When Angela tapped on my window, all the anger flowed out of me. Despite her small smile, she looked so vulnerable. And when she said what she said, I just wanted to wrap her in my arms and never argue with her again.
I know that that’s unrealistic, and whatever our issues are, we need to sort them out. “Where do you want to go?” I ask as she slides into my car.
“I was going to leave that up to you.” She pulls the seatbelt across her chest, highlighting her breasts. “I’m happy to go back to your place.”
I put the car in gear and pull away. Despite the fact that I feel lighter having her with me, and I’m confident that we’ll sort this out, there is still some tension in the air. We drive, mostly in silence, until we’re almost at my apartment building and I can no longer stand the silence.
“Look, I’m not saying I need to know everything you do. I was just a little taken aback that you never thought to tell me you were going to be in town a week early.”
“I guess I thought it wouldn’t matter to you.” She’s not looking at me. If I wasn’t driving, I’d force her to face me. But maybe she’ll be more open if I don’t push it. “I mean, we’re back in Seattle now, and I’m nothing more than your best friend’s little sister.”
“Angel, I think you know better than that.” Friday night aside, the week we spent together wasn’t just some hot fling, at least not for me. It was the start of something. Something that I desperately wanted to explore. “You’re not just a fling. You’re the person I want to get to know.”
I pull into the underground parking of my building. Angela is still fidgeting with the zipper of her hoodie.
“But that’s not what we agreed to.” Finally she looks at me as I pull into my parking space. “What we had was meant to be just for the week. We agreed when we got back here it would have to be over. Mostly to avoid situations like the one we just had."
Seeing the vulnerability in her eyes, hearing it in her voice nearly undoes me. “So what? Situations change all the time. We didn’t know that this connection would grow this strong.”
“But has it?” She undoes her seatbelt and hops out of the car before I can get around to open the door for her. She looks over the roof of the car at me. “How do you know that once we’re embroiled in our everyday lives that the connection won’t just fizzle out.”
I frown, not being able to hide my frustration. “We don’t know. And we won’t know until we try. It’s a risk yes, but if we don’t try, we still risk feeling regret later on.”
She rolls her eyes, a small smile playing at her lips. “But neither of us will get hurt.”
“Sweetheart if you think neither of us will get hurt if we walk away now, you need a reality check.” I take her hand and lead her to the elevator.
I’m staying in one of the empty apartments in a building that I own. It’s not a penthouse suite but it’s more than adequate for my needs while I look for a house. By the time we reach my apartment, Angela’s shoulders have relaxed and there’s more of a smile on her face.
“So, does this building have any openings?”
She’s inspecting my sparse apartment. In my defense, I only moved in here less than a month ago and it’s only temporary.
I cup her face in my hands. “Do you really want to talk about vacant apartments?”
My lips are dangerously close to hers. She chews on her plump bottom lip, mock innocence dancing in her eyes.
“What else do you have in mind?”
“I’ve been wanting to do this since I first saw you in your parents’ living room.”
I lower my mouth to hers. Immediately she melts into me. Her body fits into mine perfectly. Before I know what’s happening, I have her pinned against the wall. Our tongues are tangled as we explore each other. We’re wearing far too many clothes. My hand reaches under her T-shirt, her smooth skin under my fingers ignites every cell in my body. Her hands thread though the hair at the back of my neck. Her touch is like an antidote to all my troubles. I need to get her naked and into my bed—
My doorbell rings. I don’t know any of the tenants in the building and none of them know that their landlord lives in the building. The main entrance is access controlled with a password for each apartment. I shouldn’t have someone at my door without prior knowledge.
It rings a second time followed by a knock. “Guys, I know you’re in there, I can see the light on.” We both roll our eyes at the sound of Denver’s voice.
I walk over to the door and let him in. I don’t say a word as he walks in carrying a Tupperware container. “I brought dessert.”
Angela takes the container. “What do you want, asshole?”
I have other concerns. “How did you get into the building.”
“Someone was leaving as I came in.” He shifts from one foot to the other and I can tell he has more to say. “I just wanted to apologize. I’m sorry, I was out of line.”
Angela is obviously not in a forgiving mood. “Apology accepted. Now leave.”
He darts his eyes between Angela and me. He has more on his mind. I’ve known him for a long
