I have no idea how long we remain locked together. Long enough for me to finally clear my mind, and also long enough I think Kieran might have fallen asleep. I smile, thinking of Kitty and the number of times we’ve woken up together after a cuddle session. Sometimes it’s nice to just be with someone—no talking, no expectations, no feeling of having to entertain or be entertained. Just two people who are little more than strangers, seeking comfort and finding it in each other’s arms.
Kieran’s arm slides from where it’s been draped across my stomach, and he pushes himself into a sitting position. He’s wearing a soft smile as he meets my eyes and stretches his neck and shoulders. “That was…I don’t even know how to describe it. I feel so much better. Lighter.”
“That’s the magic of human touch,” I say.
His smile widens. “So, does that go on my tab too? Should I start a running one?”
I shake my head, laughing under my breath. “That one was on me. I could sense you needed it, and to be honest I did too.”
He pretends to be scandalized, mouth open in an O and eyes wide. “Meredith Cormier, youusedme. Maybe I should chargeyou.”
Seeing him back to his playful self makes me laugh for real this time. “Maybe you should.”
He sobers quickly, reaching out to touch my knee. “Truly, though, thank you. You’ve saved the day in more ways than one.” He leans in, brushing his lips against my cheek. Surprised, I suck in an involuntary breath, my face turning toward his of its own volition. His lips leave my cheek, but his face hovers close to mine. We just spent at least half an hour cuddling, but in the blink of an eye something has changed. The air is charged.
I want to kiss Kieran. I want it so badly I can feel it all the way to my toes. My hands itch to reach for him, to touch him in a very non-platonic way, and to have him touch me in return. Our faces are so close I can feel his warm breath on my lips. It’s like we’re frozen in time, hovering on the precipice of this going from a friendly, professional arrangement to something more. My brain knows I shouldn’t let it happen, but my body has overridden my common sense.
A door slams down the hall and someone laughs loudly. Kieran and I startle apart. His momentum has him rocketing off the bed, where he paces in a tight circle before stopping in front of the bed, hands on hips. I watch him, my heart doing a great impression of a wild horse.
“Something just happened, yeah?” he asks breathlessly.
“No,” I answer quickly. “Yes? I don’t know. I should go.” I didn’t think this moment could get more awkward, but as I scoot to the edge of the bed the springs in the mattress creak in time to my movements. Naturally, it makes me think of other, probably more fun, and a lot less awkward things that make mattress springs creak.
I snatch up my jacket and shoes and hurry to the door. Kieran plants his hand on the wood above my head, stopping me from flinging it open.
“Meredith, please. At least let me walk you out.”
He’s not touching me, yet the heat from his body seeps into me from behind. My brain is clearly on overload because where his presence and the nearness of our bodies electrified the air only moments ago, now his closeness brings me comfort again. I give myself a mental shake and duck out from under his arm. “Of course. Thanks.”
We take the front stairs this time, ending up back where we began when we first arrived. He waits while I put my shoes and jacket on, then follows me out onto the front steps. The temperature has dropped since the sun went down, giving the air a chill that makes it feel more like fall than spring.
“I don’t know what just happened up there,” Kieran says, making a vague motion toward the house, “but I need you to know I’m grateful to you for having my back today. It could have been a whole lot worse, but you kept me grounded. I know it may seem like they weren’t exactly on their best behavior, but trust me, that was actually mild compared to how they usually are. I suspect it was at least partially your presence that mellowed them. So thank you. Truly.”
“I’m glad I could go with you,” I say honestly. “And I’m doubly glad me being there helped.”
He nods, his expression solemn. “I suppose it would be weird to ask for a hug now?”
Why does he have to be so damn adorable? He’s not making this any easier. I straighten my spine, gathering my courage. I imagine myself donning a suit of armor, impenetrable not to arrows or other weapons, but to emotions. This is my job and I need to keep my personal feelings separate from business. I smile, hoping he can’t see how it wobbles at the edges. “Not weird at all.”
He steps toward me slowly, as if he’s afraid of spooking me. His arms wrap around me loosely, and when I sigh and rest my head against his chest, his hold tightens. I close my eyes and allow myself a moment. Just one moment. There’s no harm in that, is there? He smells good and his steady heartbeat is soothing. I try to ignore the thoughts that wrestle to the forefront of my brain: that Kieran is smart and sweet and sexy. That his voice does things to me. Things I shouldn’t be acknowledging.
His hands slide down to grip my hips, and he eases away to look at me. His gaze drops to my lips, lingers, then moves back to my eyes. “Blurred lines,” he murmurs.
I nod. My body suddenly feels like it weighs a thousand pounds, and it takes all my effort to keep my head up. “Blurred lines,” I agree.
“Thank you for agreeing to come with me next week to see my parents again, but I can manage on my own.”
“I said I’d go and I’m good to my word. I know they’re your family, but it feels a bit like throwing you to the wolves.” I was hoping for a laugh, and I get it, albeit a light one. “Maybe after that we shouldn’t see each other again, though.”
His hands drop from my hips and his expression goes blank. “If you think that’s for the best.”
I don’t answer, because I can’t honestly say I think it’s for the best. The logical, professional side of me knows it is, but the rest of me hates the thought of never seeing Kieran again past next week. Instead, we agree he’ll text me when he knows the details of the next meet-up, and we say good night.
When I get into my car, the first thing I notice is Kieran’s scent lingering in the air. I peer toward the front of the house, where a shadow moves near the door. He’s still standing there, probably watching to make sure I get away safely.
Who knew an almost kiss could make things so much more complicated than they already were?
