The knock at the door startles me out of my reverie. I open it. Deb and Lillian stand there. I’m disappointed to see Channa isn’t with them.
“We’re going to head into London and get some groceries to stock the fridge since it’s way too expensive to eat out all the time. Since you’ll be here longer than we will, we figured you’d want to do the same. Want to share a cab?” Deb asks.
“Good idea,” I say.
They leave and I change into a clean pair of jeans and a hoodie. I sit on the couch and wait for the girls to come out of their rooms, assuming they’re also getting ready. Channa comes out and my mouth falls open. She’s wearing a sweater that hugs her large breasts, and yoga pants that strain against her hips and ass almost obscenely. Her curves are nothing short of a work of art, I mean, holy shit ...
Channa notices me staring and blushes. “They’re Lillian’s. She’s the only one whose clothes fit me at all. Luckily she had more than just jeans or I would’ve been screwed.” Her tone is softer. Maybe she’s getting used to the idea of me being around. I hope that’s the case. I try to hide my raging erection so the sight of it doesn’t change her mind.
I want her more than ever. And I can tell, if she would just let her guard down and let go of that embarrassment, she’d want me too. I have the next few weeks to make that happen and I plan to make this a vacation she’ll never forget.
3
Channa
I can’t believe I’m stuck living with Kain for the next couple of weeks. Why did it have to be with the guy I accidentally groped? This is so humiliating. Now I’m squished into the back of a taxi with him. I close my eyes, trying to ignore the delicious almond scent of his shampoo and the warmth of his knee pressed against mine. My friends chatter endlessly, oblivious to my predicament.
I’d wanted to take the Tube, but the other girls were too nervous to navigate it just yet. All they wanted was to hurry and get some groceries so we’d have plenty of time to party tonight. I’m exhausted and in no mood to party. I have plenty of time to hit the hotspots after I’ve gotten past this jetlag, and hopefully once my bags have arrived.
I’m really struggling to relax with Kain sitting so close to me. I can’t help but glance up at him from time to time, and each time I do, I find him grinning at me with his perfectly straight white teeth and smoldering gray eyes that make my entire body tingle. My body reacts around him despite the protest of my mind. Though I’m telling myself to stay as far away from this guy as possible so I don’t embarrass myself again, I find myself leaning into him, my nipples growing hard just from that.
I wish I were wearing something less revealing. I feel so self-conscious right now. This is not a feeling that goes well with humiliation. Being next to Kain makes me feel out of control and constantly on edge. I’m desperate to feel like myself again, collected and in control. If I don’t get my suitcase back by tonight, I’m definitely going to need to buy some clothes. There’s no way I’m going to be able to keep squeezing my curves into my friends’ clothes. I’ve always dressed very modestly to try and blend in with the crowd. I never liked attention, and wearing clothes that fit like a second skin is most certainly drawing attention to myself. Kain’s made it very obvious that he’s noticed.
I guess the attention isn’t all that bad. I’m a shy person. I’ve never wanted that kind of attention, but now that I’m getting it, I can see why other girls like the feeling. I don’t think I would want this kind of attention from random strangers, but getting it from Kain isn’t so bad. I kind of like it.
We get to the grocery store and Deb and Lillian chatter in front of us while Kain seems to linger behind with me. He makes little comments on the differences in the food.
“They call chips crisps,” he says. “Chips are fries.” I’m only barely listening. “And they call cake, sponge, and cookies are biscuits.”
I wonder if he realizes he keeps brushing up against me or if it’s accidental. It’s hard to believe he doesn’t feel the shock of electricity that passes between our skin, the vibrations, the adrenaline.
It’s difficult for me to think straight, to focus. I keep gasping, forgetting to breathe.
“Are you all right?” he asks as I gulp for air.
No. Not even a little bit.
“Yes,” I say and try to get back to the business of grocery shopping. “Everything is just so different. I’m a little overwhelmed.”