Heat swells inside me and the tension between us is palpable.I climb onto the back of his bike.My hands roam over his chest as the bike rumbles to life.I move my hands down his hard stomach, feeling the hardness in his groin.His hand moves behind him, running up my thigh.
We planned to go straight to his hometown after the photoshoot, but all I can think about is doing dirty things with him.I don’t know how I can sit beside him in the car and not act on these thoughts when my core is throbbing with need.
He gets us home at lightning speed, and adrenaline courses through me at the rush of being on the bike.When we get inside,Anya has some friends from her art class over to work on a project.Zayden and I exchange a heated look as we part ways.I grab everything I need from my room as he does the same.
When I meet Zayden in the hallway, he’s holding a bunch of flowers.
‘What’s this for?’I ask in surprise.
He holds them out to me.They’re ginormous – a bouquet of sunflowers.Personally, these are some of my favourite flowers.
‘For you,’ he offers me his crooked grin.‘Because I’m proud of you, and all the amazing things you’ve achieved.You deserve to be celebrated.’
I blink, caught off guard.My brain fumbles for something to say, but my heart is already doing somersaults.I step closer, my fingers brushing against the paper wrapping as I take them.
‘You didn’t have to …’ I trail off.
‘I wanted to.’His voice is soft, almost shy.‘You’ve been working so hard.You never stop.I just wanted to do something nice for you.’
Something catches in my throat.
‘Different flowers than usual?’I murmur, half-smiling as I run my fingers along the petals.They’re not the roses he usually leaves for me.I like that he’s tried something different.Sunflowers are truly gorgeous and I’ve never had anyone give me them before.
He tilts his head, brows drawing together.‘Huh?What do you mean?’
‘Hellooo?’Anya’s voice slices through the moment.‘Aww, Zayden!Did you buy Nora flowers?That’ssocute.’
‘Yeah,’ Zayden grins.‘Iamcute, aren’t I?’
‘Just the cutest,’ she teases, squeezing his cheeks.‘Enjoy your trip!Drive safe.’
‘Thanks, Anya.Have a good weekend!’I reply.
I fill the vase with water and leave the flowers in the kitchen.I usually keep the roses in my room but these ones are so big, they deserve to be shown off to everyone.
We pack our bags into the car and when I slide into the passenger seat, I feel wired.Zayden glances over at me as he reverses out and my eyes rake down his strong jawline and rigid biceps.The tension between us could be cut with a knife.A shiver skates down my spine at the thought of what’s to come with us.
This is going to be a long drive.
Agreeing to a fifth cocktail seemed like a fun idea at the time.
The walls of the bathroom tilt as I stumble out of the stall to wash my hands.After we arrived at the Airbnb, we barely had time to get organised before we were out hanging with some of Zayden’s friends from school.
We had walked into the bar holding hands, and it felt so incredible being with him.That he is proud to be seen with me.He was excited to share the news of us dating and to tell his friends all about me.I’ve never had someone speak so highly of me before.
My mind turns back to the time I was in an online relationship.The back and forth, up and down, getting my hopes up and then crushed constantly.Thank goodness this relationship is nothing like that, and I hate that I still think back to that time.James had such a hold over me and it’s frustrating I can’t shake it.I was never in love with him, how could I be when I’d never met him, but the deep conversations that melted into the early hours of the morning couldn’t have been nothing.
I don’t know why I keep thinking about any of it.I’m happy now, and the past shouldn’t have any hold over me.The wholeexperience was confusing and I don’t want to waste any more energy or time reflecting on it.
The door of the bathroom swings open.Our eyes meet in the reflection of the mirror and my stomach sinks.
It’s Leasa.Zayden’s ex.
Her eyes narrow as she stares at me.The sound of the door closing echoes through the room and neither of us moves for a long moment.Slowly, I turn to face her.She’s dressed in a skintight dress that leaves nothing to the imagination.She has a killer figure and long legs.She is the definition of gorgeous, and I try not to let that make me think any less of myself.
They dated while they both lived here, so it makes sense she comes back to visit.It’s unfortunate that she seems to be here when we are, too.It’s seemingly hard enough to avoid her on campus, let alone in our travels on the weekend.
‘Hello,’ she says, her voice frosty as she stays where she is.
