by E. L. Todd
If I believed it long enough, maybe it would be true.
***
Arsen walked me to my door then kissed me hard on the mouth. “Don’t call me.”
“How will I know if you’re okay?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll call you when I can.”
I didn’t want him to go. I wrapped my arms around his neck then held him close. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, holding onto me. He held me for a long time, struggling to let go.
“You’ll be safe,” he whispered. “I promise.”
“I know.”
He cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “I’m so sorry about this.”
“It’s okay, Arsen. Don’t blame yourself.”
“But I’m the only one to blame.” He kissed me one more time before he pulled away. “And don’t come to my apartment for any reason. I mean it.”
“Okay…”
“Promise me.” He looked to my eyes for confirmation.
“I promise.”
He gave me one final look before he turned around and walked off.
I watched him go, feeling my heart go with him.
Chapter Fourteen
Theo
When I woke up at noon the next day, Alex was wrapped around me like I was a teddy bear. Her leg was between mine, and her face was pressed into my neck. My arm was hooked around her waist, and the smell of her hair came into my nose.
When I first woke up, I didn’t stir. My eyes were heavy with sleep and I released a deep breath. I wanted to stretch but I didn’t want to wake up Alex. When my hand moved down her back, I realized she didn’t have any bottoms on. Only her panties covered her down below. She must have gotten hot in the middle of the night and taken them off. I kept the blanket over us so I wouldn’t see anything.
She finally stirred and released a deep sigh. Her hand clutched my chest and she squeezed me slightly. She finally came around then stiffened. Suddenly, she sat up and looked at me with wide eyes.
What did I do?
She lifted the blanket and looked down at our bodies. Then she forced the blanket back down, panic in her eyes. “You’re such a fucking asshole.” She jumped out of bed and searched for her clothes.
What? “What are you pissed about?”
She grabbed my jeans and chucked them at my head. “I knew you were a jerk but this is just ridiculous.”
“What the hell did I do?” I demanded.
She turned around and changed quickly. “Fuck you, Theo. Fuck you.” She stormed out of the room.
I chased after her in my boxers. “Whoa, calm down.”
She grabbed my remote and threw it at me.
“Shit.” I blocked it. “Calm the hell down.”
“I can’t believe you took advantage of me and slept with me! You’re a horrible person. Horrible!”
Now it made sense. “I didn’t sleep with you! Well, I did, but not in the way you think. We just slept together, in the same bed. Now stop throwing a damn hissy fit!”
She eyed me warily, a textbook in her hand.
“Don’t you dare throw that at me.”
Indecision was in her eyes.
“Do you not remember what happened last night? At all?”
“Maybe…”
So that’s a no. “I saw you at the bar and you could barely stand. I took you back here because you couldn’t remember where you lived. We had Taco Bell then went to bed.”
“Why the hell would you sleep with me?” she asked. “Why didn’t you stay on the couch?”
“You asked me to!”
“I did?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yeah…when you’re drunk, you’re open, vulnerable, and sweet. I want that Alex back.”
“What else did I say?” She lowered the book.
“Stuff.” I shrugged.
“What kind of stuff?” she demanded.
“Well, for one, you think I’m handsome.” I gave her a playful smirk.
Her cheeks reddened slightly. “No, I didn’t say that.”
“You bet your ass you did. Then you took off your dress and tried to seduce me.”
She dropped the book then covered her face as she gasped. “No…”
“Yeah.”
Alex was completely mortified. “Oh my god…”
“But nothing happened. You changed into my clothes then went to bed.”
“You…didn’t sleep with me?” she asked. “Even though I wanted to?”
“Of course, not,” I said. “I don’t sleep with drunk girls. It’s not my thing.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, her cheeks still blushing.
“Don’t be embarrassed. We all do stupid things when we’re drunk.”
She turned away from me, hiding her face.
I sighed then stood behind her. “For what it’s worth…you were gorgeous.”
She sighed but didn’t turn around.
“Hey, let’s just forget about it, okay?” I placed my hands on her shoulders. “I won’t tell anybody. It will be our little secret.”
“I’m so mortified…”
I wrapped my arms around her waist then rested my chin on her head. I was already used to snuggling with her so the affection didn’t feel odd. “Would you like to know something embarrassing about me? Maybe that will make you feel better.”
“Okay…”
“When I went on my senior trip to Disney World, I got food poisoning. I couldn’t go home and there was nowhere for me to camp and relax. I…I got bad diarrhea and went in my pants. I stank bad and everyone knew.”
A quiet laugh escaped her lips. “Oh my god…”
“Yeah, it was pretty embarrassing. I was glad I didn’t have to see most of those people again.”
She kept her silence, a few strained chuckles coming out.
“You can laugh,” I said. “I know it’s hilarious.”
She allowed herself to laugh freely. “Theo…”
“My family still teases me to this day.”
“What did you eat?” she asked.
“Too many churros.” I hugged her to my chest and pressed my face into her neck. “Feel better now?”
“Yeah, I think so.” She turned her face toward mine and gave me a bright smile.
Without thinking about it, I kissed her cheek. “Good.”
She didn’t object to the touch. Judging by the warmth in her eyes, she liked it. “Why did we eat Taco Bell last night?”
“You asked me to get you a burrito…with a bunch of cheese.”
She laughed. “I munch a lot when I’m drunk.”
“You don’t say?” I teased.
She blushed and chuckled.
“And I got you an empanada. Apparently, you like those too.”
Her eyes turned serious. “What about Jane? What happened to her?”
“She left with some guy. I told her to call me if she needed a ride.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks…”
I trailed kisses to her ear, and she leaned into me as I did it. “And you were all over me last night…”
“I was?” She smiled as she said it.
“Oh yeah, you like to cuddle.”
“Probably because you’re warm.”
“Probably because you think I’m hot.”
She turned to me and rolled her eyes. “Full of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Hey, these are your words, not mine.”
“I did not say I think you’re hot.”
“Well, you did say I was handsome…and I would never notice a tomboy like you.”
Her eyes flashed in realization.
“Which, by the way, you look nothing like a tomboy.”
“I did when I was younger… What else did I tell you?”
I shrugged. “A few things here and there.”
Her hands moved over my arms. “I’m sorry about my behavior. I haven’t been that drunk in a long time.”
“Don’t apologize. I had fun, actually.”
; “Fun?” she asked.
“Yeah, you’re a blast when you’re drunk.”
“I’m not a blast normally?”
“Is that a serious question?” I asked.
“Maybe if you got to know me, you would realize I’m a blast whether I’m drunk or not.”
“Maybe…” I pressed my lips to her ear. “Have dinner with me tomorrow. I’ll decide then.”
“Are you asking me out?” she asked incredulously.
“Hey, I slept with you all night, and when you threw yourself at me, I was a gentleman and said no. I deserve to take you out for a meal.”
“I guess I could do that…” Judging by the smile on her lips, she wanted to.
“And when you…showed me your goodies, it was damn hard to say no, for the record. I think I deserve a purple heart for that.”
She laughed. “Do you even know what a purple heart means?”
I shrugged. “Some honor.”
“It means you died or were wounded in battle. I don’t think turning down a girl qualifies.”
“When they’re as hot as you, it does.”
She couldn’t stop smiling, every one of her perfect teeth showing. “I thought you hated me?”
“I did.” I kissed her shoulder. “But now I have a thing for you. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.”
“Because I can tell you have a thing for me too.”
“Maybe…” Her eyes danced playfully.
“Then go out with me.”
“Depends. Are you taking me to Taco Bell again?”
I laughed. “No. It’ll definitely be somewhere nicer.”
She laughed. “Then I guess I’ll go.”
“Good. Because I wasn’t taking no for an answer.” My hand tightened around her hips and I pulled her into me. My lips sought her ear and I placed gentle kisses along the shell. “I’m still tired. Let’s go back to bed.”
“It’s noon.”
“So?”
“We have lives to live.”
I pulled her back toward my bedroom. “Well, I don’t want to live mine right now. I’d rather press pause and enjoy my time with you.”
***
I was floating on air.
Ever since Alex and I had our sleepover, I felt different. She didn’t annoy me in the least, and I felt like we were actually friends. Seeing a vulnerable side of her, someone who had flaws and imperfections, made me attracted to her. She was already a bombshell, but she was also cute.
I remembered the way her tits looked when she pulled down her dress. They were so beautiful and I wanted to suck each nipple—hard. They might have increased my attraction to her slightly. When they came into my mind, I tried not to think about them because she only showed them to me when she was out of her mind. When she was ready to show them to me sober, I would think about them all I liked.
When I got to work, I felt my stomach clench in anticipation. I was certain she was working today. I was excited to see that smile and those lips. Her eyes danced mischievously whenever she glanced at me. She was gorgeous, a damn knock out. The fact she was strong and fierce heightened my interest in her.
I loved kissing her skin. Her shoulder was soft on my lips. Her neck was warm. And her ear gave me shivers. I hadn’t kissed her lips yet, but I knew it would drive me wild once I did.
When I walked inside, Alex was near the mats talking to Yates. She wore spandex pants and a black sports bra. There were two dimples on her back, and her waist curved in then out again. I openly gawked at her before I turned my gaze away.
After I checked in, I approached her from behind.
“Let’s have dinner this weekend.” Yates had his arms across his chest. “Then we can watch a movie at my place.”
Think again. I reached her then wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me. “Hey, gorgeous.”
She quickly pulled away from me. “Uh. Hi, Theo.”
Uh? Hi?
Yates’ eyes darted back and forth between us. “Let me know about this weekend.” He drifted away.
“What was that about?” I snapped.
“We work together,” she hissed. “We can’t be affectionate around the others.”
“Why?” I demanded. “If Yates is going to ask you out, I need to stake a claim.”
“Stake a claim?” she asked. “Are you my boyfriend now?”
“Yeah,” I said bluntly.
“Whoa…hold on.” She raised her hand. “I agreed to go on a date with you. I didn’t sign up for a commitment.”
I stepped closer to her and leaned my face toward hers. “Well, you’re getting one.”
“Not if I say otherwise,” she challenged.
“Let’s be real here. We butt heads because we’re attracted to each other. Our chemistry is strong because we mix well together. Sometimes it’s explosive and sometimes we get burned. So what? Don’t act like you aren’t incredibly into me. You even told me you were when you were rambling in a drunken stupor. And after I cuddled with you the other night, spent some quality time with you when you weren’t yelling at me, and saw your gorgeous rack, I’m totally smitten. So yes, that’s how it’s going to be. Deal with it.” I marched to the locker room before she could get a word in.
I opened my locker then pulled out my gi. We weren’t always required to wear one but I liked to do it with my younger students. They seemed to be impressed and inspired with the uniform.
“Buddy, hold on a second!” Alex rounded the corner then marched toward me. “You were horrible to me for months. You can’t just erase that because you finally see my qualities. You need—”
I growled then pinned her against the locker. It shook under the force. I grabbed her hands then interlocked our fingers. Then I pinned them against the metal, using my body to keep her in place.
A quiet scream left her lips as I trapped her. She breathed hard and looked into my face. She didn’t try to get away.
I crushed my mouth against hers and sucked her bottom lip. She reciprocated immediately, melting under my touch. Her hands gripped mine with passion, and then her tongue moved into my mouth.
She was an amazing kisser. Her lips tasted like honey and her tongue drove me wild. I breathed hard into her mouth while I enjoyed her. She sent electric shocks through my body. I wanted to eat her alive. Seeing her in just a sports bra only reminded me of what was underneath.
I pulled away but kept my face close to hers.
She stared at my lips, winded and speechless.
“We’re done talking about this.” I released her then finished changing. I didn’t look at her again.
She walked out without saying a word.
***
I wore slacks and a collared shirt. An arrangement of flowers was in my hands. I stood on her front doorstep and rang the doorbell.
“Hold on,” she called.
“Take your time.”
She finally got to the door. She wore a black dress that showed her long legs. It was strapless so her rounded shoulders were bare. They were toned and strong. Her chest was prominent, the beginning of her endless curves. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I didn’t bother being discreet with my eyes. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” She blushed slightly. “You look nice too.”
I handed her the flowers. “I hand picked them.”
She took them then inhaled their scent. “They are beautiful.”
I leaned against the doorframe while I watched her set them in a vase full of water. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah.” She grabbed her clutch then walked out. “What are we having?”
“Depends. What do you want?”
“I like Italian.”
“Then that’s what we’ll have.” I hooked my arm around her waist as I escorted her to my truck. Then I opened the door for her.
“So the monkey does have manners…”
I growled. “And is polite enough not to stare at your ass as you climb inside.” I shut the doo
r then came to the driver’s side.
“You really didn’t look at my ass?” she asked incredulously.
“Really.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“I have no idea. I’m always honest so why would I start lying now?”
“Let me rephrase my question. Why didn’t you look?”
I started the engine then headed to the road. If she were any other girl, I would have looked. But for some reason, I was different with Alex. She was a woman who respected herself, so it made me respect her. “You never gave me permission.”
She smirked then looked out the window.
I glanced at her in my peripheral vision. She wore sky-high pumps that made her legs look even longer, and her short dress showed her toned thighs. My cock was hard the moment I saw her.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I pulled out the chair for her then sat across from her.
She gave me a look of approval then stared at her menu.
“Did you tell Yates no?” I asked while I read my menu.
“No to what?”
“The date he asked you on.”
“He didn’t ask me out on a date.” Her eyes scanned the menu. “Tortellini, it is.”
My eyes moved to hers. “I heard him, Alex. He asked you out on a date.”
“No, it was just a friendly request.”
Was she stupid? “Believe me, it wasn’t.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s awfully early in a relationship to get jealous…”
“I’m sorry if I don’t want my girlfriend spending the evening alone with some guy.”
“Not your girlfriend,” she reminded me. “Too soon.”
“Whatever,” I said. “When you start seeing anyone, it’s rude to see other people at the same time. There are rules for this sort of thing. Why bother dating someone if you aren’t putting everything into it? So yes, you are my girlfriend.”
She eyed me but didn’t object.
“Besides, we’re sleeping together…” I smirked at her from across the table.
She chuckled. “I guess we are.”
“And I always leave you exhausted.” I winked at her.
She rolled her eyes. “Enough with the innuendos.”
“So, are you going to go out with him?” I pressed.
