I booked additional over-the-phone therapy sessions just to get over this irrational fear that was gripping me again, but part of my anxiety was coming from Rosie and me being a secret.
I hated that I only saw her in the studio, in my car, or in public, where I couldn't touch her. I kept thinking back to the time before we agreed to try this, when she would hug and touch me in public without a second thought. Now that I knew how she tasted, Ineeded more of her.
My eyes found her sitting on the sofa of Rise and Caffeinate as I walked in, smiling when I recognized she was wearing my hoodie that I gave her after the night in the studio. It didn't have a name on it, so she could have worn her own or Aaron’s. She looked cute in her messy bun and focused face, as she tapped her pen against her notebook. She was so old school when it came to studying; I rarely saw her use a laptop.
Tripping in one of the chairs, I quickly apologized to it, before my eyes landed on the smirking Max and confused Aaron.
“My legs are jelly after that strength training,” I muttered as an excuse, as my best friend snickered.
Aaron rolled his eyes, and he walked up to Rosie, twisting her messy bun. “Hey, you!”
“Stop,” she groaned, the two bickering like siblings. “What are you doing here?”
“Getting coffee? You don't own the place, remember?” Aaron grinned at her. “Wanna join us?”
Her eyes found me, and a small blush painted her cheeks as she shook her head. “I'm studying.”
“You can take a break,” he pushed her gently, as Max nudged me to keep on moving and ordering our drinks.
“You need to stop staring, dude.”
“I can't.” I closed my eyes, my brain reminding me of her delicious smell and the noises she made. I wanted to be buried back between her legs. She was so sensitive, so responsive... so mine.
“Dex,” Max jabbed his elbow in my side, and I stared at him. “You're acting strange.”
“I know,” I sighed. “But, fuck, I love her, man. All I want is to hold her forever, and it messes with my head.”
Max nodded in agreement. “You can't just act like that every time you see her in public. Bad enough she's wearing your hoodie.”
I rolled my eyes and ordered a decaf, recognizing the anxiety racing through my body and deciding to listen to it instead of making it worse. But for good measure, I added pain au chocolat.
Rosalie's eyes lingered on me as we sat across from her, and she eyed my pastry with interest.
Seconds later, my phone buzzed.
Rosalie
Did you just order a pain au chocolat without me?
That's worse than cheating.
I let out a low laugh, my eyes travelling back to her smug face and arched brow.
If you want it, come and get it, Thorn.
The sound of books closing and papers shuffling hit my ear before I looked up and watched her walk over to my table. She looked hot as hell, having my hoodie hit her mid-thighs, covering the shorts she was wearing, and having her sexy, long legs on display. I still remember how they felt wrapped around me.
I grew hard just watching her approach as she sat next to me. Keeping a slight distance, but her knee brushes mine.
“Pay up,” she requested without greeting me, and I pushed the plate in front of her.
“Oh, I got you one as well...” Aaron appeared by the table as Rosie took a bite of my pastry.
“I can eat two,” she smiled innocently, her eyes closing from the pleasure of eating the sweet deliciousness. “It's my guilty pleasure.”
Aaron eyed me suspiciously, but when Max joined too, he stopped, and I could breathe again.
The guys got into a soccer conversation about this morning's practice, but I only half listened as Rosie devoured her food. She savored every single bite, and it was adorable.
