I saton the couch with my Kindle which I named Kinatalie, while Dexter worked on his game. It had been almost a month since the Spring Festival and allowing myself to finally give in to my feelings for Dexter. To say we've been inseparable is an understatement. While we kept our rendezvous quiet at work and hidden from our friends and families, Dexter was almost always at my condo. Day after day, he filled my place with his presence, his laughter, and the soft clicking of his keyboard late into the night became my favorite song. What we had was still new, but it felt as if I had known him my whole life. Sometimesthe thought scared me, and I tried not to dwell on it, but it was hard.
Everything felt way too simple yet natural with him. I realized how easily we had fallen into a routine. Him staying over, me waking up with his arm draped across my waist; us eating breakfast together and pretending to arrive at work at the same time despite the fact that we drove together. I didn’t understand how I ended up having this unexplainable connection with someone I barely knew. Yes, he was close to Ricky, but I doubted my brother had been feeding him some guidebook on my mannerisms, my moods, the way I loved and hurt. Yet, Dexter seemed to know me anyway.
I liked the way it felt: being wanted, being chosen, and being seen. I liked him, but deep down I knew this would be a problem in the long run. Wanting him meant risking myself and being vulnerable again. I wasn’t sure I was ready to do that again. Dexter and I weren’t official, but what if we took that step? Every time I thought about it, the reminder that we worked together came to my mind, followed by the betrayal of my previous coworkers. Women came in and out of the shop all the time, and Dexter didn’t seem like the type to stray, but I had thought the same thing before. What if I let my guard down and history repeated itself? The thought sat heavy in my chest. I wanted Dexter and the connection that we had to be real but wanting him also meant trusting him. I trusted before, and it had never stopped heartbreak from finding me.
I shook my head. The day had barely started and the last thing I wanted to do was to start stressing about the what if’s.
“What are you doing?” I asked, scooting next to Dexter.
“I just put in the last bit of coding and about to test out the game.”
“Can I play?”
Dexter’s eyes looked up at me from over the rim of his gold glasses. “Really?”
“Hell yes!”
His wide grin warmed my heart as he set up his laptop. “Okay, use the arrows to move and the space bar to jump. When you get to the first fight scene, press ‘F’ to kick and ‘J’ to punch.”
“What about the special moves? Like, since he’s the flame-bearer doesn’t he have fire powers?”
Dexter chuckled. “Yes and no. This is only level one. Your character will have to complete more levels to gain strength and eventually powers.”
I nodded. “Got it!”
Dexter leaned over and grabbed my chin before planting soft kisses on my lips.
“What was that for?” I smiled, leaning my forehead against his.
“Thank you for being so supportive.”
“I’m more than happy to. I am so proud of all your hard work and consistent discipline to get this done.”
Dexter groaned before grabbing the back of my neck and smashing his lips against mine. “Girl, you going to have me eating you out while you play this game.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Promise?”
Dexter laughed as he kissed my forehead and got on his knees. “Hit start when you’re ready.”
I smiled as I leaned back on the couch with Dexter’s laptop as he pulled down my shorts. I giggled when I felt his teeth graze my inner thighs.
“You’re supposed to be playing the game,” Dexter said, pausing his movements.
“I am. I am.”
My phone chimed, causing me to briefly look away from the laptop. Checking my notifications, I realized I had anotherdeposit sent from Lawrence. Another month of lying for his bitch ass had me grumbling with annoyance. Lawrence sent me a quick text message with a wink emoji, followed by a picture with his shirt off. What in the actual fuck?
“You okay?” Dexter asked as I abruptly sat up.
“Uh yeah. Give me one moment,” I said, kissing the top of his head and standing up from the couch. Heading towards the kitchen, I grabbed a bottle of water as I angrily texted Lawrence.
Me:
Don't ever in your life text me no shit like that again!
Ex-Dumbass:
Cmon Nat, baby. I know you miss me too.
