Fleeting Flames - Jenna Ortega x Fem Reader

Part 11

December had rolled around in the blink of an eye, and even though everything with Jenna had stayed casual, the time between visits made it hard to ignore the growing distance—not just physical, but emotional. Every time she was in town, it felt like you two fell right back into that familiar rhythm. The chemistry was undeniable, the kind of connection that made it easy to pretend nothing had changed. When she was around, everything was perfect. But when she was gone, you allowed yourself to slip back into your life, focusing on work, new friendships, and calls with your family, keeping those deeper feelings locked away.

The past few months had flown by in a blur of deadlines, projects, and professional challenges. At work, you'd started to notice something different—whispers, exchanged glances, the occasional murmured conversation as you walked by. It wasn't outright, but it didn't take a genius to figure out what people were gossiping about. Word had spread that you were seeing a "celebrity," and though no one directly approached you about it, the rumors were floating around the office. People could be ridiculous, but you tried not to let it get to you. Your bosses were reassuring, always quick to tell you, "You're doing a wonderful job. Let them talk. It doesn't change your work."

The gossip was annoying, but it wasn't what weighed on your mind the most. Christmas was just around the corner, and for the first time in a long while, you felt truly torn. A big part of you wanted to go back to Miami, visit your family, and spend the holidays with the people you missed so much. But then there was Jenna. She would be back in LA for nearly a month between Christmas and New Year's, and the thought of not seeing her during that time was nagging at you. The pull between the two choices was stronger than ever, and you found yourself stuck between the comfort of home and the complicated things with Jenna.

It felt like a decision you weren't quite ready to make, but the holidays were fast approaching, and you couldn't avoid it for much longer.

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Jenna showed up at your door, still in her hoodie and sweats from the flight, her hair a little messy and her eyes tired, but there was no mistaking the excitement that lit up her face the moment she saw you. She had been away for weeks, and you both knew what her return meant—the holidays were just around the corner. You had both talked about it briefly, but the plans felt unspoken and blurred between the two of you.

Before you could say a word, Jenna surged forward, wrapping her arms around you and pushing you back into the apartment. She was all energy now, pressing her lips to yours with an urgency that left you breathless. You stumbled backward as she kicked the door shut behind her, her hands already tugging at the hem of your shirt as she deepened the kiss. It was heated, overwhelming in the best way, like she was making up for all the time apart.

But you couldn't resist teasing her. Pulling back just enough to catch your breath, you crinkled your nose. "Jen, you stink. You should really shower."

She narrowed her eyes at you, clearly unimpressed with the comment, but her lips twitched into a smirk. "Oh, is that how it is?" she teased, her hands slipping under your shirt as she walked you back toward the bedroom. "Fine. Let's shower, then." Her tone was playful, but her eyes darkened with a hint of something more.

You raised an eyebrow. "Together?"

Jenna's grin widened, her hand already pulling you toward the bathroom. "What do you think?"

The hot water cascaded down as the steam filled the room, and before long, the teasing gave way to something much more intense. The feel of her skin against yours, the way her touch felt familiar yet electrifying—it was all-consuming. The shower turned into more than just a moment to clean up; it became another reminder of how easy it was to get lost in each other, how undeniable the chemistry was even after weeks apart.