maci swatted at me and moved toward the shower as she reached for the bottom of her shirt again. Before she could succeed in pulling it up, I grabbed her hands to keep them down.

“Wait until I’m out of the bathroom.” For the love of God, please wait until I’m out of here. “Will you be okay in here alone?”

She pushed at me and waited until I released her. “I’m fine,” she said, drawing out the word. “Go...go wherever you go.”

My gaze roamed over her face as I judged how drunk she was. “Okay,” I said softly. “I’ll bring you clothes for when you get out.” When she just nodded and turned for the shower, I grabbed her chin again and tipped her head back. “Please don’t fall asleep or pass out in there. Yell for me if you need anything. Okay?”

“Yeah, ’kay.”

Biting back a sigh, I walked out and shut the door behind me, then let my head fall against it as I fought with myself.

If it were any other girl, with how drunk she was, I would stay in there to make sure she was okay. Hell, if it were any other girl, this wouldn’t be an issue because she wouldn’t be about to sleep in my bed. But this was Maci, and I wanted her too much and didn’t trust myself enough to stay in there.

Groaning, I pushed from the door and went to grab a shirt and pair of gym shorts for her, then headed back to the bathroom and cautiously stepped in. Relief pushed through my veins when it sounded like she was still conscious and making use of the shower.

“You doing okay, Mace?” When she grunted, I said, “Clothes are on the counter.”

“Pillows?”

“They’re coming right after this, promise. Just finish up and get dressed. I’ll be right outside the door.”

Another smile danced at the edge of my mouth when she muttered something else about pillows as I left, sounding more excited than anyone should be when talking about them. And less than ten minutes later, she was walking out of the bathroom. Red hair wet and hanging loose over her shoulders...and in my fucking clothes...

I still didn’t know what to do about these unexpected thoughts and feelings for the girl in front of me, but this? This primal feeling surging through my veins seeing her wearing my clothes? That was something else entirely.

“Feel any better?” I finally asked, clearing my throat and trying like hell to concentrate on anything other than how she looked.

“Yeah, I’m tired,” she said softly. “I just want to sleep.”

“All right, let’s go,” I said and led her to my bedroom. Not that she didn’t know where it was when she was sober. But she wasn’t, and this was different. Everything was so damn different now.

Once I had her situated in my bed and was pushing away to leave, she grabbed my hand, freezing me all over again.

My body. My heart. My lungs.

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