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As I pulled money from my bag, Jason shot daggers at me with his eyes when he came around our side of the bar. Lucy grimaced and pushed my hand away. Looking over, Mike had already pulled cash and left it on the bar, but Jason and Lucy were facing me. Mike saw me notice the cash, then put another twenty on the bar and winked at me.
We both stepped off our stools and the four of us headed to the door. I nearly pulled it open, but Mike’s huge bear paw beat me to it. I glanced over my shoulder, and he winked again. I both loved and hated this winking thing he had going on.
Once outside, Mike and Jason had a hearty handshake while Lucy squeezed me. She whispered, “have fun,” in my ear when she did but I pulled back quickly and shook my head. Grinning, she waved bye to Mike then took Jason’s hand. They walked toward their apartment, which wasn’t far from the club.
Mike and I were left standing there alone. Trying to play it cool, I smiled and said, “Well, I’ll probably see you very soon. I’m parked this way.”
“I’ll walk you,” he said as he took a couple long strides to be at my side.
I waved him off. “I’ve done this about a million times by myself. I can manage.”
“I know you can, but if I’m here I’d like to walk you. That’s what friends do.”
We had both already started walking to my car, so I decided to let it go. Once there, I unlocked it with my fob and Mike opened the door before I could. I tossed my bag in the passenger seat and turned to say goodnight. He was so close I could feel his breath on my face.
My mouth watered so I swallowed hard to will away the reaction. But before I could overthink, he wrapped his arms around me and squeezed, like an old friend, hands on my upper back, a nice wrap up but not too tight. The problem was, his scent and warmth flooded me, regardless of how innocent the embrace was, and sent another gush of moisture to my mouth, as well as other places. I patted his broad back and we both leaned away from each other, but neither let go immediately.
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. His gaze was deep and trailed from my eyes to my mouth. I swallowed again, livid at my lack of self-control with him nearby. My lips were tight as I clenched my jaw to keep it from dropping open to invite him in. After what felt like an eternity, but was likely mere seconds, he broadened his smile to flash his pearly whites at me, then patted my shoulders like an old high school buddy and stepped back.
Slipping into the car, I put the key in ignition as he started to close the door. “Have a good night, Jaz. See ya around.”
I nodded without replying and he pushed the door the rest of the way. My mouth wouldn’t form the words I wanted, and I was scared I would blurt out for him to take me home. Shaking my head, I checked the mirror. Once he was out of sight, I pulled away.
Being friends was going to be harder than med school.
Chapter 10
Mike
As I drove home, I was wondering how my best actor award would look on my mantle; well, on the breakfast bar in the small kitchen at my apartment. Either way, I deserved one. Even if I wanted to pursue her, I couldn’t jump right in, not after how she reacted to me coming back. At least she said we should be friends. And looked at me when we talked. But what if that’s all we’d ever be again?
The thought tightened my throat. I swallowed hard to push the feeling down. But it’s possible that’s all we’d ever be. And I’d have to respect that.
Her car was already parked and empty when I pulled in, so I headed inside my apartment and plopped down on the sofa. As I surfed through the channels, I couldn’t help but think of her as her fruity scent kept wafting up to my nose.
I figured a friendly hug was safe, but now I smelled of apple blossom. And I couldn’t stop thinking about how she felt in my arms. It took every ounce of strength I had to let her go. The more that hug replayed in my head, the harder I became. Deciding to not suffer on the sofa, I tossed the remote on the cushion next to me and headed for the shower.
While I waited for the water to heat up, I grabbed a fresh pair of boxer briefs from my drawer and peeled off my clothes. Before tossing my top into the hamper, I took one more whiff of the fruity fragrance she left behind, then shook my head as I dropped it inside.
Pathetic, man.
My admission did nothing to my throbbing erection, though. I climbed into the shower and let the hot water run over me. With one hand against the white tiled wall, I fisted my length with the other and closed my eyes. As the shower sprayed over me, visions of her played through my head. Some recent, but some of my oldies-but-goodies popped into my mind’s eye as my hand moved up and down the slick skin.
Recalling one of my favorite intimate times with her, I stroked up and down, imagining it was her hand that had slipped into my swim shorts as we took a dip in the ocean on spring break our freshman year of college. We had waded out through the waves far away from everyone else, her legs wrapped around me. Her skin was a tad darker from the sun and glowed in that tiny little orange bikini. Even though we were both underage, we had managed to sneak some drinks and we both were feeling warm and handsy. It started with us kissing, but she grinded herself against me and I couldn’t help but get hard. When she realized it, she smirked and wasted no time fixing my problem.
I kept pumping my fist as I smiled, remembering how I tried to tell her through labored breaths not to worry, but she leaned into my ear as she tugged on me and said she loved the feel of it in her hand. The memory of her sultry voice sent me over the edge. My balls tightened and I pumped faster. Even though I was in my own shower, the smell of apple blossom filled my nose and the warmth of her touch seemed to be on my skin. Prickling heat danced through me as my dick twitched, sending jets of my release onto the floor of the shower as her name rolled from my mouth. Her gorgeous brown eyes seemed to be staring at me as the last of my orgasm shot out and my muscles relaxed.
After catching my breath, I completed the shower and made sure the remnants of my trip down memory lane were flushed down the drain. Staring at myself in the half-steamy mirror once I was out, I shook my head again.
Pathetic.
How could I pretend to be friends with her? Disgusted with myself using her memory to get myself off, I yanked my underwear up and stormed to my bed.
***
After a sleepless night, I left early to get to work. I didn’t want to risk running into her in the parking lot. I still felt bad about last night and wouldn’t be able to look at her.
Once I got in, I found the desk where I was supposed to meet up with my trainer. An older nurse with white hair and crystal blue eyes looked up at me over her reading glasses. “Can I help you?”
