We debate our way up the stairs and along the hall to her room, and I can tell she wants the last word.
She bats her lashes at me. “Thanks for the ride, by the way.”
She leans against the brick and fumbles for her keys, while I steady myself on the wall, grasping for an excuse to be invited in.
Hard-on: 1. Fresh air: 0.
She whips her head up suddenly, like she can feel the energy radiating off me in waves, and I swear I hear her swallow. It’s music to my ears. She waves her hand between us to tell me to back up, and I can see my chances fading.
Out of ideas for a subtle approach, I decide to go straight for the kill.
“You look stressed again,” I whisper, fingers brushing her forearm. “Anything I can do?”
13CARRIE
You look stressed again,” he whispers.
The look in his eyes says it all.Whatever you do, don’t answer that…Easier said than done, though, when your skin is on fire the way mine is right now.
Pinned between him and the wall, I gasp for air, every muscle in my body taut and primed for action.
“I’m pretty chill, actually,” I drawl.
“You look like you’re about to explode, Carrie.”
Not true.I was doing just fine, until he started flirting with me.
Sleeping with him was… a very enjoyable experience—better than I would’ve liked, honestly—but it was a one-off, and I plan on keeping it that way. It’s bad enough we did it a second time on my damnrugof all places, like I’m some hapless, hopeless fangirl. There’s no way we’re going down that road again—no matter how much I really, really fucking want to.
It’s hormones, Carrie. It’s all just hormones.
I take a deep breath in and duck down, slipping under his arm, my key fumbling in the lock.
I step into the room and spin around to push the door shut behind me, pausing to whisper through the crack.
“Night, Wolinski.”
He pulls a sad face. “What if I recited a poem? Showed you a little of that vulnerable side?”
I laugh. “You think that’d be enough for me to let you in?”
“It sounded plausible in my head.”
“Sweet dreams.”
I slam the door shut and lock it tight, leaning my head against the cool wood as I catch my breath.Great work, Carrie!
His voice rings out on the other side of the latch. “Notice how I’m wearing jeans?”
“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” I call back.
“It’s got back pockets, and all…”
“Wow. You know how to get a girl excited, huh?” I deadpan.
“Pockets, Carrie…” he murmurs. “Think about it.”
I rack my brains, trying to figure out what the pocket obsession is all about, when it hits me. I burst out laughing.
