Free Two Dates Max by Missy Jane

pillowed my head. His warm chest against my back relaxed me.
    “Yeah, that’s good,” I whispered.
    I hadn’t slept with a man in years and didn’t know if I’d be able to now, but he held me too snuggly to allow tossing and turning. Just as I began to think I might have to leave the bed, I drifted off.

Chapter Five
     
    When I woke, he was gone and I had a moment of panic. Full consciousness came slowly as I remained in his bed taking deep, calming breaths. It slowly dawned on me that he might be somewhere else within the house. I listened hard but heard nothing over my rough breathing. So what? He probably had to get up early for work. It was Friday. Didn’t he usually open on Fridays? I simply couldn’t remember but decided to stop mulling over the possibilities and find out some truths.
    I got out of bed and made use of the bathroom, snagging a robe hanging on the back of the door. The bedroom door was closed which I found kind of odd, but I just shrugged and opened it to step into the hall. The house was quiet, not a peep from any corner. I sighed and went straight to the kitchen in search of coffee. A full pot sat waiting, still warm and with a note set before it.
    Megan, I’m sorry to leave before you wake but you looked really tired. Make yourself at home. I’ll be at work until two.
    Sean
    Though I hadn’t expected a vow of undying love or eternal devotion, I was still a little disappointed he hadn’t even bothered to draw a heart or anything. Oh well…men.
    I rummaged in the refrigerator and found yogurt and strawberries. After chasing them down with a cup of black coffee I felt much more human. Sean and I still had a lot to talk about, but if he needed time I would definitely give it to him. I threw my clothes back on and headed home to get ready for work.
    * * * * *
     
    The morning flew by and I only thought of Sean about one out of every five minutes. My shift wouldn’t end until five but he didn’t usually work out on Fridays. However, at three o’clock a familiar set of broad shoulders walked through the door and brightened my day.
    “Sean…”
    “Hey, beautiful. How’s your day been?”
    Heat infused my face and I knew I was blushing to the roots of my hair. Though we were alone at the front desk, this was the first time he’d called me beautiful in public and my pulse leapt.
    “It’s been dragging. How was yours?”
    He shrugged before adjusting the strap of his gym bag. “Mine dragged a bit too.”
    I smiled and barely fought the urge to reach out and touch him. Fraternizing with the members was seriously frowned upon. I’d rationalized that since Sean was practically my neighbor, and the manager of the store I shopped at, he didn’t count. I just didn’t want to test my boss’s view of that theory.
    “How long are you working out today?” I asked.
    He shrugged again and looked around the gym before glancing at his watch. “Probably an hour.”
    I tried to hide my disappointment that he wouldn’t be staying until my quitting time.
    “Okay. Well…have a good workout.”
    He smirked at my standard line before heading off to the locker room. Of course I watched him walk away.
    The next hour breezed by and a few minutes after four Sean walked up to the counter again. I was trying to talk to an irate customer but the woman wouldn’t let me get a word in.
    “I don’t care who dropped the ball this time. That hot tub is out of order again and that is unacceptable.”
    “Yes ma’am, you’re right and I apologi—”
    “Where is your manager? I demand to see the manager right this minute.”
    I called for Ryan again over the PA system but suspected he was hiding. This particular member “demanded to see the manager” at least every other week. Sometimes she had valid complaints like the current hot tub situation, but others…not so much. I secretly thought she had a crush on Ryan but wasn’t sure how to go about getting his number.
    “Ma’am, I apologize but Mr. Ryan