“Ethan!” she screeches as I haul her ass upstairs. I don’t put her down until we’re in the master bathroom and I’ve turned the water on.
Once she’s on her feet, I lift my shirt over my head and throw it into the hamper. Nevaeh’s eyes rake down my body as I push my sweats and boxers down my thighs.
“Ethan!” Her hands fly to cover her eyes. “You’re naked!”
“The last time I checked, people don’t shower in their clothes.”
She peeks out from between two of her fingers. “I don’t think we’re there yet… Seeing each other naked.”
Her voice is soft, and I suddenly feel like a fucking asshole. I’m so used to women throwing themselves at me. Being more than comfortable in their own skin. I just gave her her first real orgasm…through our clothes. Of course she wouldn’t be comfortable getting naked yet.
“I didn’t think,” I say, pulling my drenched pants back up. “Shower in here and I’ll go shower in the other bathroom.”
Before she can respond, I’m out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me and heading down the hall to the bathroom I’ve been using. I shower and change into clean sweats. Figuring Nevaeh will need some time to herself, I lie down in bed, grabbing my laptop and cell phone so I can get some work done.
I don’t know how long I’m working when there’s a knock on my door.
“Come in.”
The door creaks open, and standing there is Nevaeh, dressed in another pair of my boxers and club T-shirt. “Didn’t I pack you pajamas?”
“Yeah,” she says softly, her cheeks turning that signature shade of pink I love. “But your clothes are more comfortable.”
After a moment of silence, she says, “Are you mad at me?”
Closing the top to my laptop, so I can give her my full attention, I ask, “Why would you think that?”
“Because I wasn’t ready to get naked in the shower.”
“Come here.” I nod toward the bed and set my laptop on the nightstand. Without needing to be told twice, Nevaeh scurries over to the other side of the bed and climbs in. She bunches up the blankets and gets comfortable like she’s planning to stay awhile.
“I’m not mad at you,” I tell her once she’s settled down and ready to listen.
“You ran out of the bathroom like your butt was on fire.” Her bottom lip juts out in an adorable pout.
“I was caught up in the moment,” I admit. “Your innocence… is new to me.”
“Because the women you’re usually with would’ve undressed you themselves,” she says with a frown, looking away. “You must think I’m so lame.”
“Hey.” I bring her face back to me. “Don’t ever be ashamed of your innocence. It’s part of what makes you who you are.” I twist my body to face her. “I don’t think you’re lame. I think your inexperience is refreshing.”
“Then why did you hide away in your room?”
“I was trying to give you some space.”
“I don’t want space,” she says, shaking her head. “Every time I’m alone I think about my brother and I get sad. When I’m around you, you distract me.” She curls her arm around a pillow and lays her head down on it. “Can I… maybe sleep in here tonight?” Her eyes are hooded over and she’s halfway to falling asleep.
“Sure,” I tell her, feeling like shit that I’m partially the reason she’s lost her brother and is sad.
“Thank you,” she says through a yawn. “That orgasm really wiped me out.” She laughs softly.
When I reach over to grab my laptop from my nightstand, she says, “What does your tattoo mean? ‘Never forget’.”
I glance down at the tattoo she’s referring to, realizing I’m shirtless, and memories come flooding back.
Twelve YearsAgo
“And… it’s a girl!” the doctor announces.
