I shivered a little as the sweat cooled on my chest. The awkward post first sex thing felt heavier than usual. Knowing her for so long, but not really knowing her at the same time seemed intrusive.
I should be joining her in the shower to remind her that whatever was between us felt good and right.
It did, dammit. More real than it had any right to. I was aware most of the world longed to be in her orbit and I was lucky enough to own a little space, but before we got naked things seemed so easy between us.
Now...
I raked my fingers through my hair and nearly tripped over Velma. She dug her nails into the flannel of my pants and the tiny needles reminded me who was really boss in my life. I scooped her up before she dragged my pants off me. “Sorry, you missed third meal.”
She chirped at me and bumped my chin. I set her on the counter and opened a can of food for her. I took a few extra moments to stroke down her fur, grounding me back into the moment.
This didn’t need to be heavy. I rolled my shoulders and picked up her phone.
Steam billowed out of the door that was cracked open. Leaving her to shower, I tossed her phone on the bed then grabbed her some clothes. My pants sure as hell wouldn’t fit her,but one of my hoodies would probably work. I pulled out one of my old Haven High ones that was soft with wear.
Happy to have her scent on me a bit longer, I grabbed my cardigan against the chill then went back out to the kitchen.
The soup smelled amazing, but I didn’t know anything about building a ramen bowl, so I finished cleaning up from the prep. I changed the music to a Noah Kahan album on my turn table. I was wiping down the counters when she came out in my sweatshirt.
“Hey.”
I looked up. “Feel better?”
“I didn’t feel bad before.” She swirled her finger around a shape she found in the veins of the countertop. “It was amazing.”
I crossed to her. “It was. And I don’t want it to be the last time.”
“Yeah?” She nibbled her lower lip. “Me neither.”
“Good.”
She touched my belly. “This is unreasonably hot.”
“What?”
“This body in a teacher sweater. Just need the glasses.”
I reached around the edge of the counter for my drawer. “Like these?” I pulled on my readers.
“Oh, now you did it.” She went on her toes and lifted her lips to mine. “Professor Reynolds, I think I need some extra credit to boost my grade.”
I crushed my mouth to hers and banded my arms around her waist.
She laughed into my mouth and the tension between us dissolved.
“I’ll count your meal as some extra credit.”
She slipped out of my arms. “I can handle that.”
We worked together to finish the meal and at midnight we were cozied up in my breakfast nook to fill our bellies. Neither ofus seemed to want the night to end and we both ended up on the couch watchingScream. ’Tis the season and all.
A very insistent Velma woke me the next morning. It was hard to get up since I had an armful of Amber and a nest of blankets creating a cozy cocoon.
“Your belly is a pain in the ass.”
Velma chirped and marched across my chest with her claws out.
“Dammit.” I pulled her away from me and raised her over my head. She pawed at my cheeks, her chirps getting louder. “You’re going to wake?—”
