That didn’t forgive my distraction, though. After realizing the time, I rushed out of the clubhouse and hopped on my bike. In my race to get to Fiona, I forgot that the Brothers were doing construction by the gate. When I swerved to avoid some fencing, I blew a tire on a nail. Cursing myself up and down, it took time I didn’t have to get the bike back up to the clubhouse and find a car I could use.
I broke every speed limit in town on my way to Fiona, pulling into the parking lot at full speed, only to stop short at the sight of Fee trembling in the dark lot. I quickly put the vehicle in park and hopped out of the car. By the time I got to her, she was out of it, her eyes wide with panic, and her breaths were coming out in rapid puffs.
Bringing her hand to my chest, I couldn’t help the wince of guilt that ran through me when I felt her freezing fingers. She needed me, and I fucked up. I felt the moment her panicreceded. I swore I could feel it when she started to put her walls back up, both mentally and physically.
She took a step back, attempting to apologize, but I wasn’t hearing it. Before she could get more than a word out, I claimed her mouth. More than anything else, I needed to be close to her, needed her to feel what I was feeling. She was hesitant for a moment, and I almost pulled away until I felt her tiny hands curling into my shirt as she leaned into me, trying to get closer.
She tasted and felt amazing. It was everything I had dreamed of and more. There was no going back after that. Nothing would feel the same. I had a grip on her neck, her hair surrounding me in a cocoon of fire and silk. She was shy at first, letting me guide the way before breaking the kiss off as she leaped back.
I was too distracted by her swollen lips and flushed cheeks to realize she was once again trying to pull away from me, to shut it down. Collecting my thoughts, thinking of the right thing to say, I couldn’t help the smile that crossed my face as she closed her eyes stubbornly, trying to avoid what was happening right in front of her.
I pulled her closer to me, needing to have my hands on her in some way. Once I got her to look at me, I made sure she knew that I wanted this, that I had wanted this since the first moment I met her.
She seemed shocked, which allowed me to maneuver her into my car without much argument. I swear, I was trying to act like a gentleman. I knew she was overwhelmed, but when I lifted her onto the seat, it brought us face to face again, and I couldn’t help myself. She had caught me in her spell, and I couldn’t get close enough to her.
What started as a slow kiss meant to calm that rioting need for her quickly ramped up once I pushed my way closer to her. I didn’t want any space between us; I wanted to feel surrounded by her.
I was imagining her legs wrapped around me and the feeling of her nails down my back when I remembered we were in the middle of a public lot. I pulled away and buried my face in the crook of her neck. Taking deep breaths, I finally managed to step away from her. I tucked her into the car and quickly got into the driver’s side, afraid to leave her alone for any amount of time.
I couldn’t stop touching Fiona, grabbing her hand and putting it on my thigh once we were on the main road. I could almost hear the thoughts running through her head, the rigidity returning to her body. Not wanting the moment to end, to give her any time to retreat from me or come up with a reason to push me away, I decided to invite myself over.
“What’s your plan for dinner?” I asked, peeking at her from the corner of my eye. She seemed confused by the question but answered anyway.
“I was just going to heat up leftovers. Why?”
“I’m craving Chinese. There’s a great place nearby, I’ll call in an order, and Match can pick it up on his way back with your car. What do you usually get?” I asked, not really giving her the option to say no.
“I don’t have a preference. As long as I get egg rolls and noodles, I’m good.”
“Alright, darlin’.” The term of endearment slipped out, not that it mattered to me at that point.
I knew it would upset Charlie. I knew that Fiona already had a lot on her plate, but the only thing that felt right anymore was when I was around her. Once I parked, I turned to Fee and asked for her car keys. She passed them over to me, then hopped out of the vehicle before I could walk around and help her down.
When we made it to the sidewalk, Match was parked on his bike, looking at his phone. When he saw the two of us, he stood up, his brow furrowed as he noticed my arm on Fiona’s lower back.
“Hey, Bash.” He nodded at me before turning to Fiona.
“You doing okay, Sue?” Match asked.
“All good, Johnny,” she replied before continuing, “Did you get my text about the anime convention coming up? There will be a ton of other artists there. I really think we should go.”
Match’s face flushed bright red, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the fuck they were going on about.
“I’ll think about it. Bash, you said you needed me to run an errand?” he asked, looking at me guiltily.
“Yeah, can you grab Fee’s car from her office and swing by the Chinese place on your way back? I’ll call the order in once we’re upstairs. Just text me what you want,” I added, somehow knowing Fiona would be pissed if I didn’t feed Match.
He nodded and caught the keys as I tossed them to him. With my hand still on her back, I guided Fiona into her building.
“So what was that about?” I asked as we climbed the stairs together.
“What do you mean?” Her brow furrowed.
“Sue and Johnny?” I said, and she laughed. I couldn’t help the wave of jealousy over whatever inside joke Match and Fee clearly had going on.
“Johnny Storm, the Human Torch. It’s from theFantastic Fourcomics. I guess it’s my version of Match for him.” She smiled, and her whole face lit up, her eyes sparkling.
“What about Sue?” I asked, wanting her to continue talking with that look on her face.
