𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝑋

"Are you gonna finish showing me around—" she started to say, but her words were cut short as I let my desire take control.

Her beauty was breathtaking up close. I could finally take in her features, her clear, caramel skin, smooth and radiant, and that tiny, seductive mole just above her alluring lips. I was drawn to them, feeling the pull to close the distance. I could kiss her—

And then came the abrupt, blaring ring of the phone.

I jumped, the sound jolting me back, but Janet didn't flinch. Her eyes stayed locked on mine, steady, unshaken. The ringing phone, coming from the hallway at the front of the apartment, was like an unwelcome reminder. The world was calling, pulling us back.

But the only person that came to mind was Emily.

"Um, I'm gonna get that," I said, feeling the awkwardness build as the ringing continued, tugging me back to reality.

"Sure," Janet replied, cool as always, giving me a slight nod.

I walked away, feeling an uneasy, electric tension trailing behind me. I was between two worlds now, caught between Emily and Janet. Reaching the phone, I picked it up, putting it to my ear. "Hello?" I answered softly, hoping to sound normal.

"Hey, baby, I had to call you right away!" Emily's voice was bright, brimming with excitement, and I widened my eyes, gasping as I felt Janet's hands slide around my waist from behind, pulling me close. My breath caught, and I struggled to keep my voice steady.

"Angie is offering me an even better deal now—" Emily went on, her words trailing into the background as Janet's presence took over, her fingers pressing against my waist, grounding me. Emily's words blended into noise as Janet's tongue found my ear, her warm breath sending a shiver down my spine. Sensations of her warmth felt erotic, sending electricity although me.

"That sounds good, baby," I managed to respond, my voice barely a whisper.

Emily continued, "She's even offering to pay for the first three months of my living expenses. Isn't that amazing?" But I could barely focus, drowning in the feeling of Janet's hands as they roamed slowly across my stomach, tempting me away from everything else.

I murmured, "It sounds perfect, baby," trying to hold onto something of this moment's meaning.

"We have to discuss it when I get home tonight," she said, her words snapping me back.

"Tonight?" I asked, my mind struggling to piece together the threads.

"Yeah, remember? You're picking me up from the airport."

"Right, slipped my mind," I said, my breath catching again as Janet's fingers pressed lightly at my sides, her touches barely holding back a fire.

"Okay, I can't wait. I'll see you soon," Emily said, and I barely managed to whisper a goodbye before I hung up, turning to face Janet, caught between desire and a twist of guilt.

Janet held my gaze, her lips still hovering close to my neck. "Who was that?" she asked softly, her voice dipping as she trailed kisses along my skin.

"My girlfriend," I admitted, the words barely leaving my lips.

She paused, her touch freezing. "If you have a girlfriend," she whispered, "why didn't you stop me?"

I took a shaky breath, "Because... I didn't want to." I swallowed, meeting her gaze. "And if you're with Q-Tip, why are you here?"

Silence filled the air as her grip on me loosened, giving me space. Slowly, she stepped back, fists clenched at her sides, and held her hands to her mouth. She looked vulnerable, her eyes flickering with unspoken words. Finally, she spoke, "I have to tell you something, and... it's hard for me to say. Please, just be patient with me."