Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Thirty Four

"All yours. Here, you can wear these. I think it's the same thing you wore Tuesday, sweats and a tshirt, but don't worry I did laundry yesterday so they're clean." Michael says, grabbing clothes from the basket of folded laundry by the bed.

He hands me the sweatpants and T-shirt I slept here in earlier this week.

"Thanks. Are there towels in the bathroom?" I say, looking at him standing there in all his delicious wet gorgeousness.

"Yeah, in the cabinet." He says, staring at me.

Um...

"Well unless you want to see all of me, which I'm fine with actually, you better go take your shower, because in three..."

Three?

"I'm going to take...two...."

Huh?

"..off this towel." He says, grinning. "One."
He grabs the edge of the towel and pulls...

"Oh! I'll be back soon!" I say spinning around quickly and bolting out of the room. I hear him laughing as I hurry down the hallway.

Asshole.

Ok, I can do this. Jesus I'm not a stupid teenager, I HAVE seen a guy in a towel before.

I get to the bathroom and shut and lock the door. Opening the cabinet I find a stack of towels and washcloths and pull two out, putting them on the counter. I take off my clothes and turn on the water, adjusting the temperature. As I step in, I feel the water, almost too hot, against my skin. I start washing my hair thinking about Michael and I. What's going to happen when I get back to the room?

What do you want to happen?

Holy shit. I know what I want to happen. But should it happen? Hell yes! He knows I want to be with him, and I'm pretty sure he wants me. I rinse the shampoo from my hair, noticing for guys, they use really good shampoo. They even have conditioner. I bet that's Marcus. I finish washing, glad I shaved my legs this morning.

Twisting the knob and shutting off the water, I step out onto the rug and quickly dry off. Lotion would be awesome...well I guess you can't ask for everything.

After I dress I walk out into the hall and can hear the pool balls hitting each other. People are back and playing pool. There's Laughter...and Synna's cackle. I smile and walk back down to Michael's room. He's sitting on the bed playing his guitar. The song I don't recognize as one if Lickit's but I know I've heard it before.

"Hey." He says, noticing me come into the bedroom. "Feel better?" He says, smiling. He's wearing gray sweatpants, just like what I have on, and a white T-shirt.

His eyes rake over my body. I guess that's fair since I was drooling all over myself when he was standing in front of me in only a towel.

"Yes, much. What's the song you're playing?" I say, flipping my hair over and drying it a little more before dropping the towel on top of where Michael dropped his.

Mmm, wish I could've seen him drop that towel.

"You're joking, right?" He says, grinning.

Um, should I know this song?

"I recognize it, just don't know where from. It's not one of yours, right?" I say, moving over to the bed and sitting down. I pull my legs up underneath me.

Ok, Michael, ravage me. I'm BEYOND ready.

"Um, no." He says, laughing. "It's Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin?" He's looking at me like there's no way I cannot know this song.

I just look at him. "Stairway to Heaven, that sounds like I've heard that name before. Who's Led Zeppelin?"

"Wow. Ok, Star. I think I'm gonna have to rethink....whatever this is between us. How old are you?! Unless you're twelve, in which case I'd DEFINITELY need to rethink us....you should have heard of Led Zeppelin."

Ok, Star. Who the fuck is Led Zeppelin?! Think, idiot. You should know this. Obviously he's someone important. Probably not a current artist judging by Michael's complete horror that I don't know him.

Wait...I think my mom and dad have some old albums of his. I can almost see the cover of one....

"Baby, don't strain yourself. I'm just fucking with you!" He starts laughing.

I wish.

"Seriously, I am surprised you don't know who Led Zeppelin is, though."

"No, no! Now hold on. I'm thinking I got this...sort of. I think my parents have some albums of his? He's an old guy, like popular when they were young?" I knew I had this!

"Well, maybe they listened to THEM, not a guy, a band. Robert Plant was the front man, but more likely your grandparents. They were big in the 70's, but started in the 60's. Stairway to Heaven is CLASSIC, Star. Just one of the best songs out there on guitar. First real song I learned to play. By real song, I mean one I wanted to learn, not something I was expected to learn. Yeah, Zeppelin was big around my house."

He puts the guitar back in it's case then comes over and sits down on the bed beside me. He's sitting facing me, but seriously close.

Ok...in with air, out with nerves. No sweating, because I had to use guy deodorant, and I'm sure Michael doesn't want to fuck me and smell guy. No clammy hands, because...well, gross. No hyper nervous, stupid talking, like you did when you were getting ready to have sex with Jax for the first time. Just smile and see what he does.

"So....just so you understand, fully, where my mind's at with you....I'm seriously into you, Star. I'm sure you know this, but if this isn't what you want, now's the time to tell me. Just tell me and I'll walk away no harm no foul. From this point on, friends is all we'll be, but be sure because I'm not gonna play games with you. One minute you think you want me, one minute you're with Jax."

If only he could be more direct. Shit, I want him SO bad!

"I told you at the bar...." I have to clear my throat, which has gone dry from the fact his thigh is touching mine, as well as my rediculous inner voice pushing me to devour him. "...that I want to be with you."

"Yes, but you were also completely wasted at the time. You've had a couple hours now to sober up some, drank some water, showered. Do you still feel that way?" He leans forward, brushing my ear with his mouth.

Holy Jesus. I feel myself fist his blankets.

"Because it's taking everything I got not to push you down on this bed and fuck you right now." He sits back up. "Sorry, not trying to be offensive, but you should know what you're dealing with." He grins.

Yeah, I'm dead.