Chapter 4
Trevor.
A light noise had me awake, being a very light sleeper. I got up and got out of bed, running a hand through my hair and deciding against tying it up into another bun.
Slipping my shirt on and heading out into the living room, I saw Amber on the couch, hoodie off and a book in hand, with a half-eaten cinnamon roll in front of her.
"Where's Reese?" I asked, my voice startling her a bit as she dropped the book before turning to look at me.
“Oh, hey. You're awake.”
“Yeah. Reese?” I asked again.
“Errands to run, so she had to leave.”
"Oh.” Was all I said, scanning the room before plopping my ass right next to her on the couch. The cushions sank slightly beneath my weight, and my gaze unconsciously shifted to where a pendant sat between the shadowed valley of her breasts.
Way to go, pervert.
“And there's probably a storm coming,” she continued, looking out the window where storm clouds were slowly gathering, “I hope she gets back on time.”
I really, really hoped she did too, because she was the only thing standing between me and bending Amber over that kitchen counter.
Okay, that's it. I was putting myself in time out.
“What you reading there?” I asked, nodding towards her book, while not so subtly sliding my hand across the back of the couch.
Color spread across her cheeks immediately. Damn, she blushed so easily.
“It's a… romance.” She paused slightly before answering.
“And what happens in it?” I pressed on, though I could already make a wild guess from the cover—a ripped guy in an open santa costume.
“Um, stuff.” She shrugged, clutching the book tighter.
“I get it, princess,” I said with a laugh, the pet name slipping out before I could control it, “really, really interesting stuff.”
“Princess, huh?” She raised an eyebrow at me.
“I won't say it again if it bothers you,” I offered, my tone sincere.
“It's okay,” she said with a small laugh of her own, “just caught me a little off guard. That's all.”
An awkward silence descended upon us after that. I mindlessly scrolled through the shows on the TV, not really able to settle on anything. And while Amber kept reading silently beside me, the fine lines between her brows and her increasingly hurried flipping of the pages told me she was just as affected by the atmosphere as I was.
“This isn't working,” she groaned shortly after, slamming the book shut.
“What, sexy Santa not cutting it for you anymore?” I teased.
“Shut up,” she grabbed a throw pillow, burying her face in it.
“Hey, I wasn't even talking.” I said in defense, putting my hands up.
“But you just had to be… there.” Her voice came out muffled through the pillow.
“Where?” I asked, playing dumb.
“You know. There.” She waved in my general direction, her fingers brushing my chest for the briefest of moments.
“But I don't know, princess. You'd have to tell me.” I pressed on, enjoying the sight of the red creeping up her exposed neck.
“You won't rest till I admit it, won't you?” She finally released the pillow, and despite her aggravated voice there was a small smile on her face.
“Rest? What's that?” I smirked.
She shook her head, completely amused by my antics. At least I'd succeeded in diffusing the awkward tension from earlier.
“I think I've had enough of sexy santa for one day.” She said, and as she leaned forward to place the book on the coffee table, I caught sight of some ink curving right above her waistband.
A low back tattoo… fuck my life.
The sight went straight to my cock and I shifted, trying to hide how quickly I was hardening. Completely oblivious to my growing torment, she leaned back, taking the remote from me and continuing the search on the TV.
“Fancy anything?” She asked.
“You're the expert.” If she heard the struggle in my voice, she didn't comment on it, keeping her attention fixed on the TV and picking a movie.
“You don't have to be overly conscious around me, Trevor. Anyone who has eyes can tell you're hot.” She said after we'd watched in silence for a while, completely catching me off guard.
“So you think I'm hot?” I replied, not caring if it was bait. I took it.
“I said nothing about having eyes.” She said, rolling her eyes as she said so.
I could have those eyes rolling back in her head for far more pleasurable reasons.
“I beg to differ,” I argued, shifting until my thigh brushed hers, “but I think they're really pretty.”
I was so close now that I could pick up her scent, soft vanilla and something floral. It sent signals straight below my waistband, my shorts tightening uncomfortably with every second that passed.
“I'm going to the bathroom.” She announced, getting up abruptly, and I instantly missed her warmth.
“Yeah, sure. Okay.” I replied, trying to put myself together.
“You good?” She paused and turned her head, stretching so her top slid up and revealed a bit more of that tattoo.
“Great.” I forced out.
Lie. I was anything but great right now.
“Don't keep watching without me.” She said and sauntered off, the mischievous glint in her eye telling me she knew exactly what she was doing.
Well, two could play that game, princess.