Chapter 11 #2
The previews start, and I curl closer to Alex. I hate the previews as much as the actual movie because they preview even scarier movies than we’re about to watch. I should resign myself to burying my face into Alex’s chest. I hate being scared. Alex wraps his arm around me tighter.
“Pixie? If you really hate these movies, we can watch something else. I don't want you to be scared,” he whispers.
“No, it’s okay. I just have to get used to the idea. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, just say the word and I’ll turn it off,” Alex assures. “Or we can go into my room.”
A shiver runs through my entire body. Go to his room?
Alone? I’m not ready for that. So, I promise him that I’ll alert him if I can’t take it anymore.
As the movie plays, I find I can’t get close enough to Alex.
This stupid movie’s the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.
It seems to be based on a true story about a couple that thought their house was haunted and they filmed the evidence at night.
I swear I’m going to cry I’m so scared. I bury my face into Alex’s chest so hard I’m sure I’m leaving bruises.
At some point in the film, I actually climbed back into his lap.
Without thinking, I wrap my arms around his neck and snuggle in close.
He must not mind because he hasn’t asked me to move.
He keeps asking me if I want him to stop the film. I just say “No” each time.
Honestly, I have no idea how the movie ended because, by that time, my hands were covering my ears and my face was plastered into his neck.
“You’re shaking. It’s over now, Pixie. It’s okay.”
“I just really hate horror movies.” I breathe slowly, calming my body. As I do, I heat up at when I realize where his hands are. One of them is resting on my lower back and the other one… well, it’s on my bottom. Lifting my head, I look back at the other sofa. “Where are Lily and Hank?”
“Oh, they went to his bedroom about thirty minutes ago.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me? We could have stopped watching.”
“I did tell you, but you were intent on staying on my lap, apparently,” he says, smirking.
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” I attempt to scramble off of him. “Your poor legs, they must be asleep.”
“My lap is good. More than good, actually. Stay put. I like having you so close to me.”
“You do?”
“My poor, little Pixie,” he coos in a sweet voice. “I’m sorry. I’m clueless. I thought you were okay with the movie. I’m sorry I didn't stop it sooner.”
“It’s okay. It really is. I’m just childish about horror movies,” I admit.
As I reassure him, I feel something hard between my legs.
I try to stay completely still because I have no clue what to do.
If I move, I could hurt him. He slides his hand that was on my lower back up to my cheek, then it goes to wrap it around the back of my neck beneath my hair.
He uses his new position to pull my face closer to his.
“I’m going to kiss you now, babe.”
“Okay,” I whisper. Oh shit, he said “babe” again. Why does that word turn my body into molten lava?
He doesn’t start off tentatively when he kisses me this time.
It starts off more passionate than earlier today.
I don’t need for him to tell me to open my mouth.
I do it on my own. I want this kiss as much as he does.
The kiss gets deeper and more frantic, and I feel him get even harder beneath me.
I have the urge to press into him, but I scoot away instead.
He seems to get that I’m hesitating because he wraps his arms around my waist, and as he stands, he picks me up like I’m light.
With my feet still off the ground, Alex slides his hands around to my bottom.
“Wrap your legs around me, Stella.” I do as he asks as he begins to walk toward his bedroom.
“Alex?” He must sense how unsure I am.
“I’m just taking us into my room to lay on the bed. It’ll be more comfortable than that little love seat. I promise you we won’t do anything you aren’t ready for. I just want to hold you and kiss you. Okay?”
I believe him. I really do. “Okay."
Once we’re in his room, he sets me gently on his bed. “Scoot back and lie down. I promised you I’d play you some of LANY’s music.”
While he’s setting up his playlist, I take that opportunity to look around his room. I notice that he’s got the same desk that I do, the same closet, but he’s got a bigger bed. It’s longer and wider than mine. It makes sense since the guy is humongous.
“Here it is. It’s called ‘ILYSB.' It’s a great song.” He walks over to his bed and lies down, sliding his body next to mine before reaching over and pulling me close. He grabs his quilt and throws it over both of us. We lay and listen to the song.
“It’s beautiful,” I say.
It’s a simple song, but you can tell the guy means what he’s singing. It’s filled with heartfelt emotion.
“When I listen to this song, I think of you,” he says.
“You do?” My mouth feels dry, suddenly.
He nods in reply. I remain quiet, so I can hear the words “I Love You So Bad.” That’s what the letters stand for.
Does he love me? That can’t be possible.
We just met. He pulls me closer until I rest my head on his chest. My head is in that perfect spot, the one between his shoulder and his chest. I swear it was made just for me.
We fall asleep like that, listening to his music play softly in the background.
It’s early. I can tell because of the soft light coming from the window.
Not only that, I feel well rested, probably due to the best sleep I’ve ever had.
It takes me a few minutes to realize that I’m not in my own room.
I feel a big arm wrapped around me and hear Alex snoring softly.
It’s game day. I wonder what time he's supposed get to the stadium.
Before I wake him up, I take the opportunity to really look at him.
I haven’t felt comfortable enough to do that before now.
I notice that his facial hair has grown a lot overnight.
He’s on his back, but he’s got his arm beneath me while his other hand rests on his chest. His fingers are long and thick.
I hold my hand close to his to compare them.
His hand is, literally, twice the size of mine.
I feel a chill and look around for a blanket.
We must’ve kicked the quilt off onto the floor during the night.
Heat is radiating off the man, so I snuggle closer.
Next, I look down his long body. The guy is built like a Greek god––or like I imagine a Greek god to look like.
It’s obviously built for competition with the muscle definition on his arm and legs.
Gah! I can’t believe I’m sleeping next to this guy.
My eyes travel down his legs to his huge feet then back up to his shorts.
Something is poking up. Oh dear, I know what it is.
I’ve just never seen one firsthand. I stare at it for a few minutes and nearly choke when it moves. Oh my. I think it’s getting bigger!
“Pixie?”
Crap on a cracker. I hope he doesn’t realize I was staring at his, um, manhood. I pretend to be waking up. “Huh? What?” I say in a faux sleepy voice.
“What are you doing, sweetheart?”
“Me? Nothing. Why do you ask?”
“Well, you seemed pretty interested in my morning wood.” He grins.
Busted.
“What?” I practically choke on the words. “I was, uh, just looking for some water.”
Lies. All lies.
When he offers to go get some, I shake my head. I don’t think he should be walking around the suite sporting that big thing. What if Lily is out there? Well, she’d probably like it, but I wouldn’t want her seeing Alex, um, like that.
He interrupts my internal meltdown by saying, “It’s not uncommon for a guy to wake up a little bit excited. Especially when there’s a beautiful, delicious-smelling woman next to him. It’s only natural.”
“Okay, well… I really wouldn’t know.”
“Why is that? Didn’t douchebag ever wake up like this?” He nods down at his shorts.
“Well, I never slept with Bradley. We didn’t sleep together, I mean. Oh, shoot. We never slept in the same bed together. We didn’t sleep, sleep together either.” Crud, I think I’m making it worse.
“Are you telling me that you didn’t have sex with Bradley? Weren’t you together for over a year?”
I’m not sure I like his tone much. “Yeah, so, what’s your point?” I question defensively.
“My point? My point is that he had the prettiest woman on the planet for a year and he didn’t do anything with you? Ever?”
“I guess not. I’ve, uh, never, uh… you know.”
“You’re a virgin, Pixie? Is that what you’re trying to say?” Alex says this rather angrily.
“Yes?” I attempt to scamper out of bed. This is so humiliating.
I just admitted to a guy I barely know that I’m a virgin, and he seems to be pissed about it.
I feel those frigging tears coming back.
I swear, I’ve cried more in the last few days than I have in my entire life.
College is stressful. Guys are stressful.
Evil roommates are stressful. I honestly don’t know how much more I can take.
“Hang on, hang on, Stella.” He grabs me before I can roll over him to escape. I’m now lying directly on top of him. His arms are wrapped around me so snuggly that I can’t move any further.
“Don’t be upset. I didn’t mean to sound like a dick. I just can’t believe what an idiot that guy is. He’s an even bigger dumbass than I gave him credit for.”
“I don’t know what you mean. Why are you surprised that I’m a virgin? Have you looked at me?” I sniffle, doing my best to keep the tears at bay.
“Yes, I have looked at you, and I want to see more. Honestly, I’m fucking ecstatic he didn’t touch you. Stella, I’m really glad because that makes me hope that I will get to be the guy that shares your first time with you, Pix.”