I nodded a few times, bringing the seasoned noodles to my lips.“Sure.”I closed my mouth around the fork, hoping that we could be done with that conversation.I didn’t know why I was so disappointed.
We were living together, but it was my name on the lease.We kissed and hugged and did couple-y things, but we weren’t really a couple.I guess maybe getting a dog would feel like a step in the couple-y direction.A semi-long-term type commitment.
Seven short months ago, I left Rory—a co-worker slash friend—and San Diego behind, intent on starting a new life with bigger dreams and aspirations than I had ever set out to accomplish before.Then he was here, asking to prove that he could be the commitment type and pretty much on a whim, and totally out of character, I gave him the chance.
And now I wanted some sort of sign that long-term was doable with this man.
Maybe it was because I knew who Rory had been.In the past, he wouldn’t wait even two days to take a girl to bed.Him waiting the weeks I put him through had been a big deal for him.Now, not only had he grown up and showed he could be a real live adult, he waitedtwenty-five months—and counting—to take what we had to the next level.
Me going that long without sex was no big deal, but Rory?The man who had been a man-whore two years ago?I guess maybe I was comfortable with our arrangement but feared that he would get antsy.
I liked what we found together over these last few months.I liked the comfort and the ease, and I wasn’t entirely sure what I would do if he decided that Arizona—that I—wasn’t enough for him anymore.
“We’ll get a dog, Emily,” Rory said around a chuckle, taking another bite of noodles.“But let’s get you through your first couple of semesters first, ‘kay?”
3
Rory
Emily had beenin a mood last night after I told her the dog was for Con and Mia’s kids but what was I supposed to do, tell her her entire fucking Christmas present before the actual holiday?I chuckled to myself as I zipped up the large duffle we were both using for clothes.She was so predictable.
“You ready?”I called out.She was in the bathroom packing up our toiletries in a separate bag.She was in a much better mood this morning but even if she were still pissy over the dog, I was sure that the moment we hit snow up north, she’d be happy again.Because who the hell didn’t get excited over snow?
“Did you want the green or blue bottle of Axe?”she replied.I grabbed the overstuffed duffle and walked toward the bathroom, dropping the bag to the floor and stepping into the small space.It was tiny and really couldn’t fit the two of us, but I found I liked small spaces with Emily.She was currently standing outside the standing shower stall, glass door wide open, as she considered the bottles in the hang-up caddy.
I stepped right behind her, keeping a small distance from her body.I loved the way her tall, willowy body aligned with mine and my cock twitching under my jeans wasn’t ever shy to tell her, so I kept my distance.“Green,” I answered.
She leaned into the shower, stretching in and thrusting her ass out toward me and I fought a groan.I wanted nothing more than to run my hand up her back, around her side, down her front…
But I was taking my damn time with her.I waited this long—after royally embarrassing myself—I could hold myself back until she was completely ready to take this to the next level.
I wasn’t going anywhere.
Even if I teased myself mercilessly in the meantime.
She stepped back and into me, stumbling and reaching a hand out toward the glass door jamb to steady herself.“Rory!”
I helped steady her by grabbing her hip with my hand.“Sorry,” I said chuckling.“I thought you heard me come in.”
“I did,” she said, turning in my arms.Her upturned face brought her lips so incredibly close to mine.I could lean in, take the sweetness that was presenting itself…but I want going to.Not yet.“I just didn’t think you’d be that close.”She stepped around me and put the bottle in the bag holding all our other bathroom items.
“We need a bigger place,” I answered, hoping it came off in a semi-off-handed manner.Like the puppy, I was trying to give her some long-term items in hopes she’d be willing to take the next step.
“Maybe when I graduate in fifty bajillion years,” she grumbled as she zipped the bag.
“Less than two, actually.”
She turned her head toward me, her face twisted in amusement.“You’re keeping track?”
“For when you get out of the terrible twos and temper tantrums?Fuck yes,” I joked, reaching for her hips and pulling her in, easing the jest with a quick kiss to her lips, finally taking a fraction of what I wanted.
“I’m not that bad,” she said against my lips.
“Oh, Emily.”I shook my head, pulling my head back but keeping my hand on her, sliding it to her lower back.She was currently in leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt of mine, allowing me to still feel the dips and grooves of her lower back and spine under the cotton.In the matter of a few hours, she’d be in a bulky sweatshirt.I had to get my feels in while I could.“You are that bad.”
I let my hand linger at the small of her back, fighting the urge to slide it down and cup her ass.
Emily was so fucking cute when she pouted.“It’s an expensive program—”
