Matthew
I shift uncomfortably at her request. "I'm sorry, Sarah, but I can't. I have dinner plans with Amanda tonight. She's waiting for me at home."
Sarah's eyes widen, a flash of desperation crossing her delicate features. "Please, Matthew," she pleads. "I'm too scared to go home alone. What if those men know where I live? What if they try to find me?"
I observe her face. She does look genuinely scared. The rational part of my brain tells me to walk away, to keep the boundaries I've so carefully constructed. But the protective instinct that drove me to intervene in the first place won't let me leave her like this.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Alright. I'll ride with you to make sure you get home safe. But I can't stay long. I need to get back to Amanda."
Relief washes over Sarah's face, and she nods quickly. "Thank you, Matthew. Really. I promise I won't keep you long."
We climb into the cab, and Sarah gives the driver her address.
As we pull away from the curb, she leans back against the seat, closing her eyes for a moment.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," she says softly, not opening her eyes. "I know you have your own life, your own plans. I just…those men really scared me."
There's a vulnerability in her voice that catches me off guard, a rawness that I haven't heard from her before. For all her bubbly charm and relentless pursuit of my attention, in this moment, she seems utterly human. Fragile, even.
"It's okay," I reassure her, my voice gentler than I intended. "I'm glad I was there. No one should have to face something like that alone."
She opens her eyes then, turning to look at me. In the passing glow of the streetlights, her green eyes shimmer with unshed tears. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up," she admits, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine.
I swallow hard, suddenly acutely aware of how close we are in the confines of the cab. The scent of her perfume, something soft and floral, fills the air between us. "You don't have to worry about that now. You're safe."
She nods, a single tear escaping down her cheek. Without thinking, I reach out and brush it away with my thumb, the contact sending an unexpected jolt through my arm.
She suddenly leans forward and rests her head on my shoulder.
"Um…Sarah…" I start to protest.
She doesn't move, her head resting against me as if she's seeking comfort, her breathing slow and steady. T
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my thoughts clear. "Sarah, I—"
"I just… I feel safe with you," she interrupts, her voice soft, almost fragile. "I know it's weird, but after everything that happened today, I am glad you are here."
I want to pull away and remind her that this isn't a good idea and that I have boundaries. But I can't bring myself to push her off. The vulnerability in her voice, the trembling in her body, it's all too real.
I glance out the window, hoping the ride will end soon so I can get back to Amanda. My thoughts race between guilt, confusion, and a sense of responsibility to make sure Sarah's okay.
I clear my throat, trying to focus on something other than her warmth on my shoulder. "It's alright, Sarah. I'm just making sure you get home safe. That's all."
She doesn't respond right away, but I can feel the subtle shift in the air around us. She pulls back just a little, her face inches from mine. There's something in her eyes, something searching like she's looking for something in me. My heart pounds and an uncomfortable flutter builds in my chest.
"Thank you," she says again, her voice quieter this time, almost like a whisper.
The cab slows, and the driver announces we've arrived. I'm momentarily relieved. I need to get out of this confined space to clear my head.
She sits up fully, quickly wiping at her face as if she's trying to compose herself. The moment feels too intimate for comfort. I swallow down the knot in my throat. "You're here," I say, my voice a little sharper than I intended. "I'll wait until you're inside."
"Wait, you should come in for a minute," she says.
I freeze. "I really can't, Sarah. It wouldn't be appropriate," I say firmly.
She looks at me, her green eyes wide. "Just for a minute. I…I don't want to be alone right now."
I hesitate, my mind racing with a million reasons why this is a bad idea. But the pleading look in her eyes, the way her hands are still trembling slightly - it tugs at something in my chest. Against my better judgment, I find myself nodding.
"Okay. Just for a minute," I concede, already regretting the words as they leave my mouth.
We step out of the cab, and Sarah leads us to her apartment building. It's a sleek, modern high-rise, all glass and steel. The kind of place I'd expect the daughter of a wealthy CEO to live.
She unlocks the door and we step inside. The apartment is spacious and elegantly furnished, but my attention is immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a stunning view of the city skyline.
"Nice place," I comment, trying to fill the awkward silence that has settled between us.
"Thanks," Sarah replies, setting her bag down on the sleek leather couch. "Do you want something to drink? Water, coffee, wine?"
The offer of wine makes me tense. "No, thank you. I really should be going soon."
She nods, looking a little disappointed. "Right, of course. I'm sorry for keeping you."
There's an awkward pause, neither of us quite sure what to say. I glance at my watch, acutely aware of how late it's getting. Amanda must be wondering where I am.
"I should go," I say, taking a step towards the door.
"Wait," Sarah says, reaching out and grasping my arm. Her touch sends an electric jolt through me. "I just wanted to say thank you again. For everything you did tonight. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."
Her green eyes shimmer with emotion, and her face is so close to mine that I can see the faint dusting of freckles across her nose. My heart is pounding in my chest, a dizzying mix of guilt and something else I don't want to name.
"You're welcome," I manage to say, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears. "But really, it was nothing. Anyone would have done the same."
She shakes her head, her grip on my arm tightening slightly. "No, they wouldn't have. You're different, Matthew. You're…you're a good man."
"Right, but I really should go," I say, gently but firmly removing her hand from my arm. "Amanda is waiting for me."
Sarah suddenly hugs me, and I freeze. Her arms wrap around me tightly, and I feel her face pressed against my chest. Her body trembles slightly, and the softness of her breath sends a strange jolt through me. For a moment, I just stand there, unsure of what to do.
"Please, don't go yet," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "I just… I just need a moment."
I can feel her heart beating fast, and it's almost too much—too real.
I take a shaky breath and try to step back, but she only holds on tighter, her face still pressed against me. I can feel the heat from her body, and I can't seem to make myself let go. Her arms tighten as if she's afraid of losing me, and I hesitate, my thoughts tumbling over each other.
"I can't, Sarah," I say, my voice low and tight. "I really can't stay."
She doesn't let go immediately. Her body trembles even more now, but her grip softens slightly, just enough for me to pull away. She lifts her face up, her eyes still locked onto mine, shimmering with unshed tears.
"Sorry," she says softly.
"It's okay," I mutter. "Goodbye, Sarah. Get some sleep."
I rush out of the apartment.
What the hell was that?
I hurry out of Sarah's apartment building, my heart still racing and my thoughts a jumbled mess. I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head, but the scent of her perfume lingers on my shirt.
Shaking my head, I hail a cab and give the driver my address. My mind is consumed with guilt even though I know I didn't do anything wrong.
But didn't I?
What was I thinking, going up to her apartment like that? I had no business being there, no matter how scared or vulnerable she seemed. I have a girlfriend, a woman I love, waiting for me at home. And yet, for a moment, with Sarah's arms wrapped around me and her face pressed against my chest, I had hesitated.
"Hey," Amanda says when she sees me walking inside in a rush. "I was starting to get worried. Everything okay?"
I force a smile, shrugging off my jacket and hanging it by the door. "Yeah, sorry. Got held up at work." The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I can't bring myself to tell her the truth.
Amanda stands, crossing the room to greet me. She wraps her arms around my waist, leaning up to press a soft kiss to my lips. "I missed you," she murmurs, her warm breath tickling my skin.
I hug her back, burying my face in her hair and breathing in her familiar scent. "I missed you too," I whisper, and it's the truth. Being here, holding her, feels right in a way that nothing else does.
Amanda pulls back slightly, her brow furrowed. "Why do you smell like perfume?" she asks, sniffing lightly at my shirt.
My heart skips a beat. "What? No, I don't wear perfume."
She frowns, leaning in closer. "But you smell different. It's floral, like…like roses or something."
Panic rises in my throat. I step back, rubbing the back of my neck. "Oh, that. It must be from the cab I took. The driver had one of those air fresheners."
Amanda tilts her head, studying me with those perceptive brown eyes. "A cab? I thought you were taking the train today."
I swallow hard, my mind racing for an explanation. "I was, but there was a delay. Some sort of mechanical issue. I didn't want to be even later, so I caught a cab instead."
She nods slowly, but there's a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "Okay. Well, dinner's ready. I made your favorite – spaghetti bolognese."
"That sounds perfect," I say, mustering a smile. "Let me just wash up real quick."
I hurry to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me and leaning heavily against the sink. My reflection stares back at me, pale and strained. With shaking hands, I unbutton my shirt, tossing it into the hamper. The faint scent of Sarah's perfume wafts up, and I slam the lid shut.
Turning on the faucet, I splash cold water on my face, trying to calm the racing of my heart.
This is ridiculous. Nothing happened with Sarah. It was an awkward moment, nothing more. There's no reason for me to feel this guilty.
But even as I try to rationalize it, the memory of her trembling body pressed against mine, the desperation in her voice as she begged me not to leave – it haunts me. I can't shake the feeling that something has shifted, that a line has been crossed that I can't uncross.
Taking a deep breath, I dry my face and head back out to the kitchen. Amanda is setting the table, humming softly to herself. She looks up as I enter, her smile warm and loving.
"Smells amazing," I say, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. I press a kiss to her cheek, inhaling the comforting scent of her shampoo.
"I hope you're hungry," she says, leaning back into my embrace.