Page 44 of Backdraft
But there was no point. He'd had her in his arms not so long ago, and it had resulted in a renewed awakening for her. If things continued along this vein, and she felt the same, even though right now they were friends with no benefits, it would be impossible to resist each other.
They’d only shared a few moments here and there over the past weeks. Their work schedule kept them both busy.
Today was a refreshing change. Being able to go out together as normal people – not necessarily as a couple—was nice. He hadn't thought much about a relationship with anybody for quite some time. He’d put all of his energy into his career change and being at the top of his game.
But, there was something missing, and it had taken her living with him to recognize it.
He pulled up to a red light. They looked at each other before he glanced back at the lights, waiting for it to change to green. She was humming along to a tune on the radio.
Taylor liked having someone else in the house. It was nice and a complete surprise to him. When he was in his room trying to sleep, he liked hearing her in the house or her shower running. He enjoyed the sounds of her skipping up and down the stairs and talking to Cinder.
He didn't sleep much, maybe a few hours at a time. He spent the rest of his time reading or relaxing in his room, hoping sleep would take him. He couldn't remember the last time he’d slept through the night. So he was usually awake and listening to her moving quietly around the house. He knew she tried to be quiet, but he could hear a pin drop.
There was an awareness that he hadn't experienced before, and when the door clicked shut behind her, he waited to hear her vehicle turn on and the sound of it leaving the driveway before he was able to close his eyes and try to sleep.
Her hours were more awkward than his, and they came in at different times of the day, which was what they had anticipated when they originally decided to try cohabitation.
Once Drea left the house, Cinder searched him out. He’d lie on Taylor, finding a position on his chest whether he was sitting on the couch, lying in bed, or on a chair. He took up position with his butt close to Taylor's face and watched for Drea to come home. Taylor liked the cat, even if he was second fiddle. Which was another surprise.
"Do you fancy driving by the café to get another coffee?" she asked.
"Sure. It's just around the corner."
"Yes, I remember. I'm starting to get the lay of the land."
Taylor glanced at her, and she was smiling. She also held out a ten-dollar bill.
"You don't have to get it," he said.
She nodded. "Oh yes, I do. No freeloading. I have to pay my way, even if it's with coffee like this, or going out for groceries, contributing to a monthly bill."
The intensity on her face told him that she would not take no for an answer, and he respected that.
He took the bill from her as he pulled into the drive-through line. "Okay then. Later, we can look at the monthly bills. But I do want you to know that you don't have to help out financially at all. I wasn't expecting you to."
"I understand that, but you're helping me out in a time of need, especially with extra baggage. I really do want to pitch in."
"That's what friends are for." He pulled forward to place their order. “What do you want?"
"A grande caramel macchiato please."
"With whipped cream?"
"Of course, I forgot to mention it." She laughed, and he liked the sound of it filling his truck. He shook his head and smiled after giving their order through the speaker.
They drove up to the window and exchanged the money for the macchiato and his Americano.
"So where is the first stop?" Andrea asked him and then took a sip of her drink.
"I thought maybe we would just go that a-way." He pointed his finger out the windshield.
Drea laughed again, and he was heartened she seemed less wound up and tense. She was much more relaxed.
"Sounds good to me. I am at your mercy."
Taylor glanced at her and waggled his eyebrows. "Is that so?"
A blush stained her cheeks, charming him. He'd been teasing her and was pretty sure she realized what her words could imply.
