Free Bring Me Back by Taryn Plendl Page A

I almost did, I quickly stand and pull her up.  “Come on, you’re going to catch a cold out here and then I’ll have to drag you back into town for the doctor.”  I say as I pull her towards the stairs.
When we get through the door, I peel her coat off of her and have her balance by leaning on my back as I pull her boots off.  I do the same and then we walk into the living room.  Her cheeks are flushed from the cold and her hair is wet with snow matted in it.  “Ally, you need to get in the shower and warm up.”  I’m going to get a fire going and then do the same.”  She nods and turns toward her bedroom.
I walk over to the fireplace and start building a fire.  Damn it Ian! I scold myself.  What am I doing?  Ally is my friend—the only friend I have had since Laney died.  I won’t allow myself to mess this up by crossing the lines of friendship. 
Once the fire is roaring, I grab a change of clothes and head to the bathroom, thinking I may need a cold shower rather than a hot one.
     

Chapter 25
~Ally
What are you doing Ally? I question myself as I stand under the hot water.  What started as a harmless game turned into me coming close—too close to kissing Ian.  It is a good thing my body protested in pain when it did, or I may have messed up the only friendship I’ve had in over three years.
His eyes were so dark as he looked up at me, and his lips looked so soft.  I felt his warmth on every surface on the front of my body as I lay on him.   I have slept with this man for two weeks and never touched him like that.  Technically I am well enough to be on my own now, but the thought of Ian going back to his own house leaves a small void in my heart.  I love having him here.  My life went from letting absolutely no one in, to essentially having a roommate—that I felt so comfortable with almost instantly.
There is very little that is right in my screwed up life.  I won’t allow myself to mess this up with Ian.  He is my friend, that’s it.
***
“Hmmm, what is that smell?”  I asked as I came around the corner.  Ian turned around and smiled. “I made beef stew. Ronnie brought everything we needed when he came last.”  I sat down at the breakfast bar and watched him move comfortably around my kitchen.  “Can I help?”  I asked.  Shaking his head, “Nope.”    As he put a couple of things in the sink, Ian turned and looked at me.  “How are you feeling?”  He asked as he furrowed his eyebrows.  “A little sore.”  Smiling as I remembered our earlier snow ball fight.  “I know better, I just couldn’t help myself.”  Ian’s mouth quirked up. “You’re lucky you’re an invalid, or I would have been forced to bring out the big guns.”  He laughs as he flexes his biceps.  I laugh, “You’re right, we wouldn’t want that!” 
When I look back up, Ian is regarding me with an inquisitive look.  “What?”  I ask, feeling kind of nervous.  “Nothing…I umm, I just like to hear you laugh.  It’s nice.” He turns around to dish up our bowls, without expecting a response.
***
  Dinner was great, and as we clean up the kitchen, I take a look out the window.  “Wow Ian, it’s really coming down out there!”  He walks over to the window and looks off to the left.  “Man, I can’t even see my house.”  I sneak a look at him, “I guess you aren’t going to make it home tonight.”  I turn and walk away so he doesn’t see my face. “Yeah, I guess not.”  He says very softly, and my heart falls just a little at what sounds like disappointment in his voice.
I walk over to the couch and look at the fire that Ian built.  “Good job on the fire Ian.”  I say as I prop my feet on the coffee table.  “Yeah, it feels great, doesn’t it?”  He says as he comes and sits on the other side of the couch.  “Do you want to watch some TV?”  I ask handing him the remote.  “No, I think I want to talk.”  I look at him, trying to figure out