by C. M. Owens
When the night is close to being over, I pull her up from her seat, wishing we could stay up all night, but I have too much to do tomorrow.
"I'm spent. I'll warn you, there will be people still passed out in the morning, so don't run around in your tank and panties."
When her cheeks turn pink, I can't help but chuckle softly. "You staying to party more?" I ask, knowing I'll stay up if she says yes. No way in hell is she staying up without me.
"Um... no. I think I lost Ember, though."
Who? Oh. Her friend who barely hung out with her. Not that I'm complaining. It left Raya free for me, and after tonight, I'm pretty sure this platonic thing between us isn't going to work. That kiss... it changed a lot. A hell of a lot.
"She'll turn up. I'll walk you to your room."
Because I can't help but touch her right now, I keep my hand on her back to guide her up the stairs. She doesn't seem to mind, which makes it harder not to do something stupid.
Opening her door is a big mistake. Garbled moans strike my ears before the drunken sex catches my eyes. Ember's face is barely visible against the moonlight, and I hold back a shot of laughter when Raya squeaks.
"Ohholyshit," she utters with sheer mortification, stumbling backwards while slamming the door.
She gets tripped up because of her sexy heels, and I catch her, enjoying yet another excuse to touch her.
"I guess Ember just showed up," I quip, reveling in her maroon face.
"I couldn't tell who it was," she breathlessly mutters, implying that she looked down at the connection instead of up at the visible face. Interesting.
"I should have warned you to lock your door. Looks like you'll need another mattress," I say through a small laugh, helping to steady her. And then genius strikes. Though I'm sure my cock will forever hate me after this. "Come on. You can sleep in my room. You'll find something a hell of a lot worse in all my other guest rooms. Mel's game always gets people riled up."
"I can just crash on the couch."
Yeah... I didn't think it'd be that easy, but it was worth a shot.
I snort, trying to lay it on thick. "With this many people still here? Not happening. These people are notorious for pranking the sleeper. It's no big deal. My bed is massive. It'll be like you're all by yourself."
I don't want her sleeping anywhere but with me, because people will notice if she and I aren't in the same room. I had a feeling something would be going on in her room, which is why I may have accidentally forgotten to mention something about locking her door.
Am I a bastard? Probably. Do I care? Not in the least. Raya is going to be in my bed. My cheeky grin stays discreet.
She follows me without further argument, much to my relief. This is actually a little easier than I thought it'd be. Maybe tonight has warmed her up to me.
"I'll grab you a shirt and some shorts," I say after keying in the code to unlock my room and flicking on the light. Just to tease her and lighten the air, I add, "Unless you want to run and grab something from your room."
"Hell no," she says promptly, shuddering a little in disgust, and I can't help but let a deep laugh loose.
She looks nervous and unsure, as though she's waiting on me to say something. So, I do. "Shut and lock the door."
It sounds a little bit like a gentle command, but it works.
I ruffle through my drawers, finding the newest pair of boxers I have. I've never had a girl in my clothes before. After finding a suitable shirt, I pull out the combination and see her still staring at the door, tension gathering in her body. Is she nervous or scared?
"Here," I say, prompting her to turn around.
When I hand her the clothes, I notice her eyes drop and study the boxers as a new shade of red darkens her cheeks. I'd really love to know what she's thinking right now.
"You can change in the bathroom. I'll change out here," I say while pulling my shirt over my head, probing for a reaction.
I don't fight fair.
Once my shirt is gone, I'm pleased to see it has the desired effect. Her eyes are on me—glued to me, really. Oh damn, she just pulled that sexy lip into her mouth and bit on it. Yeah... my cock and I will be at war tonight because I'm not going to take advantage. But at least I know she's definitely interested.
I'm not looking for a serious relationship at this point in my life, and with Raya, anything less would be unacceptable. But then again, Raya is only eighteen. She might want something casual, too, and it'd be stupid to allow her to do it with anyone but me.
Slow. I'll go slow. It'll happen naturally.
"What do the tattoos mean?" she asks, shamelessly still taking me in.
My grin is involuntary as I toss my shirt to the dresser, loving the way she can't stop looking. Tag took me to get my first tattoo. It was simply to piss off my father. It worked. From there, I just started getting them as I pleased—inking my memories.
"They're blended together, but they all mean different things. There are different points in my life I wanted to remember, so I did what I wanted to in order to mark them. I don't get one anywhere I can't cover it up easily. You going to change?"
She's still staring. I'm already hard as a rock. I'd drop my pants just to really drive things home, but then she'd see the tent in my boxers. I'm sure it's already visible through my jeans, but it'd be impossible to miss through my boxers. One of two things would happen: she'd jump me and ravage my body, or she'd run out of here completely humiliated.
Considering I think it'd be the latter of the two, I decide to keep my pants on and have mercy on her.
"Raya? You okay?" I ask through a teasing snicker.
She might as well be running right now. I've never seen anyone dart into a bathroom so quickly. It's a damn good thing I didn't drop my pants.
I change quickly, but to be cruel, I leave my shirt off. I want her to look at me that way more. My phone buzzes, and I grab it to see what's going on. Tag. I'm surprised he didn't come tonight.
Tag: Who the hell are you dating? Just saw Joseph Martin. Says you beat the hell out of him.
If Joseph thought that was beating the hell out of him, then he'd really better steer clear of my gir— I mean... Raya.
Me: Long story. Can't talk right now though. I'll text later.
I start to put my phone down, but it buzzes immediately.
Tag: You're getting fucked right now, aren't you? Bastard. All the women here are too drunk. :(
I hold back a laugh, and then groan internally. This is going to be a hard night.
I hear the door open, but I'm almost afraid to look at Raya wearing my clothes. Considering where my head is at—thanks to Tag—that would probably be a bad idea.
"Just toss your dress on my dresser. I'll send it to the drycleaners with my stuff," I say while sending Tag one last message.
Ah, hell. Did she just gasp? I can feel her eyes on me. This night is going to be brutal.
Me: I'm luckier than you. That's all I've got to say.
I look up just as she's putting her dress where I told her, and I regret it immediately. Those are officially my favorite pair of boxers.
"You need me to set an alarm or anything?" I ask, trying not to groan when I see her sliding under the covers of my bed.
"No. You can just toss me out with the sun, though."
I laugh, mostly because it's a nervous reaction. I can't say anything else. I'm afraid my voice will break because the hard-on I have on is just too painful. Instead, I get as close to the edge of the bed as I can, and then I pretend as though I won't be fucking her all night in my dreams.
Chapter Seven
Raya's lips are on mine, her body is pliant and ready, and she folds to my will with every breath. My body is dripping sweat, hers is glistening, and we're connected as I thrust in hard, reveling in her desperate moans to have more.
I tell her how good she feels as she cries out my name. Her walls clench around me, letting me know she's close, and then—
What the hell?
I ope
n my eyes to see my hand roughly owning Raya's breast, my body curled around her, and my hard-on from hell pressing against her. And fucking hell, she's awake.
"Christ!" I gasp.
I dive backwards, needing as much distance between us as possible. I'm so hard that I'm worried I'm going to be sick without release. Great. Now I look like a damn pervert.
"Shit, Raya. I'm sorry," I mumble, wiping my eyes, praying this is one horrible dream. Dream. Shit. That's what started this. Why'd I have to be dreaming that?
She sits up, yawning and acting as though she wasn't awake. Bullshit. I felt how stiff she was beneath me, probably freaking out.
"Sorry for?" she asks, playing dumb. "I just woke up."
She wants to pretend it didn't happen, and I'm more than fine with that.
"Never mind. I need to grab a shower. You good?" I ask, making sure this isn't about to drive a wedge between us.
"Yeah," she drawls, faking another yawn. "Maybe Ember has left my room. I'd like a shower, too."
My whole body goes rigid. A tree has more flexibility than I do at this point. As if I need the image of her body getting wet in the shower after just dreaming that shit.
"If she's not, then just come back down. You can use my shower when I'm done," I say, trying to rid my mind of the new images that causes.
If she has to use my shower, I'll never be able to walk around without being fully erect again. This is crazy. Raya and I make no sense at all as a couple. None. She's so damn sweet, and I'm a detached prick who doesn't do well in relationships. I should stay away, but it's really hard to do when she's looking at me the way she was all night last night.
"You okay?" she asks, seeming genuinely concerned.
I was the one groping her, and she's asking me if I'm okay. I really didn't need another reason to feel like a jerk.
"Yeah. I'm fine," I mutter, finally looking at her, but she's already leaving the room by the time I answer.
I hope this isn't the start of something awkward. Raya is easy to be around, and I'd like to think I'm capable of being with her, but at the same time I have so much to focus on, and... Fuck! This is driving me crazy! Since when do I give a damn about relationships?
Shower. I need a cold shower now.
"Are you at least being nice to her?" Dad asks, irritating me. He's like a relentless poison ivy rash that grows more annoying by the second.
I was a little too nice to Raya this morning. He certainly doesn't need to know that.
"Of course I am. Believe it or not, I'm actually a very likable person, and it's not because I'm a dick," I grumble.
"Is she coming to the charity event?"
I haven't even asked her yet. This is the fourth time he's reminded me, but it's been the last thing on my mind the past couple of days.
"She will. I'll make sure she does."
He sits silently on the phone for a minute. Then he says, "You sound different. Is everything okay?"
Great. If he's acting concerned, I must sound like I'm on a ledge. The silent treatment Raya has given me since this morning is getting to me.
"I'm fine. I'll go talk to Raya about going. See you then."
I hang up before he can argue with me, and then I quietly head up the stairs.
She's been in her room all day. All day. I really messed up by being all over her in the bed this morning, because now I've gone and made things weird between us.
I was going to drop it. In all actuality, it's smart. Relationships get messy, complicated, and very distracting. Raya is already a tad bit of an addiction. What happens if I get more than just a taste? Because that kiss has had my mind wrecked all night and all day. A kiss. A simple, motherfucking kiss is driving me crazy. What happens if we do more?
But unfortunately, I have to have more. Stupid? Yes. Rational? No. Practical? Not even a little. But I can't help myself because I can't think about anything but her right now. So... screw it.
I pause at her door and take a deep breath before barely knocking on it.
"Yeah?" she says, sounding tense.
I knew she was avoiding me.
"Raya?" I ask, stepping through the door, and suddenly I feel like a fourteen-year-old in front of a pretty girl at a school dance—awkward and uncomfortable.
I should have my manhood revoked.
"Yeah," she says, her eyes moving to the book in her lap.
She's back to cold Raya. I don't like cold Raya as much as I like carefree, flirty Raya.
"You okay? You haven't come out of your room all day. Did... is... does this have anything to do with this morning?" Great. Now I've developed a stutter. Where the hell have my balls gone?
She seems to think about it for a minute, and then she stops short of rolling her eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I have to finish reading this for class. The only thing that happened this morning was you woke up and took a shower. Beyond that, nothing else happened."
Liar.
This whole thing is making me nervous and unsure of myself. I miss my confidence. What's she doing to me?
While pocketing my hands, I look at the floor, hoping that helps me sound like an articulate man instead of a squirmy boy.
"You... Look, I don't know why I was spiraled around you or why you're pretending you didn't notice, but we can't make this awkward. I apparently like the way you feel when I sleep. No big deal."
Yeah, so it's a lie—a pathetic one at that. But if she can lie, so can I. Right now I just want this irksome tension gone.
"Kade, I really do have to read this. As for you liking the way I feel when you sleep, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."
She smiles up at me to sell her lie this time. If she wants to play like everything is okay, then I'm going to make sure it really is okay. Taking a chance, I go to drop down on her bed.
"New sheets?" I ask, feeling the clean, soft fabric beneath me. How does it already smell like her? Damn, it smells good.
"Two strangers were in my bed, so yes. New bedding all around."
I could have sworn that was Ember.
"It wasn't Ember in here?"
"Ember is still a stranger. I just met her Friday. I only invited her because she's one of the few people I've met who wasn't making fun of me."
She's snippy, guarded, and totally icy right now. The Raya I had last night is a rare gem. The Raya in the bed is a distant person with too many walls.
"You're different today," I murmur, desperate to get back the Raya no one else gets to see.
After I pull my phone out, I scan through the numerous pictures I took last night, landing on one of her that makes me smile immediately. Then I send it to her, ready to remind her how beautiful she is when she doesn't have a shield wrapped around her.
Her phone buzzes almost immediately, and I watch her lean over, pathetically letting my eyes drop to her ass for the few brief seconds it's off the bed.
"I'm just exhausted. Someone made me go to this party until early this morning," she jokes, still masking the fact she's uncomfortable around me.
When she reads the text, her smile blooms—a real, genuine, warming smile. My chest tightens again at the mere sight of it. She's the only one to evoke such a reaction, and I'm starting to really enjoy it.
"That party had you smiling, so it couldn't have been too bad. I thought you might want a reminder about what fun looks like, in case you forget sometime soon."
"Thanks," she says with a sweet laugh.
Thank God. My Raya is back.
"Better. Hungry? You've been hiding all day, so I assume you've got to be starving."
"I ate some of my tuna earlier. I have a few cans up here."
Ah hell. My nose wrinkles as I subtly sniff the air, but all I smell is her delicious scent. There's no way I'm immune to that canned shit's smell.
"That's disgusting. I'm actually getting so used to the smell that I didn't even notice it. Why the hell do you eat so much tuna? It can't possibly be that good,"
I say, feeling my stomach churn.
I think she loves rolling her eyes at me. She turns her attention back to the book before saying, "It's that cheap."
I sit up immediately, feeling my anger try to bubble over. Oh hell no! I've done nothing but be good to her, and she's going to act as though I won't let her have food from the pantry? She might as well slap me in the damn face.
"Wait. You're eating that shit because you don't have money or something?" I ask, barely keeping myself from raising my voice.
Shame crosses her eyes. Or embarrassment. I'm not sure which.
"No. I've got some money, but food is just food. It's something that goes in your stomach to keep you alive. I'm not going to spend massive amounts of money on something just to enjoy it for a few minutes."
Food is food? She's not going to spend money? She doesn't have to spend money, dammit. Christ, it's one of the perks of living with me—a food lover.
"Hell no," I growl, fuming at this point.
I pull her out of the bed, ready to drag her pretty little ass down the stairs and force feed her.
"What the hell, Kade?" she says in a new octave, sounding either startled or mad.
Well, if she's mad, she can just be mad. But she'll be mad with a full stomach that isn't defiled by canned tuna.
"Have you seen the pantry? There's more shit in there than anyone can eat, and you're choking down that vile shit because you need to save cash? That's a little insulting, Raya. Go find something that you want to eat."
A familiar sound bubbles free from her lips, but it doesn't hold the charm it normally does. She's laughing at me? Why is she laughing at me? I'm not joking. This isn't funny.
"Kade, believe it or not, it's not vile. I grew up on tuna in a can. It's what we lower class citizens do."
I keep pulling her as I process her words. I don't know how she grew up, but she's here with me now. She needs to live like I do, or I'll feel like shit.
"Promise me you'll start acting like you live here, too," I say at last, coming down off my crazy high.
I stop and turn to look at her, making sure she sees how dead serious I am.
"I promise," she says, her smile trying to spread.