Shape of You (+18)

Chapter Twenty-Three

▬▬▬▬ Marley's POV ▬▬▬▬

"Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like...like that!" I lamely came up with, turning around so I couldn't see Joel's face anymore.

He was already fully dressed again, considering all he had to do was pick his clothes back up off of my bedroom floor. I, on the otherhand, had to pick out something other than what I was wearing earlier. Socks and a large t-shirt weren't appropriate wear for going out, especially not in this weather.

I was almost done pulling on my bootcut jeans when I heard a low hum of approval from behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I was able to see exactly why Joel made that sound.

"You know, usually, I'd want a woman to take her pants off. But, seeing you jump and bounce around like that...I'm just saying, your ass looks—"

"Behave yourself, Joel Kramer," I warned lightly, knowing we didn't have time for this.

"I am," he lied, biting his lip, his gaze still glued to my ass.

"No, you're not!" I half yelled and half laughed, feeling his hungry gaze tracing my barely dressed body. Maybe it's time you put a shirt on, Marley. "You're still giving me that look!"

"What look?" he feigned ignorance.

"You're looking at me like you want to have sex, again."

"Maybe that's because I do," he admitted, his voice lowering in an unfairly seductive way. I could feel him walking up on me. Could feel the affect his close proximity had on my body.

"Joel," I sighed, my head falling back on his chest as his arms wrapped around me.

"You're lucky I have to go to work, darling," he rasped against my neck, squeezing my waist for a second and plucking one of my bra straps before letting go and backing up, leaving my body cold without the heat his touch brought. "Otherwise..."

He never finished that sentence, but he didn't have to. We both knew what he was getting at.

With a hidden smile, I pulled a grey hoodie over my head, fixing my ponytail once I had it on, and walked Joel to the front door.

"I'll be calling you, later," he said once he stepped out and onto the small porch.

"Yeah? And why is that?" I asked coyly, leaning on my old doorframe.

"Because," he answered, tilting down a little so his face was closer to mine, making me have to look up at him. "I still have a lot of groveling to do."

That made me laugh. He knew damn well that I'd forgiven him, considering we just had sex, yet he was planning on continuing to 'make things up to me', even after the fact. The thought made me smile.

"Don't be late to work," I reminded him, which got him to chuckle.

"Something tells me the boss won't mind," he winked, and I found myself jealous that he could do that without looking clumsy or weird.