Free Just One More Breath by Leigha Lewis

me into him and spoke into my neck, “How about you sleep in my bed. I will crash on the couch and I drive you home in the morning?”
    I smiled and nodded then wrapped my arm around him as he led me back to his place.
    Shawn lived in a one-bedroom apartment that screamed bachelor pad. Tons of sports memorabilia, a mini bar , and the biggest flat-screen television known to man. He tried to tidy up a bit when we walked inside while I stood awkwardly at the door. In all of our years of friendship, I had never been to his apartment. “You’ve got a nice home here, Shawn,” I said.
    He looked around making sure he grabbed all the trash off the tables and floor. “Oh please, this place looks like a big man cave. Nothing about it says nice or home.”
    “Well, maybe when you get married you can have a man cave like this in your basement and still live in a house that feels homely,” I said, then silently wondered why I was thinking about Shawn getting married for a second time.
    Shawn took off his shoes and jacket, and then stretc hed his arm out to take my jacket. “Oh please, I’m never getting married,” Shawn said with a bitter undertone. His words shocked me as he turned and walked away, disappearing into his bedroom. Moments later he reemerged wearing sweat pants and an undershirt while holding a white T-shirt and a pair of shorts. He offered them to me and directed me to his bathroom.
    I couldn’t believe the dramatic turn my night had taken; never in a million years did I think I would end up spending the night at Shawn’s apartment. I spent a few extra minutes in the bathroom giving myself a pep talk. I knew that Shawn was a womanizer and sleeping with him might not be the smartest thing, but there was something about being close to him that made me feel…alive.
    When I felt brave enough I joined Shawn in his living room.  He sat on his couch and made space for me to join him. It was a loveseat so I had no choice but to sit close to him. I was so close that I could smell his cologne and I loved the way it mixed perfectly with natural, manly scent. Having him in such a close proximity made my palms sweat. I placed my head on his shoulder bringing his mind-blowing smell right up to my nose. I was pretty sure that my panties were turning into one giant puddle. In an effort to get my mind out of the gutter, I exhaled and smiled.
    “Thanks again for everything , Shawn. Not just for tonight, but for handling my divorce and being a good friend. I really appreciate it.”
    “You’re welcome , Nicole. Like I keep saying, I’m here anytime you need me.” His voice sounded sweet, just like his smell, and with every inhale my eyes rolled back just a bit. Shawn’s intoxicating scent was making me feel even more inebriated and my tongue became frantic for a taste of him. When Shawn looked down at me, his eyes slid down to my lips. I licked them as if I were starving. For him.
    “Nic, what perfume are you wearing?” he asked in a raspy voice.
    I didn’t break eye contact with him when I whispered, “Irresistible by Givenchy.”
    He smiled, and brought his lips up to my ear. “How fitting.”
    It too k me a minute to pick up on his subtlety and when I did, I stopped breathing. Feeling bold, my hand slowly slid onto his thigh and I felt heat radiating from the place where our bodies touched. I brought my eyes back up to his, and there it was again. All the years of silent wanting and sexual tension.
    I knew sleeping with Shawn wasn’t the right thing to do—there was a very high probability that I would end up getting hurt—but there was a magnetic pull between our lips and it cause a thrill to run through me. My insides were a big knot of nervousness and desire. My skin was sheened with sweat as I fought to restrain myself. I knew that if our lips touched, even slightly, there would be no turning back.
    Regretfully, or perhaps wisely, I began to pull away. Shawn smiled at me when he noticed, and I suddenly felt