Lovers in October

SIXTEEN

M A R Y - K A T E

Mary-Kate's bed sheets never felt like home before.

They gave away comfort, warmth, but never the feeling of belonging, of finally having a space that felt this much like home. No four walls held this much safety for Mary-Kate's mind since the day she lost the man she loved more than anything, and now she had found it again in a lover who slept like an angel right next to her as she gazed.

One arm was underneath his head as he slept on his belly, the other wrapped around Mary-Kate's waist since the deep hours of night, when both were still safely dreaming away. He had a birthmark on his shoulder that almost looked like a strawberry, a detail Mary-Kate could never have noticed unless she saw him in this attire — or better yet, the lack of one.

Eyelashes brushed against his soft cheeks as he drew in calm breaths through his nose, his body slightly moving with the inflation of his lungs before returning to its previous position as he gently released the air once more. And as he stirred awake, so softly Mary-Kate barely noticed, he smiled as his eyes opened slightly.

"You're staring." His voice remained calm and low as he spoke, his voice a slightly raspy sound.

"Sorry." Mary-Kate smiled, whispering.

"I like it."

Mary-Kate chuckled as she nudged closer, letting his arm loop around her body with a stronger grip. As his eyes fully opened and adjusted to the light, Antonio left a gentle kiss on her forehead, creating an even bigger smile to take place on Mary-Kate's lips.

"So..." Mary-Kate supported her weight on her left elbow, making Antonio raise an eyebrow. Her face was inches away from his, closing in by the second. "Did you have fun?"

Antonio chuckled, a smirk taking place. "Fun? I'm pretty sure you were the best sex I ever had. And that says a lot." Antonio frowned, contemplating on his choice of words. "That sounded less slutty in my head."

Mary-Kate laughed lightly, watching him give in and laugh with her. He had a smile that made her feel warm, finding the summer in the middle of winter. He had a way to make his laughter be the only sound her ears could receive, shutting the rest of the world out.

"You?" Antonio asked, tilting his head, the pillow underneath his head creasing lightly.

Mary-Kate squinted her eyes as she pretended to be deep in thought. "Umm..."

Antonio propped himself up on his elbows with a mouth wide open, trying not to laugh. "Umm? Umm?!"

"You know, we have classes, I think it's time to—" Mary-Kate teasingly changed the subject, trying to get out of bed.

But Antonio had another idea as he wrapped both arms around her waist now, pulling her back towards the bed, locking her underneath him with a grin that was only ever worn by the devil. Her laughter was loud and bubbly, her hands wrapping around Antonio's neck instinctively.

"What classes?" He whispered, his lips moving with rhythm across her skin, right below her jawline. "I don't remember any classes."

Mary-Kate closed her eyes as she tried to concentrate, a smile involuntarily climbing on her lips and demanding its stay. For a few kisses she considered his proposal, even forgetting what classes she was even supposed to have. Her mind teased her with all the things his lips promised to do, hinting all the benefits of her stay in the bed all day.

But there was a competition still going on, and with only one day to go before the process of making a decision started, there was no way Mary-Kate could miss even a second, even with how tempting it felt.