“First, I want to apologize. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I’m working on managing those impulses. I was just so caught off guard, I couldn’t control my reaction.”
I’m confused because I don’t feel like he overreacted at all. I am the one who didn’t trust him. I would’ve reacted the exact same way if the roles were reversed, maybe even worse.
“I was hurt that you took his word over mine—” I open my mouth to speak, but he continues on. “But, I understand why you would. I have a reputation and I fucking hate the guy so, yeah, the pieces make sense together.”
He sighs, his arm twitching to touch mine but he holds back. “I did run into him on campus and we might’ve exchanged a few heated words, but I didn’t lay a hand on him. I swear it.”
“I know you didn’t.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I believe you. I’m sorry that it took me a minute but I could tell by your reaction that there’s no way you could’ve done that. Plus, Nico would’ve shouted it to the world if you were the one that did it. I had just assumed based on a comment he said. I shouldn’t have jumped the gun like that.”
He nods, releasing a weighted sigh of relief. “I understand why you did.”
“Still, it’s not fair to you and I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate that.”
Somehow in the last few seconds, we’ve shifted closer to each other. My neck is straining to meet his eyes and his smirk is widening by the second.
“What’s second?”
“Hm?” I ask, clearly distracted now.
“When you came in you said ‘first,’ so what’s second?”
“Oh.” He looks down at my body then back to my face. “Second is that you look so damn beautiful in just a towel.”
I beam brightly at the praise, and it dares me to be even bolder. “Should I leave it on then?” I tease, slowly untwisting the knot at the top. I let the towel drop and Arden’s breath hitches. “Or is it better on the floor?”
“We should leave it on the floor forever,” Arden says, hoisting me up against his chest. I giggle at the sudden but entirely welcome movement and then kiss him so hard I feel like our lips are going to be permanently molded together.Would I mind that?
Arden walks us to his doorway and kicks the door open, placing kisses to my neck, jaw, and collarbone.
Of all the outcomes of today, in my head, this was the least likely. I’m so incredibly happy it turned out this way because it’s the one I wanted the most. And I can tell Arden feels the exact same way.
As we collapse on the bed, I grip him tightly, feeling more and more happy to not have to let him go. He makes quick work of his clothes and grabs a condom from the drawer without my having to ask.
“Hmm, you smell like coffee.” I mutter against his neck as he covers himself.
“Ah, sorry. I didn’t get a chance to shower after my shift. I was going to do that now actually, do you want me to–”
Using my legs, I push our centers as close as they can go without going all the way. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
Arden’s grin matches mine as he pulls me impossibly closer and we connect. We move in rhythm and pleasure and desire. His fingers work me the same way he does and within a few minutes we both meet our ends together. Arden pants, collapsing on top of me and I welcome his weight. He’s like my own personal weighted blanket.
After a few seconds, he peels himself off of me, kissing my nose as he shifts to my side. “I’m going to shower now. You can stay here if you want,” he says, grabbing the towel that’s draped over his desk chair on his way out. He doesn’t look back at me, just walks to the bathroom and closes the door. The next second, I hear water pouring.
You can stay here if you want.
He wants me to sleep in his bed tonight.
But we have rules and that’s rule number one. No sleepovers. Cuddling makes everything worse. Cuddling builds attachments. At least with sex, it’s an in and out deal. Literally. But cuddling? There is so much gray area to that.
And last time, he called me “his”.
But he didn’t this time.