Alpha Hero - Hope Ford Page 0,39

of here. Honestly, I could have held her in my arms for a little while longer. But the longer we lay there, the more withdrawn she got.

I shut the door and walk back into the house. I go over to the recliner, sit down and kick my feet up. Everything in the last few hours has been in fast motion.

I throw my head back, still lost in my thoughts of everything that just happened. She was a virgin. I had suspected it, but when she agreed to come over I thought she wasn’t as innocent as I thought she was.

Just thinking about sinking into her has my cock growing between my legs. I reach down to stroke it when my phone rings. I grab it off the counter and gruffly answer, “What?”

A laugh comes over from the other end. “Whoa. What’s up with you, brother?”

I sigh into the phone. “Nothing. What do you need, Baker?” It’s one of my friends from the fire department. Not that I’m treating him like one now. No, right now, he’s more like a nuisance.

“A few of us were going out to the bar, thought you’d want to join us.” I hear a few of the guys in the background laughing. Any other time, I would be all over it. I’m always the first one to jump in on going out, especially if it means meeting women.

But instead of agreeing, I make up some lame excuse about needing to stay home.

The other end of the phone is silent for so long, I say into it, “Baker, you still there?”

He laughs into the phone. “Uh, yeah, but did I just hear you right? You’re going to pass up going to meet women?”

“Yeah. Look, sorry, I gotta go,” I tell him quickly and hang up.

I toss my phone onto my lap and put my hands through my hair. I lean forward, thinking maybe I should go, get my thoughts off things, but instead, I pick up my phone and send a text. You make it home okay?

I stare at it and realize she lives at least fifteen minutes away. She probably hasn’t had time to get there. I stare at my phone and when I’m about to set it down, it dings.

Yes. Thanks for tonight. See you tomorrow.

As soon as I read it, before I can respond, another text comes through. Remember that we’re keeping this between us. No need for Terry and April to know.

I grip the phone tightly in my hand. I know what we agreed to, but for some reason I’m not liking it now.

Shannon

I’m staring at my phone, waiting on another text to come through. I thanked him for tonight. I’m sure he thinks I’m a loser. So before he could think I’m getting attached, I remind him about not telling Terry and April. My phone dings and I look at it. It’s a thumbs-up sign. He sent me a thumbs-up sign.

I take a deep breath and drop the phone on the kitchen counter. I knew what I was getting into. He made sure that I did. But heck, I never dreamed it would be that hard to leave. The longer I lay there, both of us breathing hard, his heart racing under my ear that was lying on his chest, the more I knew I had to get out of there.

I honest to God thought I could do this. One night with him and walk away. Well, I don’t really have a choice. We had the one night and I walked away. Now I just have to find a way to get it out of my memory.

6

Shannon

It’s not going to be awkward. It’s not going to be awkward. I chant all the way over to April’s house. I know that Zach is going to be there. I’m ready for it. I’ve prepared myself all day. I’ve looked at myself in the mirror to practice my poker face. No emotion, Shannon. Show no emotion.

I no sooner get out of my car than Zach is coming out of the house to meet me on the sidewalk.

“Hey,” he says softly, looking me straight in the eyes.

I know what he’s looking for. He’s wondering if I’m going to act crazy or not. Be obsessed over what happened last night. Well, I hate to disappoint him, but no, I’m not. I got this.

“Hey! How’s it going?” I ask him and don’t wait for an answer. I breeze past him and up the steps.

I think I’ve made it