Torrid Affair

by Callie Anderson

  “You cold?”

  Before I could answer, Nate pulled his jacket off his body and settled it over my shoulders. “I should have told you to grab a sweater before we left.” He ran his hands up my arms to warm me. Little did he know that my body was overheating from his touch. My heart sped in my chest; his scent was laced around my body, making it impossible to breathe, let alone form coherent thought.

  “I—I’m okay.” Nate didn’t move. His emerald green eyes were locked on mine. His tongue slid across his lips and I swallowed back any words that tried to escape. He was mere inches from me. The last time we stood this close he half-kissed me goodbye.

  “Brielle.” He whispered my name but I heard it. His hand rose up from my arm and grabbed a curl that had fallen to my cheek. Gently, he twirled his finger around it and let it bounce. My eyes closed as I anticipated what he was about to do. I desperately wanted him to kiss me. At that very moment, I needed it more than I needed to breathe. His half-kiss had haunted me for the past three months.

  “Plea—” I began to say but was cut short when his phone rang. Nate dropped his hand from my face and I lowered my gaze to the ground. What the hell were we doing?

  “Yeah?” he answered his cell. “No, I had to run to the store. She’s with me. We’re on our way back now.” He didn’t say good-bye before he shoved his phone back in his pocket. I went to move back but he stopped me, his hand grasping my elbow. I looked back up at him and his eyes were dark. An expression of need flashed through them.

  “We should go,” I managed to whispered.

  Nate tugged on me and pulled me closer to him, his arms draped over my body and holding me flush against his chest. I fit perfectly in his arms, like a puzzle piece meeting its match, every edge lined up.

  We didn’t speak. Instead, I buried my head in his chest and welcomed his warm body. I could feel his heart racing in his chest. This was affecting him, too. Whatever this was, he felt it.

  Nate held me for seventy-six seconds. I knew because I counted. I Mississippi counted every second I was in his arms. Before he pulled away, he kissed the top of my head and then, in one swift motion, he let me go and we headed back to the car. I was left breathless and more confused than ever before. A few seconds in Nate’s arms and I couldn’t think. I felt high.

  Never once had I felt that way with Julian. Never once was his hug so intoxicating it left me dizzy.

  But I pushed those thoughts out of my head as I followed behind Nate.

  We drove back to the house in silence.

  Nate parked in the driveway and jumped out before I could even unbuckle my seatbelt.

  “Wait!” I shouted and he looked over at me with his hand on the door. I kicked the door open and stood. Removing his jacket, I handed it over to him. “Thank you.”

  A small grin grew on his face as he took the jacket from my hand. He bowed his head and walked toward the house without a single word.

  Louisa, Del and I had finished in the kitchen and no one mentioned that Nate and I had disappeared. After dinner, we found our way to the basement where the TV played in the background and Nate and Julian reminisced about the times they snuck out of the house. Delaney sat on Nate’s lap and listened to every word. I, on the other hand, felt exhausted. My body ached and it felt impossible to keep my eyes open.

  “Babe.” Julian leaned into me and kissed my cheek. “Are you okay?”

  I shook my head slightly. “I think I’m just tired. It was a long day.”

  Julian ran his hand up my leg to comfort me. “Do you want to call it a night?” I knew from the tone of his voice he wasn’t ready for bed.

  “I’m going to lie down.” I pushed off the couch. Julian moved to stand and I stopped him. “Stay.” I leaned down and kissed his lips softly. “I’m okay. Come to bed when you’re done here. Please don’t rush because of me, okay?” I gave him a reassuring smile.

  Julian pulled my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “Babe, I can go with you.”

  “It’s okay, really. My head is starting to hurt.”

  I wished everyone a good night and made my way up to Julian's bedroom. The exhaustion I felt in the basement seemed to disappear once I rested my head on the pillow. I closed my eyes and hoped sleep would come, but it never did. Instead, I stared at the clock on the night stand, tucking my hands under my chin and watching the minutes pass.

  Twenty minutes later there was a soft tap on the door before it pushed opened slightly. Nate’s kind eyes greeted me. “Hi,” he whispered. “Did I wake you?” He walked further into the room.

  “No.” I shook my head and sat up on the bed.

  “You okay?” he asked as he sat on the edge of the bed. Unable to speak, I nodded. “I was worried it was something I did that had you wanting to go to sleep.”

  I felt a smile tug on my lips. “No. I feel run down, that’s all.”

  Nate’s gaze dropped and his hand reached for mine. He ran his thumb across my knuckles. “Do you feel that?” he muttered. I swallowed and an ache grew in my chest. “You do, don’t you?”

  I lowered my chin to my chest, unable to answer him. It was as though he was stoking a fire. A fire I so desperately wanted to put out. “Nate . . .” I closed my eyes.

  “What is it about you that has me like this?” He asked the question out loud but I knew he didn’t expect an answer. His hand moved up my arm and he twirled his fingers around a loose curl.

  My heart felt as though it would explode in my chest at any second. “What are we doing? I’m here with Julian. I’m in his bed.”

  “I’m being your friend, Brie. Can we be friends?”

  We both knew that friends didn’t hug the way we hugged, nor did friends have an electrical current running through them when they touched. We couldn’t be friends. We should have been enemies. It would have been easier to hate him than to not fall in love with him.

  But we lied.

  “Yes.” I sighed. “We can be friends.”

  Nate reached for my cheek. His hands were warm and rough around the edges. I wanted them on my body.

  This was wrong.

  This was insane.

  But I didn’t stop him.

  I closed my eyes, not wanting to know what was coming next. “Goodnight, Brie,” he said in a hushed tone. I felt his lips on my forehead. How could a gesture so simple have such a powerful effect?

  “’Night,” I whispered.

  He pulled his hand away from my cheek slowly and stood. I kept my eyes closed until I heard the door close behind him.

  I was fucked.

  What the hell was I going to do with the pent up emotions in my chest?

  I dropped my head back to the pillow, the skin on my forehead still tingled from where his lips had touched it.

  I closed my eyes again. In my head, I lived in a different universe where Nate and I were together. When I heard the door open again I didn’t move. I knew it was Julian coming to bed. I faked that I was asleep. He shut the light off and I felt him crawl under the covers. He kissed the side of my head and wished me goodnight. I kept the vision of Nate with me in my head until sleep eventually found me.

  I woke up on Thanksgiving morning with my throat on fire, my head clogged, and unable to breathe through my nose. Everything was stuffy. My joints ached when I tried to move. I rolled over to Julian and was greeted by his smile.

  “Morning, sleepyhead.”

  “Morning,” I croaked. My throat burned when I swallowed.

  “Shit, babe. You’re really sick.”

  I closed my eyes. It was impossible to breath. “I don’t feel so well.”

  “We have to head out to the soup kitchen soon, but why don’t we skip that and sleep in.”

  “No.” My throat ached. “I don’t want you to miss a family tradition because of me.”

  “Okay.” Julian pulled me closer to him and kissed the top of my head. “No one will be here, so you’ll have some peace and quiet.”

  “’Kay,” I grunted
and turned back to sleep.

  I awoke a few hours later with the sun peeking in through the curtains. My head pounded but the aches in my body had subsided. I diagnosed myself with a head cold as it felt as if I was underwater. Stretching my hands over my head, I yawned and got out of bed. It was eleven in the morning and soon everyone would be back from the shelter. The house was cold and silent, and the wooden steps creaked as I made my way toward the kitchen. Unable to breathe out of my nose had made my mouth dry.

  I scanned the room looking for an empty glass when I spotted a small tray with my name on it.

  Brielle,

  Sorry you're feeling under the weather. I've left some cold medication out for you. Also, there are peppermint oils in the bathroom if you want to take a warm shower. It will help clear your sinuses.

  Love, Louisa

  I poured myself a cup of orange juice and decided Louisa’s advice would be beneficial. The congestion in my head was so much that I figured a nice warm shower would help. Pulling aside the shower curtain, I turned on the shower and dabbed a few squirts of peppermint and eucalyptus oil into the corners of the free standing shower before I undressed.

  The hot water on my skin felt like heaven. The fragrance of the mint and eucalyptus traveled up to my sinuses and I was able to finally breathe freely. Though my head still felt like as though it was drowning, I began to feel much better than when I first woke.

  I washed my hair, then stood under the water for a few more minutes before I turned it off and pulled the curtain back. As I reached for the towel, the bathroom door swung open and I was greeted with Nate’s tall frame. I screamed as I tried to cover my bare body.

  “Dude! What the fuck?”

  Nate pulled the ear phones from his ears. “Oh, shit.” A grin grew on his face.

  “Seriously! Get out!”

  Nate’s grin grew even wider. I reached for the tissue box on the vanity and threw it at him. He finally closed the door but it was too late. Embarrassment burned through my body.

  I dressed for dinner, did my hair and makeup, and stayed in Julian’s room until they arrived home from the soup kitchen, trying to avoid Nate. Once everyone was home, Julian hopped in the shower and I finally felt it was safe to come out of hiding. Louisa was in the kitchen whipping up dinner, and I helped by setting up the appetizer table.

  Delaney was upstairs adding the finishing touches to her makeup, so I had to meet Julian’s aunts and uncles without a buffer. After I greeted each of them, I focused on decorating the vegetables for my crudité to look like a turkey. Nate appeared and reached for a carrot.

  “Hi.”

  “Go away. I’m not talking to you.”

  “I wanted to apologize for walking in on you.”

  “Go. Away.”

  “Brie, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” He grinned.

  “What were you doing home anyway? Everyone was supposed to be at the soup kitchen. And why wouldn’t you knock first?”

  “I never go to the shelter,” he stated. “And I did knock. You didn’t hear me.”

  “Liar!” I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to look at him. “You didn’t knock.”

  “Okay, I didn’t knock.” He chuckled. “Come on, don’t be mad. My brother is a lucky guy.”

  My eyes widened as I turned to face him. He was dressed in a navy blue knitted sweater and dark blue jeans. His hair was styled back and his eyes looked almost blue. He licked his lips and I nearly lost my composure.

  “I’m not mad. I want to pretend it didn’t happen, so therefore, I need you to turn around and walk the other way.”

  “Brie…” His eyes scanned my body.

  “Don’t look at me like that!” I slapped his elbow.

  “Look at you how?”

  “Like you’ve seen me naked.” I grunted through gritted teeth.

  Nate chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?” Delaney asked. She had spent a good hour getting ready and it showed. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun and the brown and gold eye shadows made her eyes pop.

  “Your boyfriend is making fun of me for being sick.”

  “Babe . . .” She dragged out the word. Her hands wrapped around his waist and she looked up at him with a loving glance. “Be nice.”

  “Do you want something to drink?” he asked her and then looked over at me.

  Delaney stood on her tippy toes and kissed his lips. “I’ll have a vodka tonic.”

  I wanted to know what it was like to kiss him. “I’m good, thanks.”

  Delaney watched as Nate walked out of the living room and toward the kitchen. “God, he has the most perfect ass, right?”

  “I’m not staring at your boyfriend’s ass.”

  Delaney giggled and laced her arm with mine. “Do you want to go socialize with our future in-laws?”

  “Not really. I'm still sick.”

  She frowned. “That stinks, Brie.”

  “It’s okay. I’m high as a kite on some cold medication Louisa gave me.”

  Julian snuck up behind me and kissed the back of my neck. I could smell the liquor on his breath. “You’re so beautiful.” His teeth bit my flesh. “Have I told you that today?”

  “Julian.” I pulled away and turned back to face him. “You have family here.”

  “I know but it's hard to keep my hands off you.” He tugged at my waist and brought me flush to his body. “Later, I’m going to kiss every inch of your body,” he said in a loud whisper. Delaney giggled and I heard Nate grunt.

  “Okay. Well, I’ll go help your mom and aunts in the kitchen.” I turned to reach for Delaney. “You coming?” I didn’t wait for her to respond as I tugged her with me. I noticed that Nate kept his head down, refusing to meet my gaze.

  Thanksgiving dinner was filled with laughter as Louisa shared stories of the boys growing up. The food was delicious, and Delaney and I cleaned up the kitchen as a thank you for their hospitality.

  By the time I headed to bed, I was exhausted, so I popped two NyQuil in my mouth and welcomed the comatose sleep that would soon take over my body. Julian’s arm looped around my body, my back against his chest as he kissed my neck.

  It was then that I heard them. Nate and Delaney. The wall where Julian’s headboard rested was a common wall to Nate’s room. Delaney moaned and their bed creaked.

  They were fucking.

  Pain pinched my chest. I closed my eyes and hoped the drugs would knock me out, but Julian pressed his growing erection to my lower back. His lips kissed my shoulder with hunger.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Come on, Brie.” He pushed his pelvis further into my back.

  “Julian, stop.” I reached for his hip that had been grinding on my ass.

  “I’ve been a patient man—”

  “This isn't going to work.” I spun around to face him. “I’m sorry, Julian, but what you want from me I can’t give you because I don't feel the same.” I scanned his eyes. “I don't want to lead you on and give you empty promises. I love spending time with you, but I want to be your friend.”

  “Damn . . .”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Julian scoffed and stood. “Yeah, I'm sure you are.” He grunted and stalked out of the room.

  I ignored his comment.

  I ignored Delaney’s whimpers.

  I ignored Nate’s heavy breathing.

  And I ignored the jealousy that grew in my chest.

  Chapter 9

  Brielle

  Julian spent that night on the couch and we drove home in silence the following day. I spent the rest of the weekend catching up on homework and ignoring his calls and texts. Delaney had caught my cold and spent the remainder of the weekend in bed as I fetched her soup and Gatorade. I didn’t tell her that Julian and I broke up; I wasn't in the mood for her inquisition. She spent the weekend ignoring her boyfriend. She said she didn’t want him to see her like this. In other words, she was too tired to put on makeup.

  A week after Thank
sgiving, Julian and I finally spoke. He’d messaged me a few times wanting friendship; we agreed we would remain friends, and he reminded me I would always have a place in his heart.

  Everything was right in the world again.

  The semester was coming to a close and there were only a few more buildings to study for my art class. On Wednesday, I arrived at the parking deck downtown, hopped out of my car, and headed toward the Bank of America Corporate Center. It was the tallest building in Charlotte, standing at 871 feet, and had floor to ceiling windows that made it look as if it was all glass.

  After hearing Nate with Delaney on Thanksgiving, I didn’t want to look at him. I needed some distance. Once the semester was over, we would no longer be in class together, things would go back to normal, and I wouldn't be green with envy at the fact he had sex with his girlfriend.

  I stood on the main street that directly faced the building. The massive building’s long glass windows appeared blue as they reflected the brilliant sky. At the uppermost point, a tower topped the building like a crown. I was writing a few notes on my notepad when I heard him behind me.

  “You couldn’t wait for me?”

  “Sorry,” I responded but never pulled my gaze from what I was writing. “I wanted to get this assignment done. I still have a paper to write.” I shoved my pen in the crease of the notepad and closed it.

  “You’re a bad liar.” A grin pulled his mouth back.

  A cool breeze blew and I held my breath so I wouldn’t smell his cologne. “I’m not lying.”

  “Yes, you are.” He stepped closer, his body tall and lean against mine. “I can tell.”

  “How so?” My voice cracked.

  “Your eyebrows pinch together.” His thumb grazed my forehead. “It’s like you’re forcing yourself to believe the lie.”

  “Whatever.” I swatted his hand away.

  “Is it because I saw you naked?” His lips pursed and a sly grin overtook his features.

  His words caught me by surprise. I needed to be mad at him. I needed to forget whatever I felt for him. This was wrong. In every sense of the word this was beyond fucked up.