Slowly, I creep down the stairs, not sure what I’m expecting to walk into. But it sure isn’t the sight that greets me once I reach the bottom. Because there, on the floor in front of the sectional, is a makeshift nest of blankets and pillows. And at the center of it all is Camden.
My gaze shifts from him to the television screen, which hasDeath Note,of all things, pulled up, and a warm, tingling sensation forms in my stomach.
“What’s all this?” I ask slowly.
Cam runs his fingers through his hair, the sandy-blond strands almost white in the TV’s lighting. Gone is the sexy, cocky guy who just sent me filthy promises via voice note. Now, he just looks like a nervous virgin, his gaze shifting between me and the floor where he’s sitting.
“Uh, well… You spent Valentine’s Day watching me play hockey, so now…I was hoping to try watching an anime with you.”
The heat in my stomach spreads through my torso and out to my limbs, like an electrical current is coursing through me with each thrum and beat of my heart. And it’s impossible to speak because of it. Hell, I can barely breathe as he motions toward the TV sheepishly.
“I asked a couple guys on the team who watch them, and they suggested this one to start with. I’m sure you’ve probably already seen it, though, since you watch them a lot, so if you want to try something else—”
I shake my head, finally finding my voice.
“No, this is a good one. It’s one of my favorites, actually.”
“Yeah?”
His eyes light up a little with the question, and I damn near choke on the emotions welling in my throat. So I simply smile and nod while dropping down on the pillows and blankets beside him.
He scoots over a little, making more room for me, before placing a few small boxes in my lap. The contents rattle around when I pick the first up, only to read the wordRaisinetson the outside. Same with the other two.
It’s all I can do to stare at them before looking back at Cam. His gaze is already on me, watching silently, before he nods at the box with his chin.
“Lexi said you really like them, but she didn’t tell me what kind of chocolate, so I got all three.”
I hold his gaze for a moment, bracing myself for a joke about my choice in candy—something I’ve been teased for since I was a kid. But it never comes. He just waits, more concerned about selecting the right thing. And I know it’s stupid to care about something so trivial, but it means a lot.
Everything about this means the fucking world.
I’m forced to clear my throat, thanks to it closing in on itself again, and shove away my emotions as best I can. But the tingling warmth spreading through my limbs remains, like my blood flow has increased tenfold due to my heart swelling in my chest.
“Thank you,” I say, the words still a little raspy. “I’m not picky when it comes to chocolate, though. So you were safe no matter what.”
I rip open the box, catching his grin as he watches me pop a few in my mouth.
“You’ve got a sweet tooth, I take it?”
I shrug, a little smirk pulling at my lips. “Sometimes. Other times I prefer snacks of the salty variety.”
His nostrils flare, very clearly picking up on my innuendo, but despite the heat now roaring in his gaze, he chooses not to comment on it. Instead, he grabs the remote, ready to start the show.
That’s when I notice he’s pulled up the subbed version, with the voice acting in Japanese. I silently steal the remote, switching to the dubbed version instead, that way the voice actors are speaking English, and he won’t have to worry about reading the subtitles. It’s not my preference, but I’d rather him enjoy his first anime instead of fighting to understand what’s happening.
After hitting play, I toss the remote aside and lean back against a stack of pillows propped up by the couch. Cam does the same, and within seconds, he has his arm loosely slung around my shoulder, the warm, musky scent of hiscologne or bodywash invading my senses.
And damn if it doesn’t smell good. Like a winter cabin in the forest.
I tuck myself deeper into the crook of his arm, happily munching on my candy and watching the show like I haven’t already seen it multiple times. But maybe it’s a good thing, since Cam asks a few questions here and there for clarification. He actually seems more engrossed than I thought he’d be, his focus never leaving the screen as the plot begins unfolding.
Episodes pass rather quickly, and at some point, the two of us end up lying side by side on the blanket-covered floor, our bodies plastered together with my head tucked in against his neck. His fingers trail lightly up and down my arm, skating over the skin in a way that normally sets my nerve endings ablaze, and yet, I’m strangely calm and at ease.
Though, maybe it’s from listening to the smooth, steadycadence of his heartbeat beneath my cheek.
When the next episode ends and I check my phone for the time, I realize just how late it’s gotten—and how many hours we’ve spent down here like this—despite feeling as though no time has passed.
“You wanna go to bed?” Cam asks, and I find him looking at the time too. “I didn’t realize it’s already after two.”
