We’ve haven’t really talked about how we went from what we were to what we are now. Much like everything else with us, it just was.
When we start the second movie, sans blood, guts, and the undead, I decide to stretch out, draped all over the couch. Evan makes for the floor to lean back, but I reach down and take his hand. I silently guide him to lay behind me and share the covers. His arm slinks around my waist and I feel him breathing against the back of my neck. In our years of constant companionship, I’ve laid on a couch with Evan many times before, but not like this.
The next thing I know, I’m being woken up to the light and my dad telling Evan his parents probably want him home.
“Sorry, Mr. Walker, we fell asleep watching the movie.” His sleepy voice is yummy.
“I know, bud, I just don’t want your parents to worry. Laney, go get in your bed, kiddo.”
“Yeah, Dad, let me just walk him out.”
At the door, Evan leans in to give me a hug and sweet kiss on my cheek as we say our goodnight. There’s no way he could have missed my shiver.
Just as my eyes are closing, I get a text.
Evan: I had a great time tonight, another best
Laney: Really? We’ve done movie night for years Babe
Babe? Yup, I’m leaving it—send.
Evan: But not with me up against your body, holding u, falling asleep with u
Long delay as I talk myself out of talking myself out of it. I am 18 and it’s Evan. I’m finally getting a glimpse of being a girl, noticing a boy, and the bravery it suddenly instills in me.
Laney: Can you sneak back out?
Evan: Yes. Why?
Laney: I want to fall asleep with you again.
Evan: Now?
Laney: Now.
Four minutes exactly until his gorgeous face appears at my window.
“Did you lock your door?” he whispers as he’s finally through the window and inside my room. “I don’t want your dad to kill me!”
“Yes, and I set my phone alarm for seven. You’re safe.”
“We haven’t done this since we were like what, thirteen?”
“I loved that cat, Evan! I couldn’t possibly have slept alone the night he died!”
“I know, angel, totally understandable.”
I hope he doesn’t think he hid that patronizing smirk. Truth is, he’d made that night bearable and risked getting in a ton of trouble to comfort me, so I’d finally reward him...right about now seems good.
I scoot to the side of the bed, and in my best seductress move, pull him to me by his belt loop. His gaze never leaves mine; we speak without words. My heart is slamming against the walls of my chest as I run my hands up his chest. He lets me raise his shirt above his head and toss it to the floor. God, he’s amazing. His pecs are so well-defined and his abs are lined in a perfect six pack that v down into his waistband.
There’s no way this is the same body he’s been bringing to family picnics and swims all these years! I mean really, how bad was this damn fog I’d been living in? The thought of running my hands, mouth, and tongue all over him doesn’t quite shock me this time. I get more comfortable with my reactions to him every day, but I’m still nervous as hell right now. You’re probably supposed to ease yourself from foggy tomboy hermit to jezebel, but I’m ignoring that inner voice right now.
I start to unbuckle his belt, stopping to look up at him and make sure this is okay. He nods slightly and runs a hand down my face. I slide it through the loops, adding it to his shirt. My hands are trembling as his hand joins mine to guide me as I unbutton his pants and pull down his zipper.
The air hisses between his teeth and I feel his body tense, but he helps me move his jeans to the floor, our gazes still locked as he steps out of them. He is now standing before me, lit only by the moonlight through my window, in just his navy boxer briefs. I can clearly see the effect this is having on him, and I have to force myself to hold his gaze rather than let my eyes wander.
I really hope he doesn’t think less of me right now, but I can’t seem to help myself. He’s awakened something in me and I feel a little forward, but yeah...not quite seeing disapproval in his eyes, more the exact opposite, so I’m thinking we’re good.
I lay down, folding back the covers, and say, “hold me, Evan.”
He gently slips under the covers with me, sliding up against my back. I lift my head up and pull up my hair, so he can slip one arm under. The other arm goes around my waist and pulls me tighter against him. I don’t even try to stifle my satisfied sigh and I feel him twitch against me in response.
“Night, Evan.” My voice comes out shaky. He kisses my hair. “Night, my Laney.”
Chapter Six
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AMAZED
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Laney
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