“I think I got this, just need a different environment,” I mumble. “I’m going to head to my room and stay over if that’s okay.”
“Alex, this will always be your home. You never have to ask.”
“I know, Mom. Thanks.”
I quickly run to my room, ignoring the music coming from Adriana’s room. Fuck, she listens to crap.
As I turn on my light, I dump my bag and look around. Everything is just how I left it. Despite being away at college for many years, it’s always good to be back home.
I don’t waste any time turning my lamp on and getting my books out. With my headphones on, the music plays in my ears to drown out all the outside noise.
Hours pass, and I slowly grow weary. My eyes glance at the clock—
it’s just past midnight. I lean back in my chair to stretch my arms and crack my knuckles. I’ve hit my mental peak, knowing anything else I read from here on in will be pointless and not sink in.
The house is quiet with everyone asleep. I take a quick shower to warm my muscles, but a growl escapes my stomach making me hungry. Mom must have something in the refrigerator. This is the perks of living with a woman who knows how to cook.
Walking down the hallway, I make my way to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, Mom has some leftover casserole. I quickly heat it up, then eat out of the bowl.
I’m not feeling in the mood to sleep in my room, preferring the couch since it’s softer, so I decide to head back to my room to grab my pillow and blanket first.
As I turn off the light, I hear a noise in front of me then crash into a female body.
The heated skin feels like nothing I’ve touched before, igniting some sort of reaction from me. It’s not my sister or my mom, so my breathing stops with curiosity.
“Holy shit!” a girl’s voice yells.
My body falls on top of hers, pinning her to the stairs. The unfamiliar scent is intoxicating, a perfume I’ve never smelled before. Beneath me, her body tenses up, and I can only assume it’s a friend of Adriana’s staying over.
A jolt ofsomethingshoots through me, causing a groan to escape my lips. I’m careful not to hurt her, pulling myself up to flick the light switch.
The familiar brown eyes blink at the sudden light, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s Charlotte, all grown up.
“Charlotte?”
My eyes are drawn to how beautiful she has become. It’s been years since I saw her last, so long I can’t even recall.
“I’m so sorry, Alex,” she answers in a squeaky voice, almost like she’s affected by my presence.
Then, she reaches for the back of her head and winces. She must have hit it on the stairs. She rubs it gingerly, then lets out a small, “Ow.”
“Are you okay? Come sit down.”
I pull one of the stools out as she follows, then takes a seat. The lump needs to calm down, so I grab a bag of peas from the freezer and hold them against the lump. My height overpowers her, but then her warm breaths fall against my bare chest causing me to close my eyes at how good it feels.Why the fuck am I feeling this, like butterflies or something?
Then, I remember where I am and who I’m with.
“Better?” I ask, with a smile, as my eyes are drawn to her chest.
Fuck, she’s not wearing a bra.
I do the math in my head. She’s what … eighteen?
Why are you even thinking about her age? Turn away now, stop staring at her perfectly shaped tits and hard nipples peeking through her tank.
Charlotte quickly folds her arms, noticing my perverted stare.
“Yes, thank you. I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize you were here. Adriana didn’t mention you had returned from college.”