"We should get back to work." She pulls away from me and before I can stop her, she's standing and grabbing the tissues from my desk. She pulls out a handful and tosses the box to me. "Shit," she says, looking at her watch. "I'm going to be late." She rushes through getting her clothes back in on
I take care of the condom, grab my clothes and barely have my jeans pulled up when she's heading to the door. "Berklee." She stops, turning to face me. I try to read her expression but I can't. "Come here," I say, pulling my pants over my hips but not bothering to button them.
"Crew, I'm going to be-"
"Come here," I say again.
She sighs but does as I ask. "I'm going to-"
Leaning down, I kiss her, slow and deep. A kiss made of promises of what's yet to come between the two of us. "Be safe tonight, beautiful. Call me if you need anything."
On tiptoes, she kisses my cheek. "Bye, Crew."
"Berklee," I call out just as she reaches the door. "Text me when you make it home tonight."
Her eyes soften and she nods her agreement. Then she's gone, taking a piece of me with her.
"CALL IT A day," Crew says.
This week has been packed full of bartender training. The staff has put in some long days, and all of their hard word has paid off: All of Club Titan's signature drinks can now be made to perfection by every single staff member, along with a few other fan favorites. At least that's what the trainer tells us.
"Great job this week. I'll be back on Monday and we'll review and learn a few more. You all are a great class," Susan, the bartending trainer, says.
Crew and I say goodbye to the staff. Zane left earlier today, something about helping his dad. "It's just you and me," Crew says as soon as the door closes.
"It is," I agree. "However, I have to meet Maggie. I'm already running late."
Crew pulls me into his arms and holds me close. "We're not late. I told Barry to tell Maggie that we would meet her there."
Wait, what? "What?" I ask, pulling back from him.
He winks. "It's been another long-as-fuck week where I didn't get my Berklee time. I know I can't be with you, but I'll be with you, and that's the next best thing." He taps the end of my nose with his finger.
"I'm going to my place after," I say, trying to sound more certain than I feel.
"I know." He sighs. "I'll take you any way I can get you." He pulls me close so we're just a breath apart. "Now, let me kiss these lips." He runs the pad of his thumb across them and leans in, pressing his lips to mine.
All rational thought leaves as I surrender my lips to him. I moan and dig my hands into his hair, pulling him tighter, closer. I want more of him.
When he slows the kiss, I whine. Not my finest moment, but you would too, trust me.
"Fuck, Berklee. We gotta go, babe. One more minute and we won't be leaving."
I giggle. Yes, fucking giggle like a schoolgirl. It's a heady feeling knowing that this man wants me. That I can make him lose all sense of control.
"Come on, boss man. Let's go watch us some football."
"I'm driving. Leave your car here, and I'll get it back to you tomorrow."
"Crew, I can-"
"Not happening, beautiful. This is my Berklee time and I'm soaking up as much of it as I can. I drive, you ride."
Sometimes he makes me forget that this is just an arrangement. The things he says, the way he treats me, they make it hard to remember that we have an expiration date. One that's sure to come as soon as I fall over the cliff and hand him my heart on a silver platter.
Pushing his words to the back of my mind, I smile up at him. "I have to change."
"We'll run by your place."
"Crew-" He stops me with his lips.
"Let me drive you, Berklee. It's not a play to get you in my bed again. It's just me wanting to be around you. Nothing more, nothing less." He kisses my nose and steps away. "We need to get moving."
"How about I drive home and we can leave there together. That way you don't have to bring my car over tomorrow."
"Did you ever think that I wanted to bring your car to you tomorrow? Did you ever think that maybe that was a damn fine excuse to get to see you outside of our work schedule?"
Shit. No, but now that he's said it, I can see the appeal. And that's an issue. No, him following me tonight is the better option for sure. "That's not what we agreed on."
He exhales loudly. "Come on, beautiful, I'll follow you home." He laces his fingers through mine and leads me out of the club.
On the drive to my place I replay our conversation over and over in my mind. I know I shouldn't but it's hard not to. He's sending me mixed signals, and I need to keep my head on straight.