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“I don’t know. You’re wearing a short top, and you were dancing with him …”
“And it was just fun. We’re friends. It was a first date. Nothing was going to happen.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
“What have you been doing?”
“I was watching a movie.”
“Oh, anything fun?”
“Terminator.”
“Oh, really?” I look at him in surprise. “That’s such an old movie.”
“I like to watch old movies sometimes. Plus, I wanted to make sure I was awake when you got home, in case you needed me for anything.”
“What would I need you for, Brett?”
“I don’t know. In case you needed me to beat up Marcus because he’d crossed the line.”
“You’d beat him up for me?”
“I’d do a lot more than that if he hurt you.” His voice goes lower, and I realize he’s serious.
My heart flips for a second. The deepness of his voice awakens some part of me that has been dormant for a long time. The part of me that wants to be protected and cared for.
“That’s kind of romantic and nice, but also kind of weird.” I stretch. “I think I’m going to change into my PJs, but I’m not quite tired yet. Maybe I’ll watch the rest of the movie with you?”
“Okay, if you want.” His voice is nonchalant, but his body is on high alert. “I can’t promise I’ll stay awake for long now that you’re back and I know you’re safe, but sure.”
“Okay.”
I head into the bedroom and quickly peel off my clothes. I open my duffel bag and look for my pajamas. As I think back to earlier tonight, a naughty little thought crosses my mind. Brett totally crossed the line when we were out. I’m not sure what his plan was, whether he wanted me thinking about him for the rest of my date, but I’m going to play his game right back.
I pull off my bra, grab a T-shirt, and pull it on. It falls just under my ass. I decide to leave my panties on, but I don’t put on any shorts. I brush my hair, hurry to the bathroom, brush my teeth, and wash my face, carefully cleaning off my makeup. Then I head out to the living room.
“Hey, sorry, I was brushing my teeth. You didn’t fall asleep, did you?”
“No.” He looks up from the couch, and I see his eyes widen as I step toward him. “I thought you were putting on your pajamas.”
“I have them on,” I say, looking down at my T-shirt.
“Where’s the bottom half?” he says, frowning as he sits up and gazes at my long legs.
“I like to sleep in just a T-shirt. I hope that’s okay.” I stretch, and I see his eyes go to my top. I push my shoulders back as I head toward him. I know he knows I’m not wearing a bra.
He nods slightly. “So, do you want to watch Terminator 2, or shall we watch something else?”
“I don’t know. What are you thinking?” I lean back and slide my legs up onto the couch. “Do you mind if I stretch out?”
“Not at all,” he says. “But you can answer my question.”
“We can watch Terminator 2.” I don’t really care what movie we watch. “I don’t want you to have to watch a chick flick just because that’s my go-to. I mean, when you’re in a relationship, you compromise, right?”
“That you do.”
He presses play, and the movie starts on the screen.
