Hand on Heart

Chapter Seven

The shot hit the back of my throat and considering last night, you'd think I would feel like dying but I was actually doing alright. I guess it's true what they say; nothing cures a hangover like drinking. After I had made the second drink for Michael, he started to loosen up a little bit and actually enjoy himself. Maybe because I made this drink a little stronger than the first in the hopes that it would help.

"Dance with me." Michael said, taking my wrist in his hand and pulling me towards him. With our chest pressed against each other, our hips swayed to the music and I silently thanked God everyone else was too wrapped up in their own situations to pay any attention to mine.

His hands being around my waist almost felt natural; almost as if they were meant to be there and the thought ran through my head once more. His hands had almost the exact same feeling as the hands in the dreams I've been having. What if...no, there's no way.

Pushing myself away from Michael, I took his hand in mine and brought him back into the kitchen for yet another shot. Going out for dinner wasn't exactly supposed to end in a Hype House party but honestly I'm not surprised; it usually does.

"To friends." Michael said, holding his shot in the air. It was like he was taunting me; trying to get me to break and say that we were no longer just friends and I sure as hell was not about to break.

I smacked my glass against his and let the liquid burn my throat as everything around me seemed to move in slow motion. Placing the glass down on the counter next to Michael's, I looked up at him and well...let's just say, I broke.

It was almost as if he knew what I was thinking; the lingering tension between us was a mutual feeling and we both knew what the other was thinking. His hands wrapped around my waist as he picked me up, placing me on the counter while connecting our lips. It was probably the most lustful situation I've ever been in as the kiss was sloppy and forceful and the location wasn't exactly the smartest.

"Wait." I said, pushing Michael away from me as I snapped back into reality.

"I'm sorry, um," He stuttered, bringing his hand to the back of his head and running his fingers through his hair.

"Not here." I continued, hopping off the counter, taking his hand in mine and pulling him out of the kitchen and towards my room.

Pushing me up against the wall, his hands explored my body as he left kisses down my neck. His hands. God, his fucking hands.

---

Laying in my bed, my head against his chest with nothing but skin and the blankets to cover, I couldn't believe I broke. Well, technically we both broke but I was dead-set on this never happening again and here we are. His fingers trailed down my back as we laid there in silence and honestly, I really didn't mind it. It was comforting; safe.

The music was still playing from the living room but I knew no one really cared that Michael and I weren't there; I doubt they even noticed.

"Brooke-"

"Don't ruin it." I said, cutting Michael off.

"Don't ruin what?" He asked, adjusting himself in the bed.

"It's nice...this is nice." I explained, not wanting to deal with the conversation that's sure to come next. The silence returned as Michael's hand moved to run through my hair but the moment was quickly over once the sound of a knock at my door filled the room. "Just a second!" I said, scrambling to get out of bed. Pushing Michael off the side of the bed, I instructed, "Stay there." before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my body.

"Oh sorry." Kouvr said, noticing the towel around my body.

"No worries, I was just going to shower, what's up?"

"You left so I just wanted to make sure you weren't sick or anything." She explained, letting out a laugh.

"All good." I said, smiling. "I'm gonna shower." Watching Kouvr walk away, I closed the door, seeing Michael's head pop up from the side of the bed.

"Second night in a row." Michael said, beginning to gather his clothes. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing Michael, we're just friends. We decided just friends-"

"No Brooke, you decided." Looking over at him, I watched as he slid his shirt over his head, straightening it out a little before looking back at me. "Let's face it; we both knew just friends was a lie the minute it left your mouth. There's no denying that we're both looking for something more than friends. Oh, and the sex...pretty good."

"I'm not looking for love or any sort of-"

"I'm not saying love, Brooke," He said, walking towards me; his eyes scanning my body that was still wrapped in the towel. "and I'm not saying friends either." His fingers danced along the edge of the towel that was pressed against my chest as his opposite hand slid up my leg and suddenly I became nervous; not because of what would come next but because of what it would mean. Taking a step towards me, he slid the towel off my body and brought his lips closer to mine as he whispered, "To not being friends." before closing the gap once more.