Woah. Really? I can’t believe I just said that. I guess I hadn’t even realized it myself. I thought it was just my ADHD inability to work in silence. I have never really given any thought to whether or not I was lonely.
Flint appears intrigued. “What is a ‘rom-com’?”
“It stands for romantic comedy. So it’s a romance story with funny parts, usually miscommunication between the two characters.”
“And you enjoy this?”
“I like everything. Except Westerns. Those aren’t my thing.”
“Let’s watch that then.”
“That what?”
“A rom-com. Romance and comedy sounds relaxing and you are writing. Is it a love story?”
I flip through the options for rom-coms while I consider his question. “I think maybe? My story is mainly about my princess and yes, there’s an epic love meets fated mates thing going on… I just can’t figure it out. I don’t know if it’s a love story or a story about humanity, which is so hugely dependent on love.”
Shit. I didn’t mean to say that. Why am I forever saying more than I need to to this man?
Flint is quiet while I continue to navigate through apps.
“Not just humanity depends on love.”
I don’t want to dwell on this or discuss my writing any further, so I quickly choose an old favorite and we settle in to watch. I can feel Flint sneaking glances at me as the movie plays out on the TV but eventually, we both relax into the slight buzz of alcohol and the drama unfolding before us.
Despite relaxing, I’m becoming more and more aware of the press of his firm thigh against mine. He’s so warm. Eventually, I give in and remove my top shirt, thankful I put a tank top on under it. When I toss it aside and lean back, Flint puts his arm around my shoulders and starts idly playing with my hair. He seems engrossed in themovie, but simultaneously acutely aware of every move I’m making.
After a few awkward moments, I relent enough to rest my head on his broad shoulder. He briefly lays his cheek against the top of my head, giving me a nuzzle, before straightening. He continues to play with the ends of my hair. He smells divine – like leather, tobacco and the woods. I find myself trying to sink into that smell and choose to ignore the images it’s bringing to mind, struggling to focus on the TV.
He’s just so warm and it’s so comfortable that, despite my initial awkwardness, I begin to relax into him and the couch. He’s laughing in all the right spots, which means I chose the right movie for this. I didn’t intend for it to become an excuse to snuggle, but I’m sure as fuck not going to complain about it now.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I’m almost positive Ash has fallen asleep on my shoulder. If nothing else, she is dozing off. I’m hesitant to check because if she hasn’t, she might pull away and I think that might kill me. If she has, I don’t want to disturb her. The smell of her hair — musk, vanilla and amber — is seeping into my being, soothing wounds she knows nothing off. I can’t bear the thought of her pulling away, even in this small way.
Tentatively, I reach out to her mind to seewhere she is. She appears to be wavering between waking and sleeping, content. It makes my heart swell to know she’s relaxed. I’m going to consider that positive progress.
Not delving too deep into her mind, I consider the other pieces I’ve picked up tonight. I think she is having more flashes, although I wasn’t looking when she had them. They’re sitting atop her thoughts, like a soap bubble on water, which means they had a profound impact and she wants them readily accessible. In any other relationship, what I’m about to do would be a gross violation of conduct but it’s Ash, so I can’t resist. Using my powers, I gently nudge the closest bubble. The image of me, on my knees, before her, where I belong, causes my breath to catch and all of the blood in my body to surge towards my cock. Unlike Ash, I remember that evening.
Vividly.
I allow myself a moment to savor the memory — both hers and mine.
Fuck sweatpants. These don’t hide a fucking thing. Now I’m worried she’s going to fully wake and wonder why I’m hard as a rock while she’s pressed against me. I’ve seen human males. The disgusting audacity in the majority of them leaves no question on why so many human females are single.
Keeping some attention on the movie she put on, I allow my mind to wander back over the evening in hopes of calming an arousal I can do nothing about. I can’t believe Betsy brought all of that stuff here. I’m more surprised that she made all the comments she did, alluding to her role and who Ash is. I imagine that, much like me, she is also frightfully aware of the deadline and our rush toward it.
That has to be it. There’s no other explanation for why she would risk so much, in such a reckless way. Betsy always has been a boundary pusher, though; I really shouldn’t be surprised.
It was kind of her to think of clothing me though. I admit, I did not bring much in the way of clothing or necessities. I assumed I would figure everything out as I went. Getting to and being with Ash was the most important thing. Everything else is trivial.
She alternates between acting as though she knows me and treating me like a wild wolf, ready to bite her at any moment.
She has no idea how right she is.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I’m not asleep, but I will admit that I’ve been floating. The exhaustion of the week, the insane surprises, the hard, hot body next to me with its intoxicating scent… not to mention the two glasses of wine, all combined to make a very sleepy Casie. The fact that Flint is still playing with my hair hasn’t helped anything.
