Chapter 18

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The last bits of steaming hot water drip off my face just after I turn the nozzle, shutting off the water. My shower was quick after I finally shooed Clay out of the bathroom, insisting we shower together to "save water." I only laughed and pushed him out the door, locking it swiftly. After just a few drug out 'Geeoooooorrrge's', his voice left and I heard footsteps returning to his bedroom.

A mossy green towel hangs on a hook from the door that I was instructed to use. Rubbing my hair to a damp state and then wrapping it around myself, I turn to the rather large mirror hanging over the sink. Blue, red, and purple splotches cover my neck and trail down to my hips. I run slender fingers over the marks and think of Clay's sweet tongue and hot breath against my goosebump covered skin.

I smile at the reminder and follow the marks with my eyes down my stomach, pulling the towel away and see that I'm also sporting quite a few hickies on my inner thighs. I picture what we must've looked like, Clay's head dipping between my thighs, his soft, blond locks tickling my skin. His sun kissed skin, toned abs, and filled biceps securing me down. Me holding onto those locks, writhing beneath him, head thrown back against the pillow.

My head snaps back up to my face in the reflection and I blush as I fade out of my fantasy that isn't so much of a figment of my imagination anymore. Another abrupt, but soft knock comes from the door again when I realize that's what pulled me from my distraction in the first place.

"Hey, have everything you need?" Clay asks, with a slightly raised voice through the door. I struggle to process what he is saying, remembering all the things that same hesitant voice said to me last night, but in a much different tone. "You've been in there for a bit." He points out.

"Uhh, yeah." I stammer in response. "Just thinking." I try to speak in a lighter tone.

"Is everything okay?" I picture his cheek pressed against the other side of the  door with slightly anxious eyes. All morning his face clearly gives away that he's afraid I'll regret last night, but I don't. Clay, as confident as he is, has always been one who needs reassurance in moments like this.

I crack the door, making only my head visible to the taller while offering a genuine smile. "I'll be out in a sec, just let me put my clothes on." With a nod, he lets me close the door and once again there is a descending sound of footsteps.

~

We got in his black car about an hour after my skin was clean and dry. Sitting back at the office, surrounded by the same boring grey walls that had me stressed for weeks is getting a bit old. With the controller of the bot messing with the thing for hours is leaving me nothing to do, I find myself meandering around the building in search of something to entertain me.

After walking aimlessly around the building, looking at all the things I haven't bothered to examine, boredom finally won and even though Dream said he was fine on his own, I was desperate for something to occupy me.

"Hey, are you sure you still don't need any help?" I walk in Dream and Sapnap's area where the bots are built, fixed, tested, etc and find a jean jacket and light gray sweatpants holding a controller with too many digital buttons to count, all sitting on a blue screen. Our old robot, Spirit, a black and white robot slightly shorter and smaller than the one we have now, is standing in front of our new one being tested. Spirit throws basic, preprogrammed combos that the latter easily dodges.

"Have you ever worked one of these before?" His left eyebrow lilts upward as he slightly holds up the device in his hand. Dream has always been the controller of the bot, not me. Granted I did program the thing ages ago, but that doesn't mean I can use it well. Knowing what the buttons do is only half of the equation.

"Uhh, not since I programmed it. I'm sure I know what the buttons do, but I won't be good at fighting with it." Long legs carry him towards me, still holding the blue light, still standing in the doorway.

Jerking his head towards the bot, he stands in front of me and reaches for my hand. "Come here. I want to show you and then you can help me." I nodded and let his warm grip pull me further into the room until we stood in front of the bot about four feet away.

His stance moves behind me and a tablet size screen is brought in front of me, held by two calculated hands connected to broad shoulders that tower over me.

A sudden intake of breath feels my lungs, his closeness catching me off guard and sparking at embers. With his front pressing against my back, Clay gestures for me to grab the controls. My slender white fingers wrap tightly around the controller, knuckles turning white at the nervous grip.

Bigger, more tan hands, cover mine, intending to guide my fingers. "Relax George. Why are you so nervous?" Voice soft and low, it slightly eases me and I loosen my grip slightly.

"'cause I'm going to do it wrong." My explanation was only half the truth. His proximity is what is to blame for my abnormal heart rate.

"You will if you don't loosen up." Kneeling down, lips slightly grazing my ear, he taunts, "Do I need to help you with that?" The sound is deep, intoxicating, burning and the smirk that I know rests on his mouth without looking, is so tempting.

Even still, I turn around and nudge his shoulder with my forearm. "Shut up, idiot." I don't do very well hiding my flushed cheeks and the latter makes it clear with a defining chuckle, spinning me back around to our previous position and resuming his teachings.

Steeling My Heart - DreamNotFoundWhere stories live. Discover now