THE SORTING

THE TENSION

There is something about a hot shower. The steam enters your pores, pulling out dirt covered in stress. Warm water cascades down your back and time seems to stop, shutting everything out if only for a moment. Responsibilities and insecurities take a back seat while the focus of your time is you in your most basic nature. No fear. No worry. Just relaxation.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my trance.

I turned my head wearily towards the direction of the door. My voice projected past the curtain to ask who was there. A deep voice responded with little information but I knew it was Dom. Who else would it be? I yelled back at him that I was almost done, for him to give me a minute. I turned the water off, not realizing it had turned colder than I had liked, though it was still warm. Wrapping a towel around me, my wet hair clinging to my back, I stumbled to the door, opening it, and exiting the steamy room. Dom was sitting on the bed, his head rising at my entrance, waiting for me. His body language changed from content to something I couldn't recognize. He took a deep breath, seeming to be trying to calm himself. He was stiff, rigid all of a sudden. Did I do something wrong?

"What's wrong?" I asked, racking my brain to figure out what I did to make him this way. Dom closed his eyes and slowly rose from the bed. He stalked towards me slowly, never breaking eye contact. When he spoke, his voice was raspy and deep, catching me off guard.

"Little one, I do not want to alarm you or make you uncomfortable. But" he started, now standing right in front of me, his mouth dangerously close to my ear. He took another deep breath and continued, "it is incredibly difficult holding myself back from pushing you on that bed and making you moan my name over and over again when you are in this state. However, I do not think you are ready for that, so I suggest you put some clothes on." Dom's lips grazed the soft skin under my ear right before he turned and exited the room briskly.

I don't think my face has ever been as red as it was now, my eyes trying to escape my skull. My brain was running at one hundred miles per hour, yet I couldn't form a cohesive thought. Minutes felt like hours as I stood there. Dom's words had had various effects on me. First, I was embarrassed. I had been in a room with someone else, undressed. I was already the most awkward in clothes, and out of them could only make it worse. Not that I have ever been naked around anyone before, which added to my embarrassment, but that's beside the point. Second, I was confused. Why did I feel comfortable enough to stand there with no clothes on and let Dom walk in? We had basically just met, and I already almost let him see me naked. Third, I felt stupid. I hadn't realized that he would feel that way about me in a towel and I should have. All our encounters had been incredibly respectful and the idea that our relationship could and would get intimate completely slipped my mind. Fourth, I was hot, and not in a conceited way. Dom's words had a physical effect on me, and it was definitely unfamiliar. I mean, I'm not completely in the dark when it comes to this stuff. I used to read a lot, mostly because there was nothing else to do back home. I have read a book or two that dove into the idea of sex and intimacy, but I have never actually felt those feelings before. It was strange. But I think I liked it. The fact that Dom felt that way towards me and all I had to do was wear a towel made me feel wanted. It made me feel desired. A small smile crept onto my face as I started to get dressed. Dominic liked me. In more ways than one. And that made my heart swell, and my something else, something else, if you know what I mean. My small smile turned into a full-on grin as I exited the room, wearing a sweatshirt and leggings, my wet, messy hair in a bun. Dom stood in the hallway leaning against the wall. I walked right up to him, my newfound confidence growing with every step. He looked up at me and smiled. I grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into me. He met my lips halfway as his hand went to the back of my head. Dom held me there, his mouth molding with mine as we kissed passionately. We pulled back from each other, out of breath and full of longing. He was the first to speak.

"What was that for, little one?"

"For being you," I answered, wrapping my arms around his waist. He pulled me closer, if that was even possible, and we stood there for a moment. His presence was overwhelming me in the best way possible, my being hazy from his scent.

"Well, nothing would make me happier than to kiss you all day, but I do have a question, little one," Dominic spoke, prompting me to pull away slightly from him. As I looked to his face, I noticed a playful expression. I copied it with my own, raising my eyebrows to let him know he can continue.

"Would you like to go on another date with me?" He asked. How could I say no? I nodded my head enthusiastically, biting my lip. Dom groaned and threw his head back. My expression suddenly changed to confusion.

"Little one, you do not make it easy for me. I swear you will be the cause of my death," he grumbled, causing me to giggle. Who knew boys were so easy? I barely had to do anything and if affected him. The idea of that made the butterflies in my stomach awaken. Dom grabbed my hand as we made our way down the hallway to the stairs, making my heart swell.

"Where are you taking my anyway?" I inquired. He simply shook his head and let out a breathy laugh.

"It's a surprise," he stated.

"Its always a surprise," I offered as a rebuttal, letting out a giggle of my own. Dom flashed a toothy smile as he kept his head forward, leading me who knows where. I knew that in this moment, I would follow him anywhere.