Free The Story of Lansing Lotte by L.B. Dunbar Page B

I pressed my hands on my knees with a slap and stood.  When I turned to look at her, her face fell a little from the enthusiasm moments before.
    “What?” I said slowly.
    “Are you staying here tonight?” she asked quietly.
    “I…I think I need to go home.”
    “Oh, of course,” she tried to sound cheery again, but her voice was too high.
    “Or I could stay if you would like?” I hesitated.
    “I…you can do what makes you comfortable.”
    I had a hundred things I wanted to say to her. A million questions I wanted to ask, but I didn’t. I started to walk away, sliding my hands into my front jean pockets. My back was to her and I made it the length of the couch when she surprised me by meeting me at the edge.
    “Or you could stay?” she said softly. Her hand reached out and then withdrew. I looked up at her, willing her to look at me, but her gaze had dropped down to her fallen hand that picked at nothing on the couch cushion seam.
    “How about if I stay for a while? Until you fall asleep?”
    She nodded just once.
    “Want to watch a movie?”
    Without answering, she cleared the edge of the couch and went for the remote. We sat in awkward silence on opposite ends of the couch while a movie began. I didn’t want to see a romance, and I didn’t think a comedy would even make Guinie laugh, so I was relieved when she put in a Bourne movie. Action packed was good.
    As the movie played, I noticed Guinie slid down on her side, eventually closing her tired eyes. I tugged her feet as they slipped toward me and pulled them into my lap. She didn’t resist and I kept my hands on her ankles. That brief bit of contact was more electric than the kiss I shared with Layne. I felt guilty for that.
    I liked Layne. I did, but I didn’t feel the attraction to her like I felt to Guinie. Of course, my attraction to Guinie was wrong. Wrong on so many levels.  She was physically hurting after the loss of the baby. She was emotionally spent after the disappearance of Arturo. She was altogether off limits as Arturo’s fiancée. But I still couldn’t help how I felt about her.
    Time passed and I slid behind Guinie, spooning her against me. She didn’t seem to flinch away from me. As a matter of fact, she pressed into me. I slipped my arm over her slim waist to lay my hand protectively on her stomach. Her delicate hand covered mine, and I held my breath for a moment, unsure if she was awake or acting in her sleep. I heard her breathing softly, and let out my breath, relaxing into her leaning against my chest. I was surprised I was able to sleep a dreamless sleep, but I awoke with a raging hard-on pressed into Guinie’s rear. She moaned from the back of her throat. I felt the need to warn her in advance.
    “I’m not Arturo,” I whispered into her hair.
    I felt her go still in my arms; I slowly removed my hand from over her waist causing her to rotate slightly to look at me over her shoulder.
    “Don’t you think I know that?” she whispered.
    I paused as her lake blue eyes stared into mine.
    “After yesterday…” I let the words fade away.
    “I…I was confused,” she said. “It won’t happen again.” She immediately sat up then stood quickly to be away from me. 
    I wasn’t sure what time it was. The television was still on low, but bright light streamed through the sheer curtained windows. I sat up and rubbed my face, as Guinie began to cross the floor for the hall, in an effort to exit my presence, when a knock came on the door.  Her eyes flashed to me and I stood. I don’t know why I was holding my breath. I saw Guinie’s face drop when Layne Ascolat walked into the room.
     

 

    It only took Layne Ascolat a moment to take in the room and her face showed her emotions. Her eyes met mine for a brief second and betrayed everything. Confusion. Hurt. Her voice, however, did nothing to give away her feelings.
    “Guinie, honey, I heard what happened,” Layne spoke, as she rounded the back of the couch and headed