He mutters a string of curse words in my ear as we chase our highs together, grasping and searching for every last drop of pleasure we can muster before collapsing in a heap of twisted limbs and harsh breaths.
My chest feels like it’s about to explode, and my heart’s beating so fast I feel like one of those cartoons where you see the outline of it thumping away.
We lie there, trying to find the strength to function again.
“I think I’m dying.”
“I feel so out of shape.”
He nods in agreement. “I’m going to get rid of this thing. Do you…need anything?”
“Bathroom?”
He points at a door beside the sleek black dresser in his room. “Right there. I’ll go down the hall.”
He hops off the bed in all his naked glory, not bothering to cover up one bit, and makes his way out of the room. I head into the bathroom, use the toilet (because no one wants a UTI), and use a clean washcloth I find in the linen closet to clean myself up.
Strolling back into the bedroom, I find Zach relaxed on his bed, hands resting behind his head as he stares up at the ceiling.
“Did you even notice these?”
I crawl into bed and lie down next to him, my head resting on his chest. Gazing up, I see what he’s talking about: two large windows cut out in his ceiling. The night sky feels so close, as if I could reach out and touch the stars.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Sure is,” he says. There’s something in his voice that causes me to slide my eyes his way.
I’m surprised to find him staring down at me with warmth.
He wasn’t talking about the night sky; he was talking about me.
I grin up at him and wink. “I know.”
He titters. “Now who has the big ego?”
He kisses the top of my head and we lie there together in the darkness until sleep consumes us.
Iwake about an hour later, my mouth dry and desperately in need of water.
Doing my best not to wake Zach, I wiggle out of his hold. I slide my underwear back on and pull his shirt over my head before quietly sneaking out of his bedroom.
I make my way back down the stairs, taking my time to observe his home. There are beautiful photographs lining the walls, all of them black and white. I step closer to read the name scribbled at the bottom but can only make out Elliott.
Whoever he is, he’s awesome.
I tiptoe down the stairs and back through the living room, finding the kitchen is on the other side. Much like the rest of the house, it’s modern and sleek.
I open the fridge, laughing at the excessive amount of takeout boxes and beer, and grab a bottle of water. I sip on it as I meander around the kitchen and living room, checking out all the fun gadgets they have.
It doesn’t take long for me to scope out the rest of the house. There’s another bathroom on this floor along with what I assume are two guest bedrooms. I open the door to one to find Marshmallow sound asleep inside, and I note that Zach’s rigged the room with a sheet of plastic lining the floor and plenty of straw.
I shake my head, unsurprised that Zach has dedicated an entire room to a goat.
I quietly close the door, not wanting to disturb Marshmallow, and make my way back down the hall. I’m assuming the other bedroom belongs to his roommate, and I don’t want to intrude.
There’s a door off the underside of the stairs. Curiosity overcomes me so I peek inside, finding that it leads down into the basement.
Now that I’ve already opened the door…
