Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
On cue, my phone starts ringing. It’s like my mom knows when I need to hear from her. “Hey, mom.”
“Hey, honey. I’m missing my girl. How’s school?”
Balancing classes and everything else has been hard, but I don’t want her to worry. “It’s been great, my projects are going well, and all my group members all pull their weight this year.”
“That’s so good to hear. I know it isn’t always the case. Do you need anything? I can get you an appointment with the sound bath healer you like, just to center you and help with some of the stress,” mom offers.
This is one of the ways she shows me she loves me. “I could probably go next week in the afternoon if he’s available.”
“I’ll make the appointment. I can’t wait to see you. I’m sorry our last visit didn’t work out.” I hear the sincerity in her voice.
That’s the thing about my mom, she always tries her best, but it’s hard for her to be a constant in my life when she’s always on the move. I learned long ago the importance of accepting people as they are, though. She loves me the best way she can. “It’s okay, Mom. North was sick and then you had that trip to the mountains, it was outside of your control.”
“Still, I don’t want to be away from you for this long. I can book a flight if you need me sooner than your birthday.”
“It’s okay. I just have a lot on my mind. And you’ll be here soon enough.”
“If you need to talk anything through, I’m always here,” she says.
“I know, Mom. I promise I’m okay.”
“Okay. I love you, honey.”
“Love you, too, Mom. Talk soon?”
“Absolutely. I’ll text you the appointment details.”
I check my mailbox on the way up and find a package. I don’t remember ordering anything, so the contents remain a mystery as I take the elevator to my apartment. Once inside, I flip the safety latch—Rix will go straight to work from Tristan’s in the morning. I drop my keys in the bowl, toe off my shoes, and hang my coat in the closet before I tear open the package and dump the contents on the counter. Inside are three identical scrunchies. They’re the same as the one I left with Hollis the other day, navy blue with a yellow banana print.
I press my fingers to my lips. It’s well after eleven. Hollis is regimented about his sleep and usually doesn’t stay up late, especially since he’s spending a lot of hours on rehab.
I still send him a pic of the scrunchies along with a message:
Aurora
Are these from you?
He responds immediately.
Hollis
Yes. So you have spares in case one goes missing again.
Aurora
You’re up late.
Hollis
So are you. Don’t you have class in the morning?
Aurora
Don’t you have physical therapy?
I startle when my phone rings and nearly fumble it as I answer.
“I know what you sound like and look like when you come, and it’s all I can see and hear when I close my eyes.” His voice is a seductive rasp.
“It’s the same for me,” I admit.
“You’ve been quiet since the other night,” he says.
My conversation with the girls gives me the confidence to be honest. “I felt you needed the space, and I didn’t want you to tell me it can’t happen again.”
His swallow is audible. “It probably shouldn’t.”
“But you can’t stop thinking about it either,” I finish as I cross to my bedroom.
“I really can’t.” He sighs. “Are you in bed?”
“I just got home. I was out with Rix and Hemi, but I’m on my way there. Are you?”
“Yeah. Is Rix at Tristan’s tonight?”
“She is.” I put my phone on speaker and drop it on my bed.
“So you’re all alone.” His voice is gravelly.
I almost suggest he come over and dry fuck on my couch, but it’s too soon. Hollis can’t handle a repeat yet. “Yup, it’s just me.” I lower my voice to a sultry whisper. “No one around to hear me moan.”
He groans. “You can’t say shit like that to me, Princess.”
“If you can’t stand the heat, Hollis, get out of my bedroom.” I pull my shirt over my head. I fully anticipate another chastisement—secretly they’re becoming my favorite—and then him hanging up on me.
“Are you getting undressed?”
“Do you really want to know?” I pop the button on my jeans, but I grab my phone from the bed and hold it close as I drag the zipper down.
“Fuck. You are.” He exhales a harsh breath. “What have you taken off already?”
My nipples tighten. “Just my shirt.”
“You wearing a bra?”
“Yes.”
“Is the bralessness mostly for my benefit, then?”
“And to get a rise out of you.”
“Such a bratty girl.”
“I probably need to be taught a lesson.” I press my fingers to my lips and wait.
“I should come down and spank the naughty right out of you.”