I search my shelf for the DVD of our movie. Sure, it’s probably on one of those subscription services, but I don’t have those. Why would I? I’m never home, and there’s no time to watch shit at work.
By the time I find the movie on the bottom shelf, Tayler is already out of the shower. She’s got her paint clothes rolled up into a ball in her hand, and her hair is still in the same braids, so she must not have washed her hair, but the adorable dabs of paint that used to be on her nose and cheek are now gone, sadly. Not only that, she’s dressed in exactly what I feared—tight gray legging things and a tiny top.
“Jesus.” I mutter to myself. This is going to be a long night.
I jump up and set the movie on the coffee table. “Money for the pizza is on the table next to the door. Be right back.”
I walk quickly to my spare room, where my clothes are currently stashed until I can put my room back together. I need some briefs made of steel, because seeing her in that tiny outfit has made my dick stiff. Finding a pair of compression shorts, I grab those, some clean sweats, and a tee.
I make quick work of the shower, so I’m dry and dressed in only a few minutes. I adjust my cock in the tight compression shorts and wince a little bit. I hate wearing shit like this. I’d rather let the boys fly free, but it’s for the best. I want Tayler to come back.
“Pizza’s here,” her pretty voice says from the other room. When I step into the room, she’s setting out two plates, a couple of paper towels, and forks. “I got us some beers from your fridge.” She stands up to full height. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Sure.” Normally I’d probably balk at someone going through my shit, but it doesn’t bother me which surprises me a little bit. “Smells good.”
“It does. They sent breadsticks too.”
“Sunday special.”
“Yum.”
Tayler and I sit at the same time. Handing me a plate, she opens up the pizza box. “I love Jeff.”
I jerk my head over to look at her, wondering who the fuck Jeff is. Then, I remember…. It’s just the name of the pizza joint.
“It’s okay.” I’m lying, I love Jeff’s pizza too.
Ignoring me, Tayler grabs the biggest slice of the artichoke side of the pizza and bites into it. I smile watching her as she devours her slice. She stops eating and points to the box. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Yep.” Grabbing two slices and several breadsticks, I lean back on my sofa. It’s my favorite piece of furniture. I’ve had it for years, and I intend to keep it forever. It’s deep and so comfortable I can’t imagine my life without it.
When Tayler slides back after taking a second slice, I snicker. Like I said, the couch is deep. So deep her feet no longer touch the floor.
“Don’t laugh at my stubby legs, Mr. Green.”
Placing my palm over my chest, I act affronted. “Never, shorty.”
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes. “Are we gonna watch the movie or what?”
I set my plate down and do her bidding. Hitting Play, I sit back down, this time just a little closer to my… to Tayler.
“The music is ominous already.” I half expect her to laugh, but she doesn’t. What she does do is scoot just a little closer to me.Note to self: get more scary movies.
“You don’t like scary movies?”
“Is this scary?” she squeaks.
“I’d say it was more suspenseful.” And scary.
“Oh geez,” she grumbles. “I don’t know about this.”
Chuckling, I pull on one of her pretty braids. “You’re the one who said ‘redrum, redrum.’” I do my best to mimic the creepy voice from the movie.
“Yeah, but I didn’t know what it meant.”
“It’s murder spelled backward.”
“Oh my God.” She drops her half-eaten slice back onto the plate and turns to look at me. “I don’t know about this.”
Reaching out, I pull her closer to me. “No worries. I’ll protect you.” Then I do the weirdest thing: I kiss the top of her head. I should pull away. I should apologize, but I can’t figure out how to do it without making me seem like a fucking tool. So, keeping my arm just where it was, I reach down with my right hand and pick up my pizza and eat. I’ll just do that all one-handed.
Grumbling, Tayler says, “This is a bad idea,” then takes a bite of her food.
On the contrary, this is a great idea. Maybe the best idea I’ve ever had.
