never going to forgive myself. At least this way, if the two of them came back to her house, I might be able to stop her from making a drunken mistake.
Because she had clearly been drinking when she called me.
Just when I thought I was going to bust my steering wheel with all my tension, a car pulled up beside mine.
I turned off my engine and jumped out into the cold weather as Harris opened his door.
“I’m not letting you sleep with her while she’s drunk,” I told him. “She’s not in the right mind to make decisions like that.”
He scowled at me. “I wasn’t going to sleep with her. I am simply bringing her home. Like a gentleman.”
I held up my hands. “Sorry. Seriously.”
He walked around to the passenger side. “She fell asleep, so you’re going to have to come and get her.”
I rushed over as he touched the door handle.
“Also, I don’t know what you did, but you’re lucky she still cares about you. And it’s only because I know how close you are that I am leaving her here with you.”
I balked. “I would never hurt her.”
“Not physically, but the next time I run into her alone in a bar, I’m going to tell her to run as far away from you as she can.”
“I know I have some making up to do. That’s why I’m here.” And to make sure she doesn’t sleep with you.
Harris nodded. “Good.” He opened the door and leaned inside. “Madeline, you’re home. It’s time to wake up.”
“I’m home? Oh. How nice.”
Harris backed up. “Come on now. Let me help you up.”
Madeline put her hand in his and stood. She squinted when she saw me and then smiled. “Griffin. You’re here.”
I blinked and looked at Harris. “I thought she was mad at me.”
He led her around the open door. “Her moods have been flipping back and forth tonight. Give her a minute, and I’m sure she’ll be mad at you again.” He put her hand in mine.
“Gee, thanks.”
The two of us walked Madeline up to her door. While I wanted Harris gone, I couldn’t help but be thankful. If she slipped on the ice or snow, it would be nice to have someone help me get her into the house.
When we reached the front door, he squeezed her shoulders. “Good night, Madeline.”
“Good night, Harris. Thanks for the ride home.”
He looked at me. “Don’t fuck this up,” he said and took off.
“Madeline, where are your keys?”
She held up her purse and waved it in front of me. “In my purse.”
I reached for it, and she pulled it away from me and laughed.
“Madeline.”
She did it again.
Thankfully, I was quick, and I got it on the third time as she fell against me.
“Griffin, why do you smell so good?” She rubbed her face on my chest where my coat had come down as I dug through her stuff to find her keys.
I found them just as she went on her tippy-toes and licked my neck.
“Jesus Christ.” I quickly unlocked the door and gently pushed her inside as I flipped on a light.
Madeline was giggling as she came toward me again.
I stopped her with my hands on her shoulders. “Oh no. We’re not doing that again.”
She had felt too good against me, and I needed to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid tonight, like sleep with her.
She stuck out her lower lip. “Don’t you want me, Griff?”
I groaned. “More than you can possibly know. But you are going to bed, young lady.”
“Young lady?” She bit her lip. “Are we role-playing?” She turned around and pushed her butt out. “Are you going to spank me for being a bad girl?”
I shook my head and walked toward her bedroom in hopes that she’d follow. “I think you’re trying to kill me,” I muttered.
I heard her shoes drop on the floor as she ran after me, but I was ready for her. I handed her the biggest, fluffiest pair of pajamas I could find in her dresser. “Go in the bathroom and put these on.”
“Wouldn’t you rather I take my clothes off right here?” she asked innocently.
“No. Go change.”
She wrinkled her nose. “You’re no fun.”
“I know.” I pointed to the bathroom. “Go.”
I went into the kitchen, grabbed a tall glass, and filled it with water. Then, I dug through the cabinet for ibuprofen and poured a couple into my hand.
Before I walked back into her room, I peeked my head in to make sure she wasn’t naked. I