“Hold up,” one of Kayla’s band members, Kevin I think, asks next, “So, you guys are together?”
I wait for Anna to say something first. I don’t want to be the one debunking it, not in front of her friends, unless she says it first. I don’t want to put her in an uncomfortable spot.
“Oh, it’s not like that between these two.” Vicky squints at us, a hint of a provoking smile curving her lips. “They’re not together.” Her eyes challenge Anna as she adds, “They’re buddies.”
“Gnarly, dude,” Kevin guy says. “Maybe I should cook you dinner then?” He drinks Anna up and I’m a second away from introducing my elbow to his face.
A frisson passes through me as Anna links her fingers with mine under the table, where my hand is rested on my thigh. Too startled by the effect of her touch, I offer no resistance. It’s greater than me. I. Can. Not. Resist. Her. And instead, I unlink our entwined fingers only to lay my palm over hers, seeking complete connection. Her skin feels warm and soft under mine, and everything in my mind seems to ease. And the lines continue to blur in this trajectory of ours when Anna leans her head against my shoulder as the conversation and laughter and drinks flow. By the time we decide to call it a night, my arm is around her waist while she’s snuggled into me, talking to her girlfriends.
Due to Anna’s alcohol induced happy, tired, I drive her home in her car. Of course, it’s one of the most eco-friendly cars available on the market, a small VW e-golf. Feels like I’m driving a toy car compared to my beast of a vehicle. From time to time she sends me sidelong glances that make me think I’m the main source to everything happiness related and there’s nothing I can do but flow with it. It’s her night. She’s happy. She’s celebrating and the last thing I want to do is put a damper on it. Not to mention, though it shouldn’t be, it’s a thing of pleasure, being the source of her happiness.
I rear park the car into its narrow parking slot in the underground garage of Anna’s apartment. With every intention to call it a night, I meet Anna at the car’s front. “I’ll just walk you to the elevator.”
“Wanna come up?” she asks.
I steel myself and lightly shake my head albeit with a soft smile. “I need to get some sleep. I gotta be at the hospital at eight.”
She shrugs, her fatigued grin slipping a little. We take a few silent steps and stop dead in our tracks. Anna lets out a strangled cry and I reflexively push her to stand behind me. We watch the black attired man with a hoodie shadowing his face throw us a glance and sprint out of the garage while dropping a long rod-like item that bounces onto the concrete with a metallic thud. “Stay here,” I tell Anna.
I take a few steps toward where the guy just ran.
“Liam, please don’t. He could be armed.”
At closer inspection, I see that the item he dropped is a Slim Jim.
“Liam,” Anna calls in a weary voice.
I walk back to her and take her hand in mine. “I don’t think he was armed or dangerous. Probably a car theft attempt. Let’s go up. I’ll see you to your door.” I want to make sure she’s safe and sound behind a locked door before I leave.
Anna unlocks the door and turns to me. “Do you mind doing a quick check inside?”
I check every room, including the small balcony and when I meet Anna again where she waits in the living room, she still looks shaken.
She throws me a wobbly smile. “I’ll be okay, thanks.”
She gives me a quick hug and as she pulls back, I dip my chin to catch her eyes. “Do you want me to stay until you fall asleep?”
She bites on her lips, looking genuinely unnerved. “Please?”
Wordlessly, I follow Anna to her bedroom. She disappears behind the bathroom door and I drop to the bed looking upward and sigh. I take off my shoes, adjust the pillow behind me, and sit upright with my legs stretched in front of me on the bed. A few minutes later Anna opens the door, her face clean of makeup, her hair falling on her shoulders. She’s wearing similar pajamas to the ones she wore when I brought her breakfast the other day. A cropped sweatshirt that showcases most of her stomach and the shortest pair of loose shorts.
Kill. Me. Now.
I swallow thickly and somehow manage to produce a smile rather than the growl simmering at the back of my throat.
She eyes me for a beat and slips into bed. She fiddles with her phone and sets it on the nightstand beside her, turns to lie on her side, both hands tucked under her cheek. She sends me an easy smile and twists her mouth. “You know, you can just sleep here, save you the trouble and the time of going back home.” She lets out a cheeky laugh. “I promise not to take advantage of you.”
The prospect of her taking advantage of me deepens that growl trapped deep inside me. Makes sense though. I won’t be able to function tomorrow if I don’t get some proper sleep. “Right,” I say and stand up. Unceremoniously, I unbuckle my belt, rip open the buttons securing my jeans and drop my pants to the floor. I take off my socks next and with a T-shirt and snug boxers get under the covers. I turn to lie on my side, facing my bedmate.
“I owe you one,” Anna says. Her voice is a whisper under the silence of the dimmed room.
“You’ll do the dishes tomorrow.”
She lets out a wheezy laugh. “Wanker.”
We both laugh now. With her dexterous ability to ask the most random things at the most random time, Anna asks next, “Perfect date?”
“That’s random,” I say through a chuckle. “What’s yours?”
She thinks. “Umm . . . ” Her eyes roam around the room pensively and come back to mine. “No bra.”
“What a coincidence, mine too!” I say and she rolls her eyes animatedly.
“Fluffy socks. At home, takeaway, wine, and a flowing conversation and silly jokes.” She eyes me. “Your turn.”
“Good company. The setting doesn’t matter much. When it works all the rest is just noise.”
Her stare penetrates every layer of mine as she says, “Truer words were never spoken.” And then she repeats my words with a soft voice, “When it works all the rest is just noise.” We stare at each other for a quiet stretch till Anna breaks it with a healthy yawn. “Night, Liam,” she says next and turns her back to me.
“Sweet dreams,” I say and fight the urge to spoon her.
Anna falls asleep not too long after, however, I find it harder to find my peace. I turn to lie on my back, my fingers stippled together resting on my lips, my thoughts scattered all over the place. Anna, by my side, steers to face me, her features eased in serene harmony. Moon glow filters through the sheer curtains, highlighting her delicate features. I take my time drinking her in. My stomach tightens with feelings and lust. I dare a feathery brush with the tips of my fingers over her restful face. Controlling my resistance to her is like manhandling a slippery fish. I keep watching her sleep till my eyes give in and slumber takes over.
My eyes rip open to the sound of my alarm, and as I haste to kill it. I find myself hindered by the warm body tangled with mine. I pat my way on the nightstand in search of my phone and finally manage to stop the noise. Now that I’ve silenced the rude awakening, I give my full attention to my current situation where Anna’s head is resting on my chest, her arm dropped leisurely on my stomach and one of her legs is strewn over my thighs. My heart drums as I nuzzle her hair with my nose, taking in her warm, sweet-powdery scent. On my chest, she gently turns her head. She tips it up, her eyes crawling hesitantly to mine.