Chapter 11 Nora #3
Zayden’s been doing most of the hard work, all I’ve had to do is translate what’s being asked of him in a way that he understands, and then he has no problem conducting research and writing his findings.
Other than a few spelling mistakes and grammar issues, it’s overall very decent work.
He certainly gives himself a harder time than necessary when it comes to these things, but I’m not one to talk, since I’m guilty of the same thing. We are our own harshest critics.
‘Break?’ he suggests, looking hopeful. We did go for a walk earlier after about two hours but since then, we haven’t so much as stopped for a bathroom break.
‘Absolutely. Well deserved.’
‘Let’s go get some food.’
‘Sounds good.’
Getting to my feet, I stretch my arms over my head. My shirt rides up and Zayden’s eyes dart to the slither of skin revealed. I quickly drop my arms, hating how that is my automatic reaction.
We step out onto the driveway.
‘Bike?’ he suggests, wiggling his eyebrows.
I turn my eyes upwards at the dark sky overhead. ‘It looks like it’s going to storm.’
‘Excuses,’ he mutters, shaking his head, a playful smirk on his face.
‘Next time.’ I grin.
He points a finger at me. ‘I’m holding you to that.’
We pull up to a burger place that Zayden mentions he wants to show me.
The restaurant is quiet inside when we arrive and make our way to a booth at the back.
The latest chart-topping pop music drifts out of the speakers.
The waitress is over at our table almost instantly and Zayden orders for the both of us, assuring me that he ordered me the best burger on the menu.
‘The best?’ I repeat, leaning forward onto my elbow.
‘Mmhmm. I’ve taste-tested every single one, so I’d know.’
‘I see. A real expert, you might say.’
‘That’s right.’
She reappears with our drinks and I take a long gulp of the liquid, enjoying the coolness on my throat. I feel like I’m tired from today, despite not having done much physically.
‘I have to ask you something,’ Zayden confesses, shifting the glass in a circle with his thumb and forefinger.
‘I’m nervous now …’ I trail off, narrowing my eyes. ‘What is it?’
‘You mentioned that you’d never had an orgasm before.’
Heat licks my cheeks and I sink into my seat, glancing around us, mortified that he can just say these kinds of things out in public without a care in the world. He grins in amusement, enjoying my reaction.
‘That’s right.’
‘So, am I correct in assuming that you don’t … play with yourself?’ he asks, somehow looking innocent as he leans forward, taking a long slurp of his drink.
My throat suddenly feels paper dry. Nodding, I reach for my drink. ‘You would be correct.’
‘Since a part of the deal is trying new experiences, I would like to do something, but I think it would be better if it was a surprise.’
‘Now I’m really nervous.’
‘Do you trust me?’ he asks, a coy smile playing around his lips.
‘I suppose so …’ I trail off.
‘Good.’
Our food arrives then, and I eye him suspiciously for a little longer before digging in. I don’t know what he’s up to, but alongside the nerves, I’m a little excited to be exploring new things. Especially with him.
He’s easy to talk to. We seem to talk about nothing and everything somehow all at once, the conversation never slowing or getting dull.
At least that’s how it feels to me. After we finish our food, we stop by the supermarket to load up on snacks.
During dinner, we made a list of movies that we want the other person to watch and are planning to watch one of each of our choices tonight when we get back home.
The carpark is fully packed out. Two girls sit beside each other on the bench out the front of the supermarket and each of them holds a copy of my book. The girl on the left is reading book one, the one on the right is midway through book two.
‘Holy shit,’ Zayden exclaims, doing a double-take as he walks past, obviously recognising the covers. I’ve seen him bring up my accounts more than once, still in disbelief that I’m ‘so famous’, or so he says. ‘Are they your books?’
I nod. It still feels surreal that the books I wrote are out in the world.
People in my own town, people in my class, are reading them.
Yet no one has a clue that I’m the person behind the words.
Each time I walk into a bookstore and see a section dedicated to me underneath ‘bestsellers’, I honestly need to pinch myself.
‘That is so fucking cool,’ Zayden shakes his head. ‘You literally wrote that.’
‘Yeah,’ I reply, grinning at him.
‘What the hell?’ Zayden mutters as we step into the supermarket. There are people everywhere and the shelves are almost bare. I slowly blink, taking in the lack of essential food and toilet paper. ‘Is the world ending and we aren’t aware?’
‘People are panicking about the cyclone,’ a man replies, shaking his head, looking less than impressed about the bare aisles. ‘They’re stocking up on everything in case the power goes out.’
‘What cyclone?’ I frown in confusion. I haven’t been on my phone for the last day or so, since I’ve been with Zayden, but surely I would have heard about a cyclone. I feel as if I’ve been swept into an alternate universe when I’m with Zayden and reality melts away.
‘Cyclone Frederick. It was only meant to be up north but it’s travelling our way and they think it will hit late tomorrow, early morning.’
‘Oh what?’ I ask. ‘Are they predicting it to be bad?’
‘It’s been upgraded to a category three.’
‘That would explain the empty shelves,’ Zayden exhales, eyeing the lack of supplies glaring back at us.
‘They’re saying we could be without power for up to seventy-two hours.’
‘Shit,’ I wince, rubbing the back of my neck.
Digging around for my phone, I pull it out, realising that I’ve had it on Do Not Disturb mode all day and have completely missed all the frenzy on social media.
‘There better be some ice cream left or I’ll be pissed,’ Zayden says suddenly, taking off towards the back of the store like someone just shouted that there’s a fire.
‘Stay safe!’ I say to the man and he wishes me the same. I hurry down the aisles, locating Zayden looming over the fridges, piling packets into his arms. ‘Zayden … how much ice cream are you planning to eat?’
He glances up at me, looking unimpressed. ‘A lot, thank you very much.’
‘And if the power goes out?’ I question, eyeing the tubs.
‘I think you underestimate how much of this I can eat, and how quickly.’
We stock up on any other supplies we may need. Torches, batteries, tinned food and whatever else we can get our hands on. When we get back to the car, I steer my gaze upwards to the sky as it continues to darken.
‘I hope the other store I want to take you to is still open,’ Zayden murmurs.
‘What is it?’ I ask curiously.
‘You’ll see …’
We arrive a few minutes later. I peer around me, not recognising any of the buildings. He smirks, getting out of the car. I follow him cautiously. He leads me to a door and there’s a sign high above but I can’t quite make out what it says. The moment we step inside, I realise where we are.
A damn sex store.
A wicked grin takes over his face as he watches my expression with growing amusement. A lady greets us and I offer her a shy smile in return.
‘We don’t need to go all out. I just thought getting the basics would be a good start. If you’re comfortable to do so.’
My eyes scan the walls and I try not to feel intimidated and overwhelmed. There are a lot of things here that look scary, and also, a bit dangerous if I’m honest.
‘Can I help you?’ the lady asks and I startle, not having heard her come down the aisle.
‘Do you have a vibrator you recommend? Just after a bit of an all-rounder,’ Zayden explains, not looking at all fazed. The lady nods and guides us towards the back wall.
‘Have you used one before?’ she asks me, and I swallow, hoping I don’t look terrified.
‘No, I haven’t.’
‘Okay. Try this one. It’s a customer favourite. It has lots of different settings, so you can start slow and work your way up.’
Every inch of my skin is red, but she doesn’t seem concerned with my embarrassment.
She reaches for a box, handing it to me.
I inspect it, having no clue what I’m looking at, but trusting that she knows what she’s talking about.
Zayden and her fall into conversation and we end up with a vibrator, blindfold, handcuffs and flavoured lube.
I gulp, eyeing the collection with fear, but also, anticipation.
After Zayden pays, he swings the bag off the counter and steers me back to the car. He glances at me, a lopsided smile on his face.
‘We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for or not comfortable to do. I just thought it could be a fun, new experience for you to try. If you want to.’
‘I’m definitely interested. Just a little wary, as I haven’t tried anything like this before.’
A wave of nerves and excitement washes through me at the thought of what being alone in a house with Zayden could lead to.
I was hoping to learn new things and gain some experience by hanging out with him, but I didn’t realise it was going to lead to this, and so soon.
I clamp my thighs together, beginning to feel hot at the thoughts entering my mind.
Zayden’s mouth tilts, as if my thoughts are displayed across my face.
Casually, he reaches over, placing a hand on my thigh as he drives. My eyes are glued to his tanned hand on my leg. The firmness of his hold, the heat of his skin. Suddenly, being in the car with him is beginning to feel claustrophobic, but somehow in a good way.
As my heart rate climbs, I remind myself that this is normal. Well, maybe not the fake dating your best friend’s brother part, but the getting to know someone better and exploring these kinds of things part.