‘Okay.Walk time.’
Eyeing the dark sky, Nora looks doubtful about going but doesn’t object to it.I find it difficult to pull my attention from her ass as she walks up the stairs.We dress and meet back down by the front door.She’s in an oversized jumper and tights.Those tights look great on her, showing off her delicious curves.I loved having my hands on them last night.
She’s keeping me on my toes.Innocent with a daring side.My type, through and through.I didn’t know that until now.
The air is crisp as we step out the front and instantly Nora’s bangs fly around her face.She tucks them behind her ears and stays close to me as we head out onto the street.I reach for her hand automatically.I seem to be forgetting that this isn’t real.It feels real to me.
The streets are deserted.Most people are staying indoors and waiting out the storm.The rain has eased, but it still lightly sprinkles on us as we walk.We send a quick check-in text to all our friends but it turns out that we’re the only ones in the hot seat.Cami is safe at cheer camp, Anya and Mason are out of town.The rest of the team don’t reply and since my signal is quite spotty, I’m guessing they may not have reception.
‘This feels like we’re in a dystopian film,’ she says, hugging her arms around herself.
‘Yeah.It’s a bit creepy,’ I agree.
We do half the route we usually do and retire early, the rain starting to set back in.We just make it inside when it begins to hammer down.Tugging her to me, I swoop down and kiss her.No one is watching, no one is here, but I don’t care.I just want to kiss her.I know it was an agreement, it’s just fake, but I can’t help myself.She’s too tempting, and when she seems to be into it just as much as I am, I can’t resist.
The lights flicker around us before we’re thrown into darkness.
‘No power results in a candlelight dinner.’
Placing the bowls onto the table, I sit opposite Nora.She’s cast in a soft, golden glow, looking as beautiful as ever.
‘Very romantic,’ she teases.
Dressed in a powder-blue dress that matches her eyes, when she stares across the table at me, I decide there and then that my favourite colour is blue.
‘That is the perfect colour for you,’ I say, gesturing to her dress.
Smiling, she finishes chewing.‘Thank you.’
Every time her gaze slides to mine, it’s electric.The tension between us is becoming unbearable, as if with each stolen glance and slight touch, the oxygen in the room decreases by ten per cent.I don’t think I’ve ever felt this kind of infatuation for someone before.It’s confusing and a little scary, especially when this whole agreement was supposed to prevent distractions.
‘Is being inside driving you stir-crazy yet?’she asks, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
My mouth tilts.‘Usually it would, but being here with you is where I’d rather be.’
She ducks her chin at my words.I’ve noticed that she always gets a little shy whenever I say a bold statement like that or give her a compliment.It’s cute.
‘That’s sweet.’
‘It’s the truth.If you didn’t come here when you did, I’d be going mad.I’d probably have left and turned up at someone on the team’s place.I hate being alone.I get bored very easily.’
‘I’m in my element here.Being inside means I can write, read and watch movies.They’re my favourite things to do.’
‘It must be nice not ever feeling restless or bored.I feel like that’s become a part of my personality at this point.’
She giggles, her cheeks glowing rose red from the humidity of the house and the candles.That reminds me to search for the battery-operated fan I use for camping.We’ll need to use that to get to sleep tonight, since the power is out and the temperature in the house is increasing by the minute.
‘So, how’s the inspiration for the book coming along?’I ask her, flashing a flirty grin in her direction.
She offers me a tentative smile.‘Pretty good!’
‘Yeah?’
‘Oh yeah.’
‘Good, good.Wouldn’t want to be letting down my side of the agreement,’ I say, and instantly her face falls, the corners of her lips tightening.Her face neutralises within the blink of an eye and I question whether I saw anything at all.
‘What kind of books do you like to read?’I ask after a brief silence has fallen and I feel like I’ve somehow said the wrong thing.
