Page 8 of F Buddy

“Damn you, Zach,” I hissed in his direction, going around the room to pick up my dress and underwear.

I was being harsh with him. I knew it wasn’t his fault—it wasn’t like he’d forced me, after all.

I moved my things to the bathroom. I needed to take a quick shower and dress, and hopefully leave before he was any the wiser. If I got lucky, he’d forget the whole thing or be nice enough not to bring it up. I didn’t need to feel cheaper than I did already.

As I hopped in the shower, the cold water cleared my mind a little more. Once I got out, I’d find something for a headache and some food, but I could worry about that later. Putting on yesterday’s underwear felt didn’t appeal at all, but I didn’t exactly have spares, and I wasn’t brave enough to carry them around in my purse so I went without. I’d probably take another shower at home again.

Fuck! This was why I never did one night stands.

Sex without strings attached sounded easy, but it was messy on so many levels, most of them disgusting.

I stepped out of the bathroom, dressed but barefoot, with my hair combed by my fingers, only to freeze. There he was, sitting upright, back against the headboard with one of his knees raised under the sheet.

“Hey there, Scarlett,” Zach called, almost cheerfully, waving at me.

My jaw dropped, words sticking in my throat. I didn’t exactly have excuses; I knew if he hadn’t been awake, I would have walked away without looking back, but now that option was out the window.

“What?” He asked, voice sarcastic. “Cat got your tongue? Where are you going in such a hurry? It’s still pretty early.”

He slid out of bed, his arms raised in another full body stretch. I blushed and looked away, but not before my eyes trailed over his trim, fit body. I hadn't seen much of him last night, we’d both been too desperate to get to bed for that, but I’d run my hands and lips all over his chest and back. All I’d had was an idea before, but now I saw just how good he looked.

Don’t think about it, I told myself viciously. Last night was a one-time thing.

I didn’t realize Zach had moved, too preoccupied with censoring my thoughts, when the room was suddenly washed in bright light. I hissed and squinted, glaring in his direction, only to find he was still in the nude and looked away again.

Well, except for the tie, I thought to myself and felt my face warm in a harsh blush as it brought back memories from last night.

“I can't believe you were going to sneak out on me,” he said.

I would have felt bad because it almost sounded like an accusation, but his tone was weird. It didn’t sound like he was angry—more like he was trying hard not to laugh. I frowned as I barely glanced at him out the corner of my eye.

“Well, can you blame me?” I murmured. “After…” I couldn’t make myself say the words, waving my hand around the whole room so he would get the idea.

“After we had sex, you mean?” he said. “We left the party last night and had fun. There’s nothing wrong with that. Or, wait, do you regret it?”

He sounded carefree up until he said that last part, and I thought his voice sounded a bit tight.

“Well, no…” I murmured, my voice going quieter.

Because, yeah, I couldn’t possibly regret last night, no matter how I felt right then. We hadn't done anything wrong, we were both single, consenting adults, and it got my mind off my issues. I couldn’t tell if more or less talking about last night would make me feel less awkward.

“Would you at least look at me?”

“Not until you put some clothes on.”

God, I sounded like my mom. Zach had seen me naked, we’d had sex. It was a bit too late to try and act all decent at this point, but I was too busy trying to hold onto my pride and save what little of it I had left.

He sighed, and then there was a slight rustling, but I didn’t dare turn to look. I was tempted to, but then ideas would start springing into my mind. I didn’t think jumping right back into bed when I felt this unsure of myself would be good for either of us, and I knew that was exactly what would happen.

“Come on, Scarlett,” he coaxed. “Don’t make this awkward, all right? We both needed a distraction last night, and we got it and had a good time while we were at it. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that.”

Something in my chest ached a little. I was nothing more than a distraction for him, and really, what more could I have expected? But then, I used him the same way, didn’t I? Feeling bad about his wording was a bit hypocritical of me.

I looked in his direction, feeling a little relieved when I noticed he’d put briefs on. It was only a small step above being naked, but I didn’t want him to think I was uncomfortable, even though I was. Then I squinted at him in suspicion.

“That’s it?” I asked in disbelief.

He shrugged. “Well, sure. What more did you expect? I told you I’m more into sex than relationships, so if you don’t want this to happen again, it won’t,” he promised.