Roommates with Benefits [COMPLETED]

Chapter 26 - Dance the dance

Emma

I lay awake all night, wondering what the fuck happened. How much did he see?

I groan into my pillow at the way he whispered in my ear. There is no way I can face him right now. So I do the cowardly thing and avoid him. After I get ready the following morning, I check the coast is clear and rush out. And I keep avoiding him. All week.

I spend so much time at Hannah's, I'm convinced she's about to kick me out. I leave early for class and lock myself in my room when I'm at home.

On Thursday morning, he's having breakfast when I do my dash to get out.

"Good morning." There isn't a hint of awkwardness in his voice. He barely looks up at me. "Leaving already?"

"Umm... Yeah. I have class."

"I've barely seen you all week."

I keep walking to the door. "There's a lot to do with the talent show. I had no idea it would keep me this busy."

It's not a lie, but I'm not sure he believes me. I give him a smile as I get into my jacket and hurry away before he can say anything else.

Friday afternoon has me ready to explode. We've all decided to go to a new club tonight and I'm excited to go dancing. I get ready in my room and can hear Knightley as he moves about in the kitchen.

I've run into him a few times over the week, and after each encounter, I'm more and more convinced that I imagined the whole thing. Maybe it was all in my head, from seeing him naked to him whispering about how he likes being the one who makes me look like that. Like I'm about to orgasm. That's what he meant.

I make sure I didn't miss any spots when I shaved my legs. My mind has been wandering way too much in the shower lately. Satisfied, I pull on my boots and find a necklace. My fingers linger on the bracelet Knightley gave me. I only hesitate a moment before putting it on. Then I tuck it under the sleeve and roll my eyes.

After some last adjustments to my hair and make-up, I grab my purse and head out. And bump into Knightley. He smells fantastic. I want to roll around in that scent and let it cover me. I want to lick him up and down.

Blinking, I take a step back. He inhales.

"Is he picking you up again?" His voice is flat and dull, and I'm certain I only imagine the strain.

"No." I shake my head as I make sure I have my phone. "I'm picking up Hannah and Avery. I'm the designated driver tonight so that they don't have to worry about buses. They don't run very often in that neighborhood. The buses, I mean." I'm babbling. I shut my mouth and keep it clamped. When I look up at him, he seems surprised.

"What?"

He shakes himself out of some kind of stupor. "Nothing."

"No, what? You were thinking something."

"I'm just surprised you would go to all that trouble."

My eyebrows pull together. "Why wouldn't I?"

He puts up a defensive hand and steps away from me. "No reason."

I reach out a hand for the bowl on the counter. I've started tossing my car keys there so that I don't lose them in a pocket or a purse somewhere. Just as I'm about to grab them, his hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me.

My breathing turns labored, and I take a moment before looking up at him.

"I'll drive," he says.

His fingers are warm against my skin. His hand's strong. Firm.