Hold Me Close (27 page)

“Sounds good.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

He watched her return to work, chatting with customers and passing out drinks. He needed to share the news with his family, but he enjoyed watching Maggie, so he did. Over the last week or so, they’d fallen into a routine. They spent their free time together, and now that he had his own apartment, she spent the night. He wanted her to move in but hadn’t yet brought it up because he didn’t want her to feel rushed.

Getting her out of the apartment upstairs would make him feel better. She’d told him Todd had sent a letter to the bar for her. He didn’t like that Todd knew where to find her. Besides, he loved the idea of coming home to her. Or her coming home to him.

On her next pass to the bar she bumped her hip into his. “Are you going to stand there all night watching me, or are you going to get ready for our date?”

He kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to see my parents to tell them. Then I’ll get ready.”

“See you later.”

Maggie worked like a spy for days. From the moment Shane had gotten the e-mail about the academy, she’d been planning a surprise party. Once again, having a big family proved beneficial because not only did she get extra help, Ryan let her use the back room of the bar for the party. Theresa had been fabulous by inviting all of Shane’s friends and family.

Both of their families would be there, and she hoped Shane wouldn’t mind it being at the bar. Over the last couple of weeks, he’d been getting more vocal about wanting her to quit working at O’Leary’s. When she thought about having a take-charge kind of guy, his telling her what to do with her life hadn’t crossed her mind.

It was the only way he was bossy, though. She’d hinted at wanting more of that in the bedroom, and while having sex with Shane had been pretty damn phenomenal, he was still holding back, being careful with her. No matter how many times she tried to convince him she was okay, it was like he still expected her to have a freak-out.

She hadn’t had any problems at all in that department, which was why she wanted more from him. If they were ever going to make it as a couple, they needed to not hold back. When she was drunk that night he’d come to get his computer, she’d told him what she was looking for in a guy, but he never commented. He probably dismissed it because she was drunk. The problem was, she wasn’t sure she could say it sober.

Shane wasn’t the only one holding back.

But today was all about the party. His first day at the academy would be Monday, and their lives would change after that. She didn’t even know in what ways; she just knew things would be different. So she wanted them to have tonight.

Mary came over to help her hang the banner and the streamers. Moira was bringing the balloons. She knew it was a little childish to have streamers and balloons, but she liked Shane most when he wasn’t too serious. Who could be serious when they had helium at their fingertips and an endless supply of alcohol?

They’d just finished with the decorations when people started to arrive. She’d lied to Shane and told him she was working late and asked him to pick her up at eight to hang out. By the time he showed, beer was flowing and guests were laughing. He’d forgotten to text when he was on his way, so he strode into the back looking for her and saw the party before anyone could yell, “Surprise!”

He stood looking shell-shocked as she pushed her way through the crowd and said, “Surprise.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

With one arm around her, he said, “What is this?”

“A party, of course. Did you think we’d let your acceptance to the academy go uncelebrated?”

Then there was tapping on the microphone, and Theresa was on the stage to get everyone’s attention. “Hey, everyone. Attention, please. In case you haven’t noticed, the guest of honor, my son, Shane, is here. As usual, he didn’t follow directions and text Maggie when he was on his way, so he snuck in.”

A few people laughed. Maggie turned to look at Theresa but stayed in Shane’s embrace.

“Before you all get drunk, I want to say a couple of things. First, Shane, congratulations.” Her eyes met his and he waved.

The crowd echoed her congratulations.

“I’m proud of you, baby, but I will worry every day.” Her eyes teared up and Glen held out his hand to help her off the stage.

As Theresa stepped down, someone started to chant, “Speech. Speech.”

Maggie stepped away from him. “You need to say something.”

He climbed up on the stage and someone handed him a beer. He nodded his thanks and took a huge gulp before saying anything. “I have no idea what to say. I didn’t expect this. Umm . . . First, thank you all for coming. And where’s Maggie?” He held a hand over his eyes to look for her, but his gaze immediately landed on her, just like it always did. He pointed at her. “I’ll get you back for this.”

“You can try, babe. But I’m like a ninja,” she called out.

“Thanks to the O’Learys for letting us party here tonight.” He raised his beer and said, “I’ll do my best to be a great cop and make you all proud.”

“How about getting us out of tickets?” someone yelled.

“You’re on your own there.” He waved and hopped off the stage.

Maggie sipped from a bottle of beer. She had no intention of getting drunk tonight, but she wanted to be part of the crowd. From where she stood, she saw Shane making his way to her, but he got waylaid by people wanting to talk and congratulate him. He smiled and nodded and spoke a few words. Before he made it another couple of feet, someone else grabbed him, so she waited patiently.

Moira came up next to her and bumped her shoulder. “Looks like a success.”

“Yeah. Thanks for the help.”

“No problem. I love a good party.” She tilted her chin toward Shane. “He looks a bit like a deer in headlights. You should worry about his threat.”

Maggie snickered. “He doesn’t scare me.”

“Better watch it. He might pull out his cuffs and lock you up.”

“I should be so lucky.”

Moira laughed. “Word of warning. Don’t use the department-issued ones. They hurt. Get the padded ones.”

Maggie smirked. “Spoken from experience?”

“Of course. The pain and red marks were totally worth it, though.”

Maggie sighed. Now was not the time for her disappointment. She had a plan. Shane finally broke through the crowd and reached for her. He set his empty bottle on the table beside her.

Moira said, “I’ll get you a fresh one.”

“Thanks,” he replied without looking at Moira. His gaze remained on Maggie. “You are like a ninja. How did you manage to get this done? I had no idea.”

“As much as I’d like to take credit for all of it, I had help. A lot. Are you happy?”

“I couldn’t be happier.” He pulled her close and gave her a searing kiss. It was the kind of kiss that usually led to the bedroom, but they couldn’t run off now, not with a room full of guests.

When he pulled away, she patted his chest. “Go enjoy your friends.” She reached in his pocket and took his keys. “I’ll drive you home tonight. I have a special gift for you.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

He groaned and kissed her neck. She enjoyed the rush for a second before shoving him away. “Go party.”

Hours later, Shane was still laughing and drinking with his friends, but he wasn’t drunk. She knew him so well that she could tell his level of drunkenness by just watching him interact with people. Shane was buzzed but still clear-headed.

Throughout the night, he’d introduced her to college friends and coworkers as if he wanted to show her off.

Every now and then, she’d break away, but he’d sought her out, if for nothing else than a quick kiss. On this stop, he whispered in her ear, “Are you going to tell me what my present is?”

“Remember when we talked about fantasies the other night?”

His eyes got hot. “Yeah.”

“Well, like I said, I don’t have one of my old uniform skirts, but Moira does. I have it in my bag.”

When he’d brought up the idea of the schoolgirl skirt, she’d rolled her eyes. Guys were pretty typical that way. But it definitely got her thinking. If she supplied one of his fantasies, he might feel obliged to fulfill one of hers. And she had only one, really.

More than anything, she wanted him to see her as whole, to take everything she had to offer without fear of hurting her.

“How fast can we leave here?”

“It’s your party. You have to stay until everyone leaves.”

“You really know how to torture a guy.”

“I gotta be good at something. We have all night. Neither of us is working tomorrow.”

He pressed a hard kiss to her lips and went back to his party. Overall, the night seemed to be a huge success. She only hoped she had as much success in the bedroom later.

CHAPTER 20

S
hane walked through the party with a smile so big, his cheeks hurt. He loved having his family surrounding him as well as friends he hadn’t seen in a long time. The fact that Maggie had pulled this off for him made him love her even more. He drank from a beer that pushed him from tipsy to buzzed and he watched Maggie work the room. She talked to everyone, made them smile, handed out drinks.

He needed to slow down on the drinking if he planned to enjoy his present from her. As much as he said he didn’t like surprises, her offering up a Catholic school skirt was one he’d enjoy. This party was well worth the surprise as well. Maybe it was time for him to deliver a shock of his own. He sought Maggie out, wanting to hold her and keep her by his side.

She was in a corner, talking to his cousin Dave, and not looking like she was having fun. Not surprising since Dave couldn’t handle his liquor. Dave threw his arm around Maggie’s shoulders and she ducked away. Dave put up his hands, and Shane worked to control his irritation.

Maggie nodded and the line in her shoulders eased a fraction. Shane slid from his stool, ready to pull her away, but she continued to talk to Dave.

Dave let out a huge laugh at something she said, then he made another move. In a blink, he was all over Maggie, arms wrapped around her, face too close for comfort. Shane’s blood boiled, and he stormed across the room.

In the seconds it took him to reach the couple, Maggie stomped on Dave’s foot and twisted his arm at an awkward angle.

“I asked you politely to stop touching me. Even if that wasn’t enough to dissuade you, Shane would kick your ass if he saw.”

Shane swelled with pride at the way she handled herself, but he forged on. “I did see.”

Startled by his voice, she released Dave’s wrist and spun around. Dave rubbed his hand.

Shane grabbed him by the shirt and tossed him up against the wall. “Keep your goddamn hands to yourself.”

“I was just being friendly.”

Shane smelled the alcohol on his breath. He could only imagine what the smell did to Maggie. Shane cocked his fist back, but Maggie pulled on him.

“Shane. Shane!” She squeezed between his fist and Dave’s face. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

“Doesn’t matter. He had no right to touch you.”

“And I think he knows that now.” She tugged his arm down. “Don’t make a scene. Let’s go dance.”

He let go of Dave’s shirt and looked at her. Really looked at her. No freak-out evident. She was clear-eyed and strong.

Dave slid away faster than any drunk Shane had ever seen.

Maggie smiled and ran a hand down his chest. “My hero.”

Her eyes went from clear to lust hazy. Adrenaline and lust pounded through him. He pushed her against the wall with the length of his body and captured her mouth with his. He held her tightly and tasted her. His fingers wrapped in her hair and pulled her head to the side to have access to her neck. God, he loved every inch of her.

He wanted the world to know she was his. Only his. No other man would ever lay a hand on her.

She held on to his shirt and whispered, “Shane.”

He snapped to attention. She was breathing heavily, and he had her pinned to the wall. Regret speared through him. He was no better than Dave. “Shit. I’m sorry, Mags.”

“Hey, it’s okay. I just didn’t think we wanted to put on a show for your entire family.”

He licked his lips, her taste lingering. “You wanted to dance.” He pulled her to the small dance floor and into his arms. He held her gently as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

They swayed to the music that he wasn’t hearing because she filled his entire head. “I love you, Magpie.”

“I love you too.”

“Move in with me.” The words were out without thought. He just knew he needed her to be with him always.

“What?” She pulled back a little and stared into his eyes.

“It makes no sense for us to travel back and forth. Move into my apartment. I want to come home to you every day. I want to wake up with you every morning.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Yes.”

“This is all so new. Don’t you think it’s rushing things?”

“No. I’ve been in love with you for years. No one knows me as well as you do. We’re best friends. All the rest is little shit. We’ll figure it out as we go.”

She didn’t say anything, and fear gnawed at him. Maybe this wasn’t as real to her.

“Let’s talk later, you know, when you’re sober and not blinded by jealousy.”

He choked out a laugh. “I wasn’t jealous. I was pissed.”

“Whatever you say. Either way, it was really hot.”

Shane kept Maggie by his side for the rest of the party. The crowd thinned out and wound down. He said his good-byes to friends and family and couldn’t wait to get Maggie home. He let her drive his truck, even though he’d stopped drinking and had sobered up. He couldn’t lose control with her like he had at the bar because of Dave. If anyone could make him crazy, it was Maggie.

Before he knew it, they were at his new apartment. He was mostly unpacked, in large part due to Maggie’s help. She’d carried a backpack with her when they left the bar. He tried not to think about what was in the bag. They walked up the stairs to his apartment on the second floor of the two-flat. She unlocked the front door and pulled him through.

“Are you tired?”

“Not so tired that I want to miss out on my present. I don’t want you to lose your courage.”

“Not a possibility.” She pressed a quick kiss to his lips and disappeared into the bathroom.

Maggie changed quickly, donning the ridiculous plaid skirt. She rolled the top to shorten it, just as she has as a freshman, which upset the nuns to no end. Instead of buttoning up the white blouse, she tied it à la Britney Spears. Her hope was that what she lacked in cup size she would make up for by being commando under the stupid uniform. This thing had been one of the many reasons she’d wanted to get kicked out of the Catholic school Moira attended.

If she hadn’t, she probably would’ve never met Shane, so things worked out all around. She left the bathroom determined to catch more than a glimpse of the Shane she had at the bar tonight. When she got to his bedroom, he was sprawled on the bed, mostly naked, hand in his boxer briefs, stroking himself.

“I know I didn’t take that long changing. You couldn’t wait?”

He sat and shrugged. “I get bored easily.”

She walked closer and did a twirl. “Am I every man’s fantasy?”

“I don’t know about every man, but you hit it for me.” He pulled her close to him, but she pushed back.

She planted her foot on the bed beside his thigh and bent at the waist to adjust her shoelace, giving him full view of everything under the skirt. He groaned and rubbed his hands up her legs. His eyes were filled with hunger.

He kissed her stomach just below the knot in her blouse. Her nipples hardened. He knocked her leg off the bed, then stroked up the outside of her thighs and reached around to grab her ass. His mouth went to her nipples, sucking them through the thin cotton.

While his tongue ravaged her nipples, his fingers moved back and stroked her pussy, which was now wet. Her hips followed his rhythm. God, he was good at this.

“Come here.” He tugged her hand and turned her gently toward the bed. “I want to taste you.”

She snickered. “You already know what I taste like. I thought I was fulfilling your fantasy.”

“Having my way with you is always the fantasy.”

She bit back her sigh. He never really had his way with her. He was too busy being cautious. But then his lips and tongue found her center and flicked at her clit, and she couldn’t think about anything.

After she came with her skirt flipped up on her stomach, and her nerves were buzzing with need, Shane slid beside her body.

“You know, if you moved in with me, we could do this more often.”

Christ. He was going to bring this up now? She shoved his shoulder to get him to lay back. “We agreed to talk when you’re sober.”

“I’m sober enough now.”

She climbed up and straddled him. She couldn’t do this now. She wanted to have sex, not discuss it. His hard-on pressed against her and she shifted to create the friction she desperately needed. “Later.”

Leaning over, she kissed him, but he pulled away.

“Wait.” He sat up, pushing her back. “What’s the problem?”

“Right now the problem is you got me hot and horny and I want you inside me, but you insist on talking.”

“As much as I want to be inside you, I feel like you’re using sex as a way to avoid the conversation.”

Maggie’s eyes widened and his earlier fear returned, curling through him, so he asked the one question he didn’t want to. “Why don’t you want to move in with me?”

She pulled completely away from him, smoothing her skirt as she stood. This was not going well. “I just . . . I don’t know if we’re ready for that.”

“I’m ready. I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t. I love you.”

She bit her lip and stared at the floor.

“What’s going on, Maggie?”

“You’re holding back.”

What? He hadn’t been expecting such a strange statement. “No, I’m not.”

“When it comes to sex, you are. I feel like I’ve always known everything about you. You’re open that way, at least with me. Except for when it comes to sex. You hold back.”

He opened his mouth to rebut, but her hand flew up.

“You’re afraid of hurting me. I get it. I’ve been telling you for a long time that I’m not fragile. But you can’t see that.”

“I don’t think you’re fragile.”

“Yeah, you do. You’re constantly checking to make sure I’m okay, that I’m not freaking out, that something isn’t a trigger.” Her face scrunched up. “It gets in the way.”

He had no idea. She seemed to be enjoying sex. He didn’t feel like he was holding back. He loved everything about being with her.

“The sex is good. Like crazy good. Better than anyone.”

“I don’t need you to stroke my ego. How can it be better than anyone if you’re saying shit’s in the way?” He scrubbed a hand over his head. “I’m not holding back, Maggie.”

Her shoulders dropped, and she licked her lips before she paced in front of him. “Do you treat me like other girls you’ve slept with?”

Loaded question. “You’re not like other girls.”

“But I want to be.”

How could she expect him to treat her like other women? They were never going to be a permanent part of his life.

She completed her circuit and stood in front of him. She swung a leg over his thighs and straddled him again. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in and whispered, “The hottest thing you ever said to me was when we first talked about sleeping together. You said, ‘We do this my way.’ I want to do it your way.”

He held her hips to anchor her to him. There was no way he was letting her go again. “What do you want?”

Her lips brushed his ear as she spoke and his dick jumped in response. “The hottest thing you’ve ever done to me—hottest thing
anyone
has ever done—was when you pushed me up against the wall tonight to let the world know I’m yours.”

His muscles stiffened at the memory, and not in a good way. He’d pushed her all right. He’d closed in on her and trapped her and forced his body on top of hers. His need to protect her compelled the action, but fuck, it had felt amazing. But the regret had hit him hard and fast.

Maggie leaned back and took his face in her hands. “When you came up on me and Dave, what did you see?”

“A man who wanted to die.”

Her face brightened with a huge smile. “No, I mean me.”

He thought back, and the image of her face remained lit in his brain. He recognized it in the moment. “You were okay.”

“Yeah, I was. Even with him pawing at me. Even with his nasty whiskey breath filling the air. I took care of myself, and I was okay.”