“They were behind you when we were sitting,” I say with a slight shrug.
I watch as the hard line of Karl’s jaw tenses, the muscle above it ticking visibly. “That’s why you kissed me? For the photo?”
“That’s what tonight was about, right? Our official debut as a couple?”
He’s silent as he seems to come to some sort of decision. He sticks his hands in his pockets again. “Right. Well, goodnight, Lola,” he says, his tone harsh. Then, he goes to his bedroom.
I blink after him. What did I do now?
* * *
The following morning,I lay awake in my room with Pixel curled around my feet as we wait for Karl to go on his run. At seven on the dot, the soft knock at my door comes. “Come in,” I say and sit up in the bed.
Pixel stirs and stretches before getting off the bed.
“Sorry. Did I wake you?”
I shake my head. “No. I’ve been up for a bit.”
“Come on, Pix,” Karl says, looking down at Pixel. “We’re going on our run. When we get back, we’re starting lessons, so get ready.”
“Really?” I beam up at him. I rush to stand on my bed and jump up once excitedly. “Hell yeah!”
Karl chuckles and leaves with Pixel, shaking his head until he is out of view. “And clean up that mess,” he yells from down the hall.
There’s no way I’m cleaning my room. Spend a year cleaning professionally, then tell me you have any desire to ever clean again. I don’t care that half my things are in boxes. I can live out of boxes. Besides, what’s the point when I’ll have to ship them soon, anyway? Instead of cleaning, I go on a mission.
Since moving in, I’ve been tempted to snoop in his room again, but so far I’ve managed to refrain, at least since I stole his hoody at his old place.
After last night, I’m more curious than ever. The smell of him is long gone from the hoody, and it’s time I replace it with something else.
Double-checking he’s gone, I sneak into his bedroom and toss the hoodie in his laundry bin. I have to roll my eyes at how neat Karl keeps everything. He is completely unpacked, and I swear the man dusts daily. What a neat freak. Rock-star party monster, my ass.
I’m perusing his closet, thinking about what new garment I can steal, when a thought crosses my mind. I know I have at least an hour before he comes back, so I head toward his bathroom.
I haven’t been in this bathroom before, and my eyes bulge when I take it in. It’s larger than my room was at Ileana’s. The his-and-her shower has two rain showerheads with an assortment of detachable nozzles. I have no idea what they’re all for. Man, Sofia really is living the high life now. This was her room not too long ago.
There’s a built-in bench carved of stone all along the edge, and I’d kill to shower in here. The bench is perfect for shaving my legs.
A small thrill runs through me, and I jump in place. Between Karl announcing we’re starting lessons today and being in Karl’s private space, I can’t stop myself from what I’m about to do.
I undress and step into his shower. I don’t think about the consequences or care that when he gets back from his run and jumps in the shower, he’ll notice it’s wet.
The water runs hot down my body, and I close my eyes with appreciation. Wondering if he has a sound system in the shower, I call out, “PlayIndustrial November.” A soft chime sounds, and a soothing voice answers. “PlayingIndustrial November, Metal Red Day.” I squeal as one of my favorite songs comes on, and the volume is blaring through the shower.
Best shower ever.
I grab the bottle of body wash and bring it to my nose. It has an earthy smell I’ve caught a whiff of on Karl before when he doesn’t shave and skips the aftershave. Lathering some in my hands, I wash my body, letting the smell of Karl envelop me in the steamy shower. I look over at the wall with handles and attachments and zero in on a detachable showerhead.
I don’t know if it’s the smell of Karl, the steaming shower, the luxury of the bathroom, my favorite song playing, or me just being horny, but there’s only one thing to do next.
After adjusting the main showerhead to aim at the bench, I take a seat under the rainfall and spread my legs wide, bringing the detachable showerhead to my seam.
The water pressure is out of this world against my clitoris, and I moan with pleasure.
I close my eyes, thinking back to our kiss last night.
The most perfect first kiss in the world.