“A phone call? You didn’t tell me that?” Oops. “Did something happen?” Her eyes go round as each word she says raises an octave.
“I kind of freaked out a few nights ago,” I mutter out, knowing full well she’ll want details and I’m too tired to give them right now.
“What do you mean?”
“I had an attack.” A crease appears between her brows at my admission.
“Why didn’t you come to me? I had no idea. I’m right down the hall.”
“I know. I just feel like such a burden lately. My problems—” She lifts a hand.
“Are my problems. We are more than just roommates, Eve. You’re my friend. You’re like a sister to me. You can tell me these things.”
“I know. I just—”
“Please, next time can you come to me? I want to be there for you.”
“Okay.” I nod.
“I really care about you, and I—”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I promise.” I give her a small smile. “I have so much work to do today. Lunch?”
“Sure.”
“Sushi?”
“Sounds perfect.”
I head back to my desk. As I stare aimlessly at the papers in front of me, a restless feeling gnaws at me from the inside out. When will the pain go away?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
PRESTON
TAP
Tap
Tap
The pen in my hand drums against the surface of my desk. For the last two and half months, the highlight of every week is our sessions together. Where is she? Why isn’t she here yet? Glancing across the room to the clock on the wall I take in the time . . . She’s officially fifteen minutes late. I’m going to call her.
My fingers scroll through the contacts until I reach her name and I press send. The phone goes straight to voicemail. Shit. I would be lying to myself if I didn’t admit I was nervous. After seeing her a few days ago, I know she’s been having a rough time, and the fact that she’s not here at her scheduled appointment isn’t like her. I want to make sure she’s okay, but other then calling what can I do? Nothing. So I’ll just have to wait. I’ll give her five more minutes.
The time I’ve allotted has come and gone and her phone is still sending me to voicemail, so I decide to head out for the night. Eve was my last patient for the day and since she’s not here I’m going home.
When I’m almost to my place, my stomach growls. Fuck. I have no food at home. What’s fast and won’t take too long? Pizza. I’ll just head over to Pizza 33 and grab a quick bite. I’ll be in and out in five minutes, then I can head home and go over my patient notes for the day.
Walking down Third Avenue, I get to the corner and wait for the light to change so I can cross. With a slight turn of my head, I see the sign for The Corner Bar. Looks pretty empty for a Friday happy hour. My eyes squint as I peer inside and then I stop dead in my tracks. There she is. Standing at the near empty bar as clear as day. Why is she here when she’s supposed to be in my office? I watch as a young bartender hands her a shot and she takes a swig. She leans over the bar suggestively and my blood starts to boil. I head toward the door.
A part of me wishes I were strong enough to keep walking, ignore what I see. But as the distance between the door and me gets closer, I know I’m only fooling myself. I need to go in. I have to. It’s as if a crazy beacon is going off alerting me that I have to, and for some reason I can’t will myself to not.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
EVE
INSTEAD OF GOING HOME, I head straight to the bar under my building. I’m three tequila shots in when my eyes focus on the large window facing Third Avenue. I spot a man in a well-tailored suit. I can only see his profile, but he looks a lot like Dr. Montgomery. Lord, I must be drunk. No way is he here. I look back down at my empty glass and then back at the stranger, he’s nowhere to be found. Great, now I’m seeing shit, too. I let out a loud laugh.
“What’s got you laughing?” Austin leans on the bar, his shaggy blond hair lying over his forehead. He combs it back and it showcases a pair of deep, warm brown eyes. They twinkle with mischief. I know I fled his apartment a few weeks ago, but he’s cute and a much better idea than daydreaming about Preston. I lean forward seductively as I answer his question.
“Nothing.” The tequila is warming my body and I feel good.
“Eve.”
Turning around, I blink my eyes a few times. He’s here. What is he doing here? He seems larger than life towering over me.
Overwhelming me.
“It’s youuu . . . Preston.”
“How many have you had?”
“Just a few, but that can change.” I smirk. “What are you doing here?”
“You missed your appointment today.” Wow, he sounds pissed.
“Oh, shit. I totally forgot. Did you come here looking for me?” His eyes turn hooded.
“No. Although I was worried about you.” My breath catches in my throat. He was worried.
“Why?”
“I know how you’ve been struggling, and then you didn’t show up today after work . . .”
“So why are you here?”
“Well, I was walking past the bar to grab takeout from Pizza 33, and lo and behold, who did I see through the window. Throwing back shots none the less.” His words now have a little bite to them but as he stands there glaring down at me it’s impossible not to get lost in his blue eyes.
“I guess I had a lot on my mind,” I mutter and his eyes soften.
“It’s okay. I understand.” He raises his hand and runs it through his hair. He seems uncomfortable now, and I have liquid courage, so I step closer to him. Every cell of my body tingles with the proximity of my body to his.
“It’s not. But I promise never to do it again.” I place my hand on his arm.
His eyes narrow slightly as he takes a deep breath and lifts my hand off him. “Eve.” His voice is almost a whisper as his eyes lock on mine. For a moment I think his eyes mirror my want.
“Another,” I shout across the bar at Austin, but he doesn’t hear me.
“You should stop drinking. You’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk.” How dare he think he can come here and tell me what to do? This isn’t his office and he’s not in charge of me. “And if you’re not planning on having a drink with me, please leave and let me have fun with Austin over there.” I turn my back to him and wave Austin back over.
“Eve.”
His voice holds warning,
but I don’t heed it. I lift up on my tiptoes and stick my butt out. Trying to be sexy, I lean over the bar, and with my luck, I lose my footing and stumble backwards instead. Out of nowhere, Preston’s arms reach around and catch me. My eyes meet his and his gaze sears me. The way he looks at me is almost predatory.
“You’re going home.” He pulls a credit card out of his wallet and hands it to Austin. “Close out her tab, she’s leaving.” His jaw is clenched tight as he speaks, so I don’t argue. I just nod at Austin.
Once the bill is paid, Preston ushers me out of the bar and we turn the corner to the entrance of my apartment building. He doesn’t speak.
“This is me.” I point to the door right in front of us.
I don’t want him to leave.
“You’re drunk, I think—”
“I’m not sure I’m interested in what you’re thinking,” I step closer, my hands resting on his chest. “That is, unless you’re thinking of coming up with me.”
I meet his gaze. His eyes are dark against the black of the sky. His breathing quickens. His chest rises and falls with each inhale of air. He wants me. I can see it.
A couple walks past us, forcing our bodies closer together. If I reach up, I can run my hands his through his hair. I wonder what it feels like?
I wonder if it’s as soft as I imagine in my dreams.
Slowly, as I study his features, I step to my tiptoes, and my body pivots forward. We are so close, too close. I can almost taste him.
I want to drink him in.
I want him to devour me, consume me.
He takes a step in, closing the distance. There’s something thrilling in the way he looks at me, at the way his gaze sears me. It makes me tremble. It makes me almost faint. The cadence of my heart picks up and warmth spreads through my body.
Then it happens . . .
Lips touch.
Gasps and pants.
Breathing each other in.
With his mouth pressed against mine, I moan into his kiss.
A forbidden kiss.
A stolen kiss.