Two Dates Max by Missy Jane

double glass doors, which reflected the fluorescent gym lights back at me. It was already dark outside so I couldn’t see beyond them. When I reached to push one, it opened on its own and I stumbled.
    “Shit.”
    “Megan.”
    Sean grabbed me as I tried to regain my balance, keeping me from falling face-first out the door.
    “Damn it!” I didn’t mean to be so aggravated, but it had been a really shitty day.
    “Sorry. I thought you saw me opening the door.”
    I shook my head and stepped away from him. “No, I didn’t. You’re late.”
    One corner of his mouth went up in a slight smile. “Yeah. Work.”
    He was wearing his red shorts, my second favorite, and a black t-shirt, which hugged his chest well. I really didn’t want to ogle him, but he looked so damn good and it was almost habit at that point.
    “No gym bag?” I asked.
    “No. I was running late and forgot it.”
    A couple approached the door and we had to move. Sean grasped my elbow and pulled me outside. He walked me to my car without a word, and I was too tired to think of anything intelligent to say. As I fished my keys from my purse he released my arm and put his hand on my hip. That got my attention and I frowned up at him.
    “How badly did I fuck up yesterday, Megan?”
    The parking lot was well lit and his expression showed true regret. I had to swallow against the burning in my throat, only then realizing I was close to tears.
    I shrugged weakly but then looked him in the eye so he could see the truth of my words.
    “You hurt me,” I whispered.
    He looked a little shocked at first, but placed his palms on either side of my face.
    “I didn’t mean to…I swear.”
    I thought he’d kiss me then, but he pulled me into his arms and held me instead. I melted against him, inhaling his scent and letting his strength surround me. It felt so damn good, most of my anger simply disappeared. His heartbeat soothed me as his warm breath ghosted across my temple.
    “I was just…I let something get to me that I should’ve let go of a long time ago. It won’t happen again.”
    I nodded against his chest even though I had no clue what he was talking about. I just wanted to stand there forever and let him hold me. He did for a few minutes, but then tightened his embrace before letting his arms relax. His hands stayed on my hips as I looked up.
    “Come home with me, Megan. I’ll make dinner.”
    My pulse leapt and I was struck momentarily speechless. My body was screaming yes but my head and heart were more cautious.
    “Umm…”
    He frowned at my reluctance. “Just dinner. Nothing more than you want.”
    He raised one hand slowly, as if afraid to spook me, and brushed strands of hair from my face. My ponytail had gotten loose over the course of the night and I hadn’t even noticed. I’d been distracted by thoughts of Sean. But now that he was here offering to take me home I was wary. Would giving in now allow him to be an asshole again later? I closed my eyes as I thought it over and he placed a light kiss on each of my eyelids. His gentleness won me over. I opened my eyes to find him studying me with a concerned frown.
    “Um, yeah. That’s fine. Dinner sounds good.”
    He released a breath and grinned. “Great. Follow me home?”
    I just shrugged. “Sure.”
    His grin faded, but he remained silent as I stepped out of his arms and opened my car door. I got in and put on my seatbelt under his watchful eye.
    “I’m heading down the frontage road, okay?”
    I nodded and put my keys in the ignition. He didn’t say anything else, just shut my door and went to his truck. I released a sigh and shook my head, not knowing what was wrong with me. A sudden funk had descended as soon as he’d offered to take me home but I didn’t know why. Was I worried about having sex with him? I did want to, but not as another notch on his bedpost. He’d never seemed like the type to expect it no matter how many dates we had, but I never really knew what he was