"Tonight I wished for a new brain that's not so dizzy. Now you tell me yours, Fox."
"... A new house. Faro can be our new dad. Gwen can come when her skin isn't burned anymore. No dragons."
"We should build a treehouse to watch the stars every night."
"Promise you'll come with me, Jellybean?"
"Cross my heart, Fox."
ｃｈｒｉｓ
I can do this. Totally.
I'm standing outside his door, shifting from one foot to the other, my fingers tracing the outline of Whitney's gold rings on my thumb. They feel like little shields, glinting in the faint hallway light. Somehow, they make me feel braver.
I'm going to need bravery for this next part.
Ugh. Every time I see him, something stirs inside me. And when he got home today, all sweaty and beautiful, I made an audible noise. Only Noah was there to notice. Oops.
It's annoying. It's... hormonal, that's what it is. All those looks, the heat in his gaze, the way my body claws at the air between us.
I swallow hard, shifting on my feet again, rubbing the rings against my thumb.
I straighten my tank top. I think he likes this one. It's pale purple.
I exhale into my palm. Minty, cool, a bit sugary. I brushed my teeth four times.
Just knock! Just knock. It's fine.
I raise my fist, tap lightly, then step back.
The door opens after a few moments. Fox is in nothing but soft grey sweats, his hair damp, smelling like woods and spice. Freshly showered.
I can't breathe. Why can't I breathe?
No, I'm breathing—him.
Don't look at him. He's not your best friend. He is Sexy Roommate.
"Chris," he says, dragging my name out like a warning.
My eyes dart around, finding the doorframe above interesting. It shifts lower, pressing down slowly. A countdown that will separate us soon.
"Come on," he coaxes, leaning against the doorframe, his grin tugging at the corners of his wide mouth.
I hate that he knows what I want. I also like it.
"You can do it," he hums, his voice warm and teasing. "Say it, darling."
My stomach flips.
"I'm, um, not sleeping well?"
I peek. He tilts his head slightly, waiting. His gaze drags over me, slow and steady.
"And so?" he prompts.
I press my thighs together, feeling the heat coil low in my stomach. The hallway feels too small. That arch above is closer now.
"Sex," I blurt out.
I immediately want to crawl into a hole.
So I add, "Please."
And that's worse.
Fox's grin spreads wide. He's just won a game.
Without a word, he reaches out, takes my wrist, and tugs me inside.
YOU ARE READING
Beside
عاطفية''Tell me how it feels,'' he whispers. "Good," I gasp, my entire body trembling. Deeper. Harder. Perfect -- like we've been doing this for years. His hand finds my jaw, fingers firm as he tilts my head up, making me look at him. And that's it. Wav...
