“Yeah.”He sighed, running his hand through his hair.
“Bad dream?”she guessed, though she had a feeling there was more to it than that.
“I don’t remember my dreams really anymore.”His words were hollow as if he were reciting them.
“Do you always wake up like that?”
“No, only when I’m startled.”
It was good thing she hadn’t touched him then.He could have really hurt her.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” Barry commented, sounding shameful.
“Hey…” She closed the distance between them and sat on the edge of the bed.Now that he was awake, there was no danger.She had heard stories from her sister about soldiers and PTSD.Rousing them from sleep could be the worst thing possible.“I’m okay.”
“It’s just…” He stopped like he didn’t know how to explain himself.
“You were in the military, weren’t you.”It wasn’t a question.“That’s how you lost your arm.”
“Yeah.It’s been a while since I woke up like that.Had I known that could happen—”
“Hey,” she cut him off.There was no sense beating himself up over it.Nothing happened and now she knew for future.“It’s fine.Now I know for next time to use a different method to wake you.”
Barry’s eyes lit up with interest.“Oh yeah?”His voice deepened to a husk.“Like what?”
Mac didn’t have time for another round, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t linger for just a moment longer.“Maybe something like this.”She leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the lips like one would a relative.
Barry’s bottom lip jetted out into a pout.“That wouldn’t wake me up.”
“How about this then?”She scooted closer and kissed him again in a soft, teasing motion.Licking his bottom lip before sucking it into her mouth then releasing it.
“I’m starting to like your wake-up calls.”Barry’s arm snaked around her waist and started to pull her down.
“No, Barry, we can’t.”Even though she had been the one to initiate it, she couldn’t be late for work because of a hot, sexy man.
“Why not?”he asked, kissing the column of her neck up to the base of her ear, pulling the lobe into his mouth.
“I have to go to work,” she groaned, starting to forget her reason for resisting.The man had a wicked tongue, and her resistance was wavering.
“And you can’t be a few minutes late?”
Mac glanced at the clock on the nightstand.She was already supposed to be at the dock in fifteen minutes, and there was nothing quick about Barry.“I’m the team lead.I need to be there.Tonight, I’m all yours though,” she promised.She’d make sure to wrap up on at a decent time so they could have the night together.
“I’m holding you to that.”
“Meet me at the bar at five.”
“I’ll be there.”
Unable to resist, Mac leaned forward and kissed him once more.She stood up and walked away when Barry reached for her again.If he got his hands on her this time, she wouldn’t be able to resist.“Alright, you need to get dressed so I can go.I have coffee already made.”She ran out of the room lest she be further tempted since she knew he was naked under the blanket.
“Yes, ma’am,” he called after her, chuckling.
Mac waited in the kitchen with her travel mug in hand and backpack beside her.She had never gotten around to showing Barry her house—they had been a little preoccupied—but it wasn’t that big; he wouldn’t be able to miss the kitchen behind the living room.
It was a small one-bedroom bungalow with an open floor concept.As soon as you walked in, you could see the living room, dining room—though it was used more as an office space than to eat at—and kitchen.Bedroom and bathroom were to the left.
Mac checked her watch.She had seven minutes to get to the docks.It only took about five to get to them unless she ran.Not that the boat would leave without her.Mac just hated being late.She shouldn’t have waited so long to wake Barry.
