No Filter

Chapter XXIV (24)

One and a half an hour passes by. Liam parked in front of the mansion. We got out and start to unload our suitcases as Louis, Dinah, and Troy arrive.

Dinah got out of the car and shuts the door behind her, looking unsatisfied. She begins to march her way over to me until Louis, who also got out and stood by the back trunk, hollered her name. "Dinah, where do you think you're going? You still have to unload. Unless you don't want your clothes."

Dinah groans and mumbles something under her breath. She crosses her arms and stomps her way to Louis's side. She puts on a smile and replies, "Oh, sorry, how rude of me." She pulls out her luggage as Louis smiles to himself. His eyes focus on her sweetly, and I coo to myself.

I look at Troy, standing beside them. He gives me a smile and a wave, and I return the gesture. I grab the handle of my suitcase.

"Okay, everyone," Liam raises his voice. "You guys may pick your room, but remember, first comes first serves, and only one room per person." He wraps his arm around Cheryl's waist, and they begin strolling their suitcases to the porch.

Dinah and Louis followed them. I waited for Troy to grab his suitcase. He slams the back trunk, and he catches up with me and we carry our luggage together. He looks at his watch and says, "We have three hours before things get dark. What do you want to do?"

I take a moment to think. "We can just relax. Tomorrow is going to be pretty hectic for me."

"Want me to come over to your room after I unload my suitcase?"

I shake my head as we step on the porch. "No. We can just watch a movie, and maybe cuddle."

He wraps his arm around me, and we enter the house. We walk up the stairs and roam through the halls together to find a room. I open one door and peek my head in and find Dinah unpacking. I quietly shut the door, and Troy and I continue.

We walk toward the end of the hall and found two rooms empty across from one another. He took one room. I took the one across. I toss my suitcase on the bed and begin to unpack. I grab the hangers in the closet and slip my shirt on them. I hang them back in the closet and filled the top drawer in the closet with the rest of my clothes.

Afterwards, I trot downstairs and walk into the living room. A smile forms on my face when I see Troy sitting on the couch.. He already saved a spot next to him. I walk to him and take the empty seat. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.

"What do you want to watch?" Troy asks.

"Something Disney," I answer, feeling it.

He nods his head and scrolls through the lists of movies. After a while, I see Beauty and the Beast and point to it. "Ooh, that one," I said.

"Beauty and the Beast?" He questions.

"What?" I question back.

He chuckles nervously and answers, "I just don't think it's a good movie." My brows shot up. He raises his hands in defense. "I just don't think a woman should fall in love with the guy who kidnapped her."

"Well," I rebuttal, "he didn't kidnap her. He held her prisoner. But that's not the point. Belle - she is smart and adventurous and independent. She also knows that beauty lies beneath the skin. She doesn't need a filter."

"Okay, I just don't think it's real," he says. "A guy cannot be beastly and love the person he kept prisoner."

"We don't have to watch it if you don't," I blurt. I turn away and sigh heavily.

He nudges me lightly and whines. "Baby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry. If you want to watch it, then we can watch it."

"It's okay," I reply, still not looking at him. "You can pick whatever you want. I'll be fine with it."

"No," he says.

Just then, Liam walked in the living room, shirtless. He wore his swimming trunks with a towel tossed over his shoulder. Cheryl, in her two-piece, held onto Liam's arm, and I stare at the two of them.

"Ally, Troy," Liam begins, "we're going to take a swim. Louis and Dinah are going to join us. You guys are welcome to as well."

I stare at him and his biceps to his visible abs. The heat hits my face, and I didn't know what was happening to me. Cheryl's hands seem to be holding onto him tighter. I look at Troy and smile at him. We exchange a look, and our answer was unanimous. I answer Liam's question, "I think Troy and I are comfortable here. Right, baby?"

Troy smiles, and we lean in. Our lips touch, and I let out a small moan of pleasure. We pull apart shortly, and I see Liam furrowing his brows at us.

Cheryl tugs his arm a little, and he snapped out of his trance. He shifts his attention on her. "Come on," Cheryl says. "Let's go before it gets dark." Liam nods his head, and the two exit the house.

I look at Troy, and I didn't know why, but I smack my lips onto him again, letting the feeling ignite in my stomach. He kissed back and touched my cheeks. His light touch sends chills running down my spine. I break the kiss.

He bats his eyes and smiles, "What was that for?"

"Just a reminder of how happy I am to be with you," I said.

"Me too," he responds. We turn to the movie. He asks, "So you still want to watch Beauty and the Beast?"

I nod my head, and he presses play on the movie. I rest my head on his chest. I snuggle in his arms as the movie begins.