The Undergrowth

Chapter 4: Major Undecided

The next morning, I stretched my arms over my head, stifling a yawn as I make my way down the hall to the bathroom.

I swing open the door then jump back.

"Oh, sorry."

Ebon stands in the middle of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel. He smiles and tilts his head, taking a few steps toward me.

"It's alright." He reaches out and rubs my arm. "The lock is jammed. I'll have Cody look at it later."

"Good to know." Cody's warning from last night about keeping the doors locked pops in my head.

"I didn't do a proper job of welcoming you to Tennessee last night." He moves a step closer.

I'm very aware that it would only take one more step for us to be plastered against each other. I wonder what it would feel like to have his hard body pressed against my. My breath hitches when he places his finger under my chin.

"I'm glad you're here," his voice is low and gravelly and he lowers his head.

Oh god, he's going to kiss me. And I have morning breath. My breath quickens and my chest heaves.

His lips brush against mine and I hold my breath. He places his hand on the small of my back and pulls me flush against him. I gasp, my hands landing on his chest. He covers his mouth over mine and shoves his tongue in my mouth. I try to step back from his aggressive kiss, but he holds me tight. I have no choice but to kiss him back. I'm disappointed there aren't any sparks or fireworks.

As soon as the kiss starts, I want it to end. When he finally turns me loose, he looks down at me.

"We'll work on that." he says, then pushes past me and heads down the hall to his room. I don't move until I hear his door shut.

We'll work on that? He said that like he thought there would be a second kiss. He might be good looking as sin, but I had no tingly sensations at his touch or kiss. I sigh heavily then go about my original tasks including using the bathroom and brushing my teeth.

I had planned to shower, but I wasn't too keen on being vulnerable behind an unlocked door while Ebon was home. Instead, I wash myself off as quickly as I can, brush my teeth and retreat to my room where I pull clean clothes from my suitcase.

Once I was dressed, I pad into the kitchen and grab a Coke from the fridge. Ebon is sitting as his computer with his headphones on. I grab a bag of chips to go along with my Coke and retreat to my room.

I set up my little bluetooth speaker and turn Spotify on today's hits and start unpacking. I start with my suitcase. Placing my clothes in the small closet or in the dresser. I stack the few books I brought with me on the bookshelf and lay my laptop and sketchpad on the small desk in the corner.

I'm working on getting down the Lennon poster when I hear a noise behind me. I look over my shoulder and yelp, nearly falling off the chair I'm standing in.

"Didn't mean to startle you." Liam is leaned up against my doorframe, looking like all seven deadly sins. The green t-shirt he's wearing brings out the green in his eyes and his hair is falling in his face again.

"Oh, hey," I sound breathless. I start to climb down from my hazardous position, the poster in my hand. He pushes off the door and offers me his hand. I smile and take it, jumping down. He takes the poster from my hand and observes it.

"Not a Lennon fan?"

"No. Not a Beatles fan either."

"Pretty sure that's unamerican."