She wrapped her arms around my body and started to push me toward the pillows. A second later, I threw my cropped sweater across the room and Drea continued to move her lips lower and lower down my chest.
She teased and pulled on the lacy material of my bra. The things she could do with her mouth were unimaginable.
Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw a shadow in the hallway. I shot up, holding my chest, and screamed.
The color drained from Drea’s face. “Blair, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“No! There is someone over there watching us!”
Drea turned around and ran toward the direction of the shadow. I quickly pulled on my sweater and ran after her. When I got to her, I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Houdini! Go home, you little peeping Tom,” Drea said as she ushered the terrified bird back into his exhibit.
We made our way back to our ruined picnic. “Well, that was a bit of a buzzkill.” I giggled as I tried to pick up the flowers and ruined pastries.
“Sorry, love. Kenzie did mention that Houdini could be a bit of a cockblock. Want to head out and go back to your place?”
I couldn’t stifle a laugh. “Sure.”
The drive back home was quiet, and the silence made me uneasy. “Can I ask you something?” I finally said, unable to handle the silence any longer, curiosity getting the better of me.
She smiled, caressing my fingers with hers. “Of course, darling. You know you can ask me anything.”
I looked down at our joined hands and took a deep breath. “Why do we always go back to my place? Not that I mind, of course. I love having you there.I just… You’ve never invited me over to yours, and I was curious, I guess. I’m sorry if that’s stupid.” It had been nagging at me for a few weeks, but I never found the time to ask.
My cheeks were turning red, and I wished I could have jumped out of the car. I never should’ve said anything. What if she thought I was ungrateful or something?Don’t be ridiculous, B!
Her hand froze and she looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite name. “I… uhh…”
After what felt like several minutes of contemplating, she cleared her throat and put a soft smile on her perfect lips. “Any excuse I was about to give wouldn’t have been a good one. I can explain more once we get there.”
I looked at her, not missing the meaning behind her words. “Drea?—”
“Blair.” She squeezed my hand. “Iwantyou there, okay? I’m sorry I haven’t asked you sooner. It’s a habit, but it wasn’t my intention to… I would love for you to come over. Should I prepare the guest room?”
“Only if you’re sleeping in there with me.” I answered hesitantly. Of course I wanted to, but why was she being so weird about it? I wanted to know the real reason she hadn’t had me over yet. Was she ashamed of where she lived? Was she a slob? Did she have?—
The questions swirling in my head died off as we turned onto a driveway that seemed to go on forever. It was surrounded by lines of trees, and that made it seem like you were driving down a back road, not a driveway to someone's house.
Finally,after what seemed like another mile of driving down the driveway, the largest house I had ever seen came into view. I didn’t think my brows could raise any more as I turned to look at Drea, who was slightly shaking.What is going on?
I tried to speak, but I could only sputter out a few words. “What… You live… Huh?!”
She chuckled, but I didn’t miss the redness coating her cheeks. Why was she embarrassed? Because she was rich? No—not rich…filthy fuckingrich?
“Okay, I’m sorry if this seems rude, but what the actual fuck?!”
She groaned. I was still confused as to why she seemed so weird. “Can we talk inside, please? I’ll explain everything.”
I nodded as she walked around the car to open my door for me. She took my hand as I stepped out and pulled me closer to her, nearly taking all the air out of my lungs. She always had a way of doing that.
“I had a really great time tonight, and I hope my weirdness hasn’t ruined the mood. Tonight was… special to me, and I don’t want it to end.”
A rock lodged itself in my throat. I wasn’t used to seeing Drea so vulnerable, and I didn’t know what to make of it. All I could do was smile and accept the kiss she offered me. I found out early on that as much as I tried to, I couldn’t deny her anything. If she wanted it, it was hers.
“Tonight was perfect,” I said when she broke the kiss. “Thank you. I can’t believe you planned all of that for me. But this house…” I took in a breath and shook my head. It just didn’t make sense. She owned a small bookstore and drove a tiny purple car. None of it was adding up. “I just don’t understand.”
“I know. I should have brought you sooner… I should have explained things sooner, but I just…” I turned to see if she would say something else, but she didn’t. She shook her head and led us inside where any further words I had in my vocabulary swiftly died off.
