The Flyer & The Frat Star

First Date

Josephine

I awaken to the sound of soft snores from beside me, stretching my achy limbs as I take in my position. I'm still curled into Hero's side, the exact same way I had fallen asleep, except with my leg hitched up around his hips, making sure to bring him as close as possible to my body. I take in Hero's relaxed expression as he sleeps, chuckling to myself at the drool sliding from his agape mouth. How is it that even sprawled out drooling he looks absolutely edible? I remove my leg from over his body, awkwardly bumping into his morning erection on its way down. I can feel myself flush at the sensation. My movement must have woken him up, as he stirs and his eyes instantly meet mine, the sadness and apprehension clear as day. I feel my own eyes swollen from crying and my heart falls as I take in the reality of the situation, of why he's looking at me holding so much emotion. I don't regret telling Hero one bit, it actually feels quite nice to have gotten it off my chest, but I can't help but suspect he only said those things last night to calm my anxiety— that he doesn't actually want to be with me romantically. I give him an uncomfortable smile before attempting to maneuver my way out of his arms, only for him to instantly pull me back into his warmth, tightening his grasp on my body. "Where are you going?" His voice is raspy with sleep, and I can't help the way my body physically reacts to the sexiness of his tone, flashbacks of the way fingers felt against my sex plaguing my memory.

"Hero," I take a deep breath, attempting to memorize the way his body feels cuddled next to mine knowing it would likely be the last time. "Thank you for being there for me last night, you know, for listening. I feel much better today, so please don't feel obligated to stay with me just to spare my feelings. Like I said last night, I understand that I messed everything up." I try to keep my voice strong although I can feel my heart breaking.

"Jo," Hero whispers as his hand comes up to caress my cheek. "I meant what I said last night. This doesn't change the way that I feel about you," I avert my eyes from his, not wanting to hear his pity-fueled lies. "Hey," his fingers find my chin as he forces my gaze to meet his again, sincerity filling his expression. I can feel my resolve melting, knowing that even if he was lying, I'd risk it all just to feel his lips on mine once more. My eyes flick to his mouth for only a millisecond before his lips capture mine in a gentle kiss. There's no tongue, biting, or rushing like last night in the hotel room, but somehow this calm, soft kiss manages to light a fire in me just the same. "I want to be with you, Josephine," he whispers against my lips.

"I want to be with you, too, Hero," I whisper back, finally allowing myself to speak the truth I've been attempting to deny for weeks. He smiles into another kiss, this time allowing my tongue to meet his. Our pace remains slow as we lap against each other, savoring the taste, and I can't help my own smile from spreading from ear to ear knowing my feelings were reciprocated despite my admission from last night. He pulls back far too soon, his face turning serious.

"About what you told me last night," he begins before I cut him off.

"I don't want to talk about it," I snap, not meaning to sound so harsh but knowing I don't want to ruin this perfect moment.

"Please, Jo. Just let me say three things and then we'll never speak of it again," he pleads, and I find myself nodding in acquiescence, wanting to get it over with. "One. If I ever find the motherfucker who did this to you I will fucking kill him with my bare hands, so be ready to bail me out of jail," he says in complete seriousness with pure wrath behind his eyes, and I can't help but smile at the absurdity of the statement while also loving the way his protectiveness makes me feel so secure. "Two. What happened to you was in no way your fault. Please do not blame yourself, Josephine. You were drugged," I move to interject, to explain that it was my fault for not watching what I drank. "No. No arguing that point," he holds his pointer finger to my lips before I can get a word out. "And three. I will never, ever make you do something that you're not comfortable with. You're safe with me." He plants a small peck on my lips after his declarations, and I feel my attraction swell even further for this wonderful man lying beside me. I can tell he still feels guilty for what happened last night, even though everything was completely consensual. I don't want him to hold back with me. I want him to make me feel the way he did last night. I want him to make me feel alive again.