“Whoa, whoa, Maddy, you okay?” I call out, accelerating into a jog to reach her faster.
I close the distance and bend down to scoop up her phone. Maddy’s already chasing it, and we do that thing where both reach for the same object at the same time and then freeze, face to face, close enough to share breath.
Why is she so gorgeous?
Her eyes are wide, her fingers warm against mine. The air is thick with the scent of burnt popcorn now, and I’m guessing that’s why the alarm went off.
I hand her the phone. “You okay?”
“Um,” she says, trying to breathe like a normal person, “I’m not really a crisis kind of person. And I didn’t review the stupid fire escape plan, so I don’t even know which exit I’m supposed to take.”
“Lucky for you,” I smirk, “I’m certified in Basic Panic Management. I got you, babe.” Her eyes widen at the endearment, but I just place my hand on the small of her back and guide her toward the emergency exit. “Let’s go.”
We funnel into the herd heading down the hallway. It’s a madhouse with the alarm wailing and everyone shoving for the stairwell.
Some panicked idiot shoves the whole group forward, and we get wedged against the wall. Maddy’s back presses up against my chest, her hair catching in my jacket zipper. I feel the heat of her, and the gasp of her breath as her ass is suddenly pressed against my quickly hardening cock.
This is the best fucking fire ever.
I lean down so my mouth is at her ear. “If this is the end, you should know I’m glad I get to feel your ass on my cock one more time.”
She lets out a nervous laugh, but it comes out more like a hiccup. “Oh my God, shut up,” she says, but she leans into me, her perfect little backside cradling my dick.
I put my hand on her hip, letting more people slip past us. I want to keep her right where she is for as long as I can. She goes quiet and doesn’t move away. The crowd lurches, pressing us tighter together.
And my smaller head takes over.Fuck it.
I let my hand slide a little lower. Just a fraction. The way her breath catches, the way her body goes still, it’s like flipping a switch.
My other hand comes up to her stomach. It’s crowded, and loud, and every nerve in my body is on fire. I feel her hand come up and cover mine, squeezing it.
“Beck,” she whispers. “What are you doing?”
I duck my head, lips just grazing her temple. “I just want to die doing what I like best.You.”
She laughs again and turns a little, enough so our faces are nearly touching, and for a second, I think she’s going to kiss me right here, with the entire company as our audience.
Instead, she whispers, “You’re going to get me fired.”
The crowd surges, shoving us toward the exit, but I keep her body angled toward the wall and out of sight. My hand slips beneath the hem of her black skirt, just high enough to feel the bare skin of her thigh. I can’t help myself. My fingers slide up further, tracing little circles.
“Oh god,” she gasps, so quietly no one else could possibly hear it.
“Fuck,” I murmur. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
She shoots me a sideways glance, eyes wild. “Maybe you should show me…later.”
“I don’t know,” I smirk. “I kind of like the idea of an audience.”
Before I can make it any further, the alarm cuts out as abruptly as it started. There’s a mass groan as the herd loses momentum, then a garbled voice on the intercom.
“We apologize for the inconvenience. There is no fire and the situation is under control.”
There’s a collective, disappointed sigh, and everyone shifts their direction.
Maddy and I are still pressed together, both of us breathing hard. I withdraw my hand, but not before running my thumb along the inside of her leg, just for good measure, as she shivers.
She steadies herself on the wall, turning to face me. “Well,” she says, trying for a normal voice and clearing her throat, “I guess that’s over.” I can’t tell if she’s disappointed or pissed off at me, but regardless, I’m still ready to fuck her right here in the hallway.
