Working has become tiring. Getting tips is nice, and I loved learning how to make new drinks at first, but nowadays it's hard to even leave the house. Maybe I need to take some time off. Why am I even working so hard anyway? It's been even harder lately since I can't seem to get my mind off Valin.
I returned home and opened the door to find him in his usual spot on the couch. He was shouting,"How the fuck did you miss?! He was right there! There's no hope for you, just uninstall the game."
I shut the door, causing him to look up in my direction and say, "Bye," while closing his laptop and removing his headset.
"Welcome home! How was work?" His expression turned sweet—if he had a tail, I'm sure it'd be wagging. I sat down beside him and said,"It was boring... and it's getting hard to get up in the morning to go..."
Should I mention it's because I miss him? Or would that be too clingy?
"Then quit."
I gasped and turned to him."What?! But I need to make money and build a resume! I need things, and I need to move!"
"...Just stay here... I'll get you whatever you need." He mumbled shyly, avoiding eye contact.
"But... what if I trigger you again? Aren't you worried?" My heart hurt bringing this up because part of me felt like maybe he forgot what happened between us. I'm afraid he'll realize how dangerous a relationship with me could be when all I want is to stay with him. My question caused him to click his tongue and say,"Neuroplasticity."
When I stared at him, confused, he expounded,"I had to change the way I think about you... I can't try to feel what you're feeling, but I can care about your happiness just because you're important to me. If you can be open with me... I'll be fine. I can care about your feelings, I just can't relate to them. So never be afraid to talk to me—I'm happy to know your thoughts, no matter what they are. I'm not dumb enough to make the same mistake twice, and I'm not a fan of pain."
"You're... really putting in effort... but I... also want to keep working so I can get something for you... a gift!" I blurted out, nervously playing with my fingers.
He perked up suddenly and closed the gap between us."Something for me?"
I nodded and said,"What would you like?"
He tapped his chin and glanced at me."...Nothing... though I'd accept anything you give me." I could tell he was holding his tongue—something he only learned to do recently.
"Tell me! I'm saving up, even if it's expensive, I'll try!"
"I... want to... hear your sweet voice screaming my name." I blushed. "I want to have my way with you, for hours on end in multiple positions, until you can't take it anymore and mold your body to mine completely. I want to see how pretty you'll look gagging on my..." I didn't need him to go into so much detail!
"I... meant something that I could buy... w-with cash!" I replied, making him frown.
"Nothing." He grew quiet, then sighed and turned the TV on.
"...Okay, um... what... are we?" I asked, for clarity. It was about time we had this conversation. I needed to know before I said what else was on my mind. I can't be afraid to ask him forever.
"...You're my girlfriend, aren't you? I thought that's why you moved in with me."
I punched his arm."You never asked me out!"
He rubbed where I hit and replied,"I asked you to live with me! Of course I want to be with you—we kiss every day... and you said you liked me... Did only I think we were together? That's kind of embarrassing..."
I kissed him suddenly and said,"We're together!... I want to... be with you too..."
"Oh, that's good." He replied, only slightly relieved, then continued browsing for something to watch. He doesn't get what I mean, or he'd be acting more excited... Do I have to be even more direct?!
"Let's... have sex, Valin."
He crushed the TV remote in his hand as soon as I said this and I yelped. Shaking away the shards of plastic, he silently picked me up and carried me into his room. After gently laying me on the bed, he got up and touched the headboard and walls. They began glowing for a second and released a low humming sound.
"What are you doing?"
"Putting up a fortification barrier... It would be a shame to break our new home and bed."
"You're making me more nervous! Just so you know!" I shouted.
Then he stood at the foot of the bed, looked down at me fondly, and said,"You're so cute... Spread your legs."
I had never heard him sound so commanding. I shut them tight out of sheer nervousness. I felt like my heart was going to burst!
"Val!" He quieted my protests by pressing his mouth to mine. His hands slid under the hem of my skirt, stroking me outside my underwear at first. Then, when my muscles relaxed, they moved underneath, touching me with so much precision it was like he knew my body better than I did. I no longer wanted to argue, and his lips now only muffled moans. I felt my thighs part instinctively, and it was then he stopped kissing me and moved his mouth elsewhere.
He wasn't exaggerating when he said he wanted to kiss every part of me. His fingers explored, plunging inside, stroking, coaxing me closer and closer to the edge. I had already orgasmed twice before he thrust into me...
I woke up the next day locked in his embrace. I have no idea how much time had passed. Valin was smiling at me and playing with my hair.
"I guess cuddling isn't that bad."
I looked up at him and sat up, pulling the covers over my chest."I... don't want to go to work today," I said.
"Then don't."
After his response, I mounted him and leaned down, determined to return the same passion he had shown me earlier, locking my lips to his. Needless to say, I knew I'd be chewed out for skipping work, but being with him was so intoxicating that I wasn't ready to stop yet.
The next morning, Valin came with me to work and we kissed outside the back door of The Happy Cafe before separating. He walked off to the library to read while I worked.
"So you're saying you were sick?" my boss asked.
"Vomiting profusely, ma'am. I couldn't even reach the phone." Kari tapped her desk.
"Doesn't your boyfriend live with you? Couldn't he call on your behalf?"
"Uh... n-no... he was sick too... we were very sick together." I stammered out. My lie made me flush!
"Alright... I still have to write you up for not calling first."
I hung my head and apologized, then joined my coworkers to help open the shop.
"I saw you and your man making out outside." Aliyah teased.
I blushed and said,"Oh... I thought we were alone."
"I thought he was the shy type, but he looked really comfortable with you."
My heart was racing. I found myself about to tell her what happened yesterday, but... I needed to stick by my lies at least.
"He does get social anxiety, pretty bad."
"At first, I thought he was just rude, but then I saw how he is with you. I knew he was nothing but a big softie."
I walked away from her, feeling flustered.
"Oh, stop, I'm trying to work!" she laughed.
"How young is he anyway?"
"He's only three years younger than me... so 21," I replied.
"Yeah? That's his car you drive to work every day too, right? If he were a little taller, he'd be perfect. What is he, 5'9?"
That's when I stopped walking and looked at her."He's already perfect!"
She stopped stocking the shelves, looked at me, and said,"Aww, you're so in love!"
"Shut up!" I shouted back in frustration. Aliyah then changed the subject to an affair the manager was apparently having with the new hire. She saw them kissing in the cold storage.
When my shift ended and Valin came to get me, his shirt was off, but he had on a tank top underneath. As he walked in, many eyes that had ignored him before couldn't look away. He came directly to me and asked,"Are you ready to go?"
He was clutching his shirt and a thick book titled Quantum Theory.
"Yes... Put your shirt on," I instructed. He groaned and rubbed his hair. It had gotten longer—only about three inches—but now it was curling slightly at the ends.
"Fine."
He got dressed and waited for me at an empty table. As I packed up my things, Aliyah came to me and whispered,"I see what you were saying now..."
Her flushed face and eyes locked on him. I walked away from her, left a note on the manager's desk, then met up with Valin and left.
As soon as we were out the door, his hand was on my ass.
"Hey! Sir, we are in public!"
He pecked my cheek, removed his hand, and then said,"Don't call me sir... ma'am." He's right, I don't enjoy the "ma'am." Lesson learned."If it makes you feel better, you can grab me, too. Touch me as much as you want."
I blushed and looked away. "What? That's not the issue? Hmm..."
Being in the car alone with him was harder than I thought it'd be. I felt tense and excited. So as soon as we were parked, I took the chance to grab him by the collar and plant my lips on his. We barely made it through the door before going at it like rabbits in the entryway.
I would never have believed that this man could cause me to feel such intense lust. If I had known it would be like this, I never would have said no to him. We even ended up taking a shower together, falling asleep, and curling up on the couch with a movie playing in the background.
Valin woke me up early the next day and said,"You're going to be late for work."
"Oh... I quit." I replied grumpily.
"What? Why?" he asked.
"You said you didn't want anything. And... it's embarrassing to admit, but I can't stand being away from you for hours... so I quit... maybe one day I can work from home... or do something else." I replied with a yawn.
Valin yawned in response and sat up smiling."I'll order us some food then. What are you in the mood for?"
"I'll pay for it... I want burritos and nachos... and mango salsa too!"
His hand stroked my cheek, and he said,"Anything for you... my love."
END-
"Welcome back Snowe," the White Rabbit greeted, then all my memories blended together and I screamed. "Now tell me, what choice have you made?" she asked and waited patiently until I quieted, and calmed down from the bombardment of my memories colliding. This is horrible...