Catch My Breath

The hallway was quiet and empty. A handful of administrative offices lined one side. I walked down to the door leading to the hotel and turned around. Angry, I stormed back toward the lounge. First he’s an hour late, now he disappears. I’m all set, thanks. Out of nowhere, Alastair appeared, all smoldering and hot. Without saying a word, he pulled me into one of the offices.

“What are you—“

“Are you involved with anyone?” he interrupted.

“This is a really bizarre time for you to be asking me that.”

“Are you?”

I clenched my fists, blood churning through my veins.

“No. Why did you walk off like that?”

“It’s not important.”

He tensed, clearly uncomfortable with my question.

“Alastair, you can’t—“

“Leave it alone, Lia.”

The cold look in his eyes shut me up immediately. A detached, passive expression blanketed his face, rendering any charm or charisma obsolete. And this is my cue to leave, jackass. He grabbed my arm as I tried to walk to the door.

“Get your hands off me,” I hissed.

He sucked in a breath, as though he’d woken up from a bad dream. His grip on my arm relaxed but I didn’t leave. His eyes stopped me. They were pleading, apologizing for something far greater than just grabbing me.

“I didn’t mean to do that,” he atoned. “Did I hurt you?”

The culmination of all the martinis I’d had throughout the night paraded through my bloodstream with great fanfare, systematically shutting down my sense of logic and most motor skills. My legs wobbled.

“No. I’m fine. You just took me by surprise.” My face and lips vanished, causing me to speak much slower than normal. At least it felt that way.

“You’re going to pinch those right off.”

He pulled my hand away from my mouth. I’d been tugging my lip without even realizing it.

“They’re numb. You can feel them?"

He gently traced my lips with his thumb. “Yes. I hope you’re not pissed.”

“You think I’m mad at you?” I asked.

He tilted his head, grinning.

“Not mad. Drunk. I thought you said you knew British slang?”

“I do. I just…” I answered, trailing off. I was annoyed that I couldn’t feel my face and probably sounded like a drunken idiot. I should have just gone back to Darren’s townhouse.

“You really need to stop doing this. I can assure you, they are where they're supposed to be.”

He pulled my hand away from my mouth again.

“I can’t feel them,” I complained. “Stop laughing at me. Now I’m pissed.”

“So now you’re drunk?” He folded his arms, raising an eyebrow.

“What? No. I’m pissed. You know what I mean.”

Am I not making sense? Stupid alcohol.

“Oddly enough I do,” he said, stroking my cheek. “Why are you upset with me?”

“For starters, you were late. Then you were snippy with that guy at the bar. And now, this whole walking away with no explanation.”

“Is that all?”

“Yeah, I guess—”

He planted a lush, wet kiss squarely on my mouth. It was quick and chaste but enough to set off a spark.

“Good. Want to get out of here?”

“This office?” A noticeable tingle buzzed through the numbness, tickling the outer edges of my lips.

“This place in general. I never liked it here.”

“And go where?”

He shrugged, grabbing my hand. Walking somewhat slower than a sloth in molasses, we made our way toward the lounge.

“You don’t like many things, do you?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you don’t like soccer, but you went to the game. And now, this place. Is there anything you do like?”

He remained quiet until we got back to the table. His only response was a quick squeeze of my hand before pulling out a chair for me to sit.

“Look what we have here,” Brent announced, capturing everyone’s attention. “The elusive Alastair Holden has graced us with his presence this evening for more than his requisite ten minutes.”

I did not like the tone of that guy’s voice. Alastair lowered himself onto the chair next to mine, never taking his eyes off him.

“Center of attention as usual, Garrison?” he responded smoothly.

“Don’t be jealous, Holden. You can’t have all the attention and all the…” he paused, glancing at me, seeming to reconsider his thoughts. “I’ll give my sister your regards when I talk to her this week. She’s looking forward to reuniting with you at your grandfather’s retirement party.”

“I didn’t know she was invited,” he said, in a menacingly calm voice.