“Good,” he exhales and his breath warms my parted lips. “Then, let’s talk about this again when you’re sober.”
My eyes open abruptly at the same time as he steps away, breaking ourconnection.
“What?” I ask and he just grins, walking backwards slowly.
“I’m not a total ass. If we’re talking about this further, I want you to be fully aware and 100% sure you’ll remember this the next morning.”
“I’m not even that drunk,” I mutter.
“Maybe. If you remember tomorrow, I’ll believe you. But you drank. Enough for you not to realize you were thinking out loud for a while. And if I kiss you, I want you to be able to stop me, which you might not if you’re too drunk to think straight.”
I frown and set my mug on the counter next to me.
“Who said I wanted you to kiss me?” I ask, crossing my arms in front of me.
“You. About a minute ago. Not to forget the wayyoukissed my cheek.”
“I didn’t—”Sayit. Ithoughtit.
“Come on, I’ll show you to the guest room.”
I don’twantthe guest room. I want his room. With his smell covering everything.
I take the hand he gives me anyway and jump off the counter, landing directly against him. I inhale deeply as he circles my waist and pulls me with him towards some stairs I haven’t seen until now.
Upstairs, he opens a room and turns the light on. It’s a simple bedroom. A double bed with a modern wooden frame covered in light gray and white bed sheets. It has two bedside tables, a chest of drawers, and a large window overlooking the ocean.
“Sit, I’ll bring you a shirt.”
I do, wanting to argue again but deciding that I’m too tired to. I kinda want to bury myself in this comfy looking bed. Even though the room doesn’t smell like him. It’ll do. For now.
He comes back a minute later with a soft white tee and crouches in front of me.
“You okay, sweetness?” He asks, placing a stray strand of hair behind my ear and I nod. “You don’t feel sick or anything? There’s a bathroom behind that door if you do.” He points towards the white door on the side wall. “And if you need anything, my room is just next to yours.”
Anything?I think, hoping that I didn’t think out loud this time. I needto sleep surrounded by his scent. Preferably surrounded by him.
His hand finds my cheek and his thumb rubs my skin softly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll talk. Or won’t talk, whatever you want. But I hope you’ll remember at least a little from tonight and that we will. Because I’m done avoiding it.”
24
DON’T JUDGE MY INTRUSIVE STEALING SHAMPOO THOUGHTS
Jack: Where’s my sister?
Nate: Hungover in a spare room.
Jack: Why?
Nate: Did you not place a tie on the handle of the house you share withher?
Jack: I did… But it only meant “enter with caution” not sleepover next door!
Nate: Well, she was drunk out of her mind.
Nate: I was not going to let her get lost in the house and risk stumbling upon a scarring vision.
