Chapter Twenty Seven

She nodded even as her throat tightened. “Yeah,” she croaked. “You’re right, of course. It was a bad idea. I'm sorry”

She stepped away from him and hurried to the other side of the car and as she got in, she hoped that he wouldn't see the embarrassment and hurt in her eyes. In fact, she wasn't even sure if she would be able to face him after this.... Which just proved that she was the queen of bad decisions. She had known it wouldn't end well, and yet she'd done it anyway. For some reason, she actually made bad decisions while hoping for good outcomes.

"What hotel are you staying at?" Timothy asked as he slipped into the driver's seat.

"Huh? What hotel?" Chloe replied absent mindedly.

He frowned slightly. "Ernmmm. You have been around for a while. I guessed you are lodged at a hotel... Something like that..."

She still couldn't face him. "Oh, I'm staying at Susan's. She's out of town and she let me stay at her place. I'm glad she did because it saved me some money and I'm much more comfortable than I would have been if I had stayed at a hotel. I really don't like hotels"

Timothy nodded and headed towards Susan's house. The silence in the car was killing him, and he desperately wanted to know what she was thinking. He was surprised at himself in fact. Just where the heck had he gotten the willpower to resist her? He risked one glance at her and knew he had screwed up. He should have kissed her when he had the chance.

When he finally parked the car at Susan's, Chloe turned away from the window she'd been staring out of throughout the ride and turned to him. "Thanks for bringing me home, Timothy, and I am really sorry for.... You know... That... It was really inappropriate and unprofessional and I hope that it doesn't affect the decisions you have made about our agency.... Good night"

She opened the door and slipped out of the car before he could say anything. She didn't want him to say anything. She felt like if he did, she'd burst into tears and how embarrassing would that be? She'd had enough embarrassment for one night. When she heard his door open and he stepped out. She groaned and quickened her steps towards the front porch. The lights were turned off and she was glad for the darkness around them... She didn't want him to see her like this.

She dipped her hand into her purse to withdraw her keys, and In her haste to insert the key into the lock, she dropped them.

"Fuck... Damn it!" she swore as she bent to pick up the keys. When she stood, Timothy was standing beside her.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked softly.

His voice sent shivers down her spine and she tensed up. Oh God. She wished he would just leave, she thought. It was better than having him standing here with her. And what was that she heard in his voice? Pity? Guilt? Urgh! She hated it. She didn't want to be pitied... Not by him or anyone.

"I'm fine" she replied hastily, "And you really didn't have to walk me to the door". But her hands were shaking so much that she couldn't insert the damn keys. A second later, she felt his hand on her arm.

"You know it would be easier if you just turned on the light" he said, as he reached for the switch and turned the light on.

Yeah. The lights, Chloe thought. She didn't even think about it. Probably because her brain was clearly not functioning properly. It was clouded by his presence, his voice, his damn perfume. She really had to get a grip on herself.

"Here. Let me" Timothy said and reached for the keys.

Chloe didn't insist. Instead she withdrew her hands as soon as his brushed hers... Almost as if his touch burned. Timothy winced at her reaction. The last thing he wanted was her withdrawing from his touch. He turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open for her.

"Thank you" she said, her voice low as she stepped in and turned to him. "Good night"

"Good night, Chloe" he replied, but he didn't move. Neither of them could.

"I should get to bed," Chloe said. "I'm a bit sleepy and I have a lot to do tomorrow"

Liar.

She wasn't sleepy one bit, and she knew that she wouldn't even be able to sleep if she tried because her head would be filled with thoughts of him. But it would be a bit easier for her if he left...She needed to put some distance between... before she did something crazy.. Like offer herself to him and get turned down for the third time that night….

Timothy didn't say a word. Instead he nodded, turned and began to walk towards his car. Chloe shut the door, leaned against it, then slowly slid to the floor. She cupped her face in her hands and listened to the sound of his car door opening and closing....saw the headlights come on. A few seconds passed, and the lights still shone, then it went off again.

Chloe frowned. Was something wrong? She remained on the floor for a while before she decided to open the door and see what was wrong. As soon as she stood, she heard him knock. Chloe turned the knob and opened the door.

Timothy stood in front of her. Her eyes met his and the expression on his face told her what she needed to know. Before she could speak, Timothy moved forward and closed the small space between them.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," he said, and grabbed her waist. Chloe's gentle breath drifted over his face, hit his lips and Timothy covered her mouth with his, seeking her tongue. She tasted so wonderful and his senses went into overdrive: his nose filled with her delicious scent, her mouth was a gourmet’s paradise, he heard every sigh she uttered. Her body, under his roving hands, was feminine and slim, with subtle curves begging him to explore more. In that moment, Chloe was everything he needed or could ever want. Without releasing her lips, he stepped inside and shut the door with his foot.