Too Far 01- Fallen Too Far

the railing watching me. I felt guilty for not coming out here first and letting him know I wasn’t going to meet him. I couldn’t manage to make wise decisions where Rush was involved.
    “I’m sorry. I got sidetracked.” I didn’t want to explain.
    “I saw Rush exit the little cubby hole he has you in back there,” he replied.
    I bit my lip and nodded. I was busted. Might as well fess up.
    “He didn’t stay long. Was it a friendly visit or was he kicking you out?”
    It was… it was a nice visit. We did talk. Up until I asked him to kiss me again it had been fun. I’d enjoyed his company. “Just a friendly chat,” I explained.
    Woods let out a hard laugh and shook his head. “Why don’t I believe that?”
    Because he was smart. I shrugged.
    “We still on for our walk down to the beach?”
    I shook my head. “No. I’m tired. I came out here to get a breath of fresh air and hopefully find you to explain.”
    Woods gave me a disappointed smile and pushed away from the railing. “Well, all right then. I’m not gonna beg.”
    “I wouldn’t expect you to,” I replied.
    He walked back toward the doors and I waited until he was back inside before breathing a sigh of relief. That hadn’t been so bad. Maybe now he would back off some. Until I figured out what to do with this attraction I had for Rush I didn’t need anyone else confusing me more.
    I gave it a few minutes then turned and followed him inside. Grant was no longer at the bar with the girl. They’d gone for a more secluded spot apparently. I started toward the pantry door when Rush walked into the kitchen followed by a giggling brunette. She was hanging on his arm and acting like she couldn’t walk steadily. Either it was from alcohol or the six-inch heels she was bobbling on.
    “But you said,” she slurred and kissed the arm that she was clinging to. Yep she was drunk.
    Rush’s eyes met mine. He’d be kissing her tonight. She wouldn’t even have to beg. She’d also taste like beer. Was that a turn on for him?
    “I’ll take off my panties down here if you will,” she said, not even taking note that they weren’t alone.
    “Babs, I’ve already told you no. I’m not interested,” he replied without looking away from me. He was turning her down. And he wanted me to know.
    “It’ll be naughty,” she said loudly then burst into another fit of laughter.
    “No, it will be annoying. You’re drunk and your cackling is giving me a headache,” he replied. His eyes still hadn’t left mine.
    I dropped my eyes from his and started for the door to the pantry when Babs finally noticed me. “Hey, that girl is going to steal your food,” she whispered loudly.
    My face flushed. Dangit. Why did that embarrass me? I was being stupid. She was drunk off her ass. Who cared what she thought?
    “She lives here; she can have whatever she wants,” Rush replied.
    My head snapped back up and his eyes hadn’t left me.
    “She lives here?” the girl asked.
    Rush didn’t say anything else. I frowned at him and decided the one witness we had wouldn’t remember this in the morning. “Don’t let him lie to you. I’m the unwelcomed guest living under his stairs. I’ve wanted a few things and he keeps telling me no.”
    I didn’t wait for his response. I opened the door and stepped inside. Score one for me.

Chapter Eleven

    I finished the last of my peanut butter sandwich and dusted off the crumbs in my lap then stood up. I was going to need to go to the grocery store and buy new food soon. Peanut butter sandwiches were getting old.
    I was off work today and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I’d lain in bed thinking about Rush and how stupid I was most of the night. What did the guy have to do to convince me he just wanted to be friends? He’d stated this more than once. I needed to stop trying to get him to see me as something more. I’d made that jab at him last night. I shouldn’t have done that. He didn’t want to kiss me. I couldn’t believe I’d begged him to.
    I opened the pantry door and stepped into the kitchen. The smell of bacon met my nose and if Rush hadn’t been standing at the stove with nothing but a pair of pajama pants on then I’d have been completely wrapped up in the delicious smell. The view of Rush’s bare back took away from the bacon.
    He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “Good morning. Must be your day off.”
    I nodded and stood there wondering what a friend would say. I didn’t want to