“Oops!” I say because I don’t know what else to say.
Woody looks over his shoulder and smiles, but really, he’s kind of glaring with his eyes. He’s standing with the current mayor and his wife. They smile at me but look a little confused. Or maybe sympathetic. “Little brother, you have to watch where you’re going.”
“I know. Let me grab some napkins for you,” I say. I turn and head toward the bar before anyone can stop me. I’m not in the right head space to make political small talk anyway.
I ask the bartender for some cocktail napkins and Autumn joins me. “Did you just pull a Vino and Veritas at an important political event? My God Bowen, what is going on with you?”
“I’m sorry,” I mumble as the bartender hands me a small stack of napkins.
“Bowen, can I talk to you a second.” Chase is suddenly standing behind Autumn, alone. She tips her head back to look up at him. He smiles at her. “Autumn, right? You look gorgeous tonight, Autumn. The green in that dress is your color.”
“Thank you,” she says but it’s guarded. Her eyes start ping ponging between us.
I hand my sister the napkins. “Can you give these to Woody for me, please? I need to use the restroom.”
I put my half empty wine glass down on the bar, pivot, and storm my way out of the room, luckily without smashing into anyone else. The restroom is down a long marble hallway far away from the party. I make it all the way there and am about to push open the door when I feel a hand grip my arm just above the elbow. He pulls me in the opposite direction, without a word, and I’m too shocked to stop him. Okay, well I guess I could stop him but the part of me that doesn’t want to — the part that has longed for his touch and attention since the last time I had it — that part wins and I let him drag me into an office across the hall from the restroom. The name plate says Lacey Baldwin, Director Parks & Recreation.
That’s when my feet stop moving. “I can’t be in here! Do you know how bad it will look if I’m in Woody’s opponent’s office?”
“Shush,” Chase commands, unbothered as he pulls me past her desk to a small door at the back, which opens into a tiny private bathroom. He shoves me in and enters behind me closing the door.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“I want to tell you something.”
“What?” I demand and then his hands are in my hair, his lips are on mine, and his tongue is in my mouth. Everything about this kiss is hard, demanding, and fucking glorious. But I can’t. I won’t.
I reach up, put my palms on his shoulders, and push him away. “Chase, fuck. Stop!”
He looks embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I just… I… you look so hot. I’ve been thinking of you non-stop and you look so fucking hot. I’m sorry.”
“You’re here as Lacey Baldwin’s date?”
“I am.”
“Then I can’t talk to you, let alone kiss you.” I push him, trying to get by him so I can get the hell out of here. I’m so rushed and forceful he almost ends up toppling backward onto the toilet and has to grab the lapels of my crappy jacket to hold himself up.
I swivel so he’s against the wall next to the sink, his body pressed between the tiles and my body. I pause out of pure, selfish need. I want to remember this feeling of him against me. I close my eyes for just a second and he whispers, “You’ve missed this too.”
“Yeah.” The word is gruff and thick on my tongue. “But so what? We aren’t in the same place.”
“I know,” he sounds so sad. “I want to be. I will be. Soon.”
“Well soon isn’t now,” I reply, finding my will power and stepping away from him. His lips are slightly pink and plump from that savage kiss and his eyes are so pale and so filled with longing it’s almost tangible. It makes my chest feel tight. “And if you’re supporting Lacey Baldwin, it doesn’t matter anyway.”
“I’m not supporting her.”
“You’re just dating her?” I question and he opens his mouth but no words come out. “Fuck, forget it. I have to go. I need a joint.”
I fling open the door and step out into her office, storming out of it without a second glance. I need to get the hell away from him and this room, and this stupid party. I head toward the staircase, pushing open the door at the bottom, I gulp the fresh evening air. I text Autumn as I start down Church Street.
Bowen:I’m sorry. I just can’t. I’ll wander around until you guys are good to go. Sorry.
She texts me back immediately.
Autumn:Are you okay? Do you need me?
I sigh.
