Page 6 of Just a Number

My brows raise when the first book I pull out has a half-naked man on the front. I tilt the book towards the light from the lamp to read the description on the back and let loose a chuckle as I realise that Mel likes dirty books. I browse a few before taking one to have a flick through.

I lay on the couch, rearranging the pillows underneath my head. It’s insane how quickly I’m engrossed in the book. I used to enjoy reading as a kid, but it fell away in my teenage years when gaming took over. But I could get into this. My cock even twitches with interest as I read a scene with a woman being bent over and fucked while the guy lets loose a whole lot of dirty talk.Is this what Mel likes?I check the time on my phone and reluctantly tuck the book under the cushion when I see how late it is.

I wake much later and it’s pitch black. Despite not having a blanket or bedding, I’m roasting hot and can hear the faraway sound of a radiator gurgling somewhere. The central heating must have kicked on and warmed me up. I drag the t-shirt over my head, leaving me in just my boxers before rolling over and falling back asleep.

I’m aware of a loud squeak coming from the region of the door. Not a scream and not quite a shriek, but enough noise to have me rolling over and blearily opening my eyes to peer in the direction of the sound.

Mel is standing there, her hand covering her mouth and eyes wide with surprise. She’s wearing sleep shorts and a little strappy vest top and it pleases me to see her nipples making points against the fabric. I want nothing more than to reach out and tweak them.

“Alex.” She finds her voice finally. “I didn’t know you were here.” She crosses her arms across her chest and I berate myself for staring too long.

“Zack said I could stay on the couch. Just let me get dressed and I’ll get out of your hair.” I sit up, placing my forearms on my knees to disguise the morning wood that’s made an appearance.

“You don’t have any bedding.”

“I just used some couch cushions. Hope that’s okay.” My voice comes out more gravelly than usual and I try to clear my throat, but it comes out sounding like a growl.

“There’s a spare bedroom upstairs with a bed fully made. Why didn’t Zack put you in there?” Her brows come together in what looks like bafflement.

I shrug. “I dunno, but I was fine on the couch. Just got warm when the heating kicked in.” I look across to my pile of clothes, wondering if I should get up and get dressed, but my cock is still standing to attention. It’s not an unusual thing to happen in the mornings, but it’s definitely been exacerbated by Mel’s nipples and breasts clearly on display in her strappy top. I just need to distract myself for a moment so I can get it to go down, and then I can pull on my clothes and get out of here.

“Ah yeah, I just altered the heating settings with the change in weather, but I think the temperature is set too high. I’ll… uh… go turn it down.” She looks flustered, and it’s kinda cute. I watch as she spins on the spot and can’t help but admire the swell of her arse cheeks sitting pretty in her shorts as she leaves the room.

I use the opportunity to reach over to grab my jeans and pull them on. I half button them and then grab the book I’d been reading last night, snapping a quick photo so I remember who it’s by before tucking it back on the shelf.Might have to download that and finish it later. Or maybe Mel would loan it to me.

“It’s okay. I’ll head out. Don’t change it on my account,” I call after her. I see her in the kitchen with a look of amazement on her face.

“Did Zack tidy?” she asks, sounding shocked.

“Er, that was me. I wasn’t sure where to put the recycling but I'm happy to do it now. And I can take the pizza boxes out to the rubbish if you let me know where it is.” Her mouth gapes as she stares at me.

“You don’t need to do that,” she whispers.

“No worries. I tidy up after myself at home. Was surprised none of the other guys did it, to be honest.” I frown.

“Ahh, I think Zack’s used to me doing it over the years and his mates just followed his lead. I probably dug that hole for myself,” she says with a grimace. “You want some breakfast?” She’s fiddling with the fancy-looking coffee machine in the corner.

“I don’t want to be any bother.”

“It’s no bother. Do you drink coffee?” She has a cup under there now and the divine aroma wafts towards me.

“I’m fairly certain I need coffee to survive,” I tell her and her chuckle, when it comes, is like a reward. I want to keep making her laugh—it lights up her whole face.

“Coffee coming right up.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Here, you have this one, and I’ll make myself another.” She holds out the cup she’s just filled, and I take a couple of strides closer to her. I forgot the size difference until now and there’s a perverse kind of pleasure when she has to lift her chin to look up at me. My fingers brush hers as I take the cup, and her throat bobs with a swallow.

“Thanks, Mel,” I say quietly as I tilt my lips in a smile. She stands and stares at me and I make no effort to step back, choosing to relish in the way she watches me. I take a swig of coffee and sigh with pleasure. “So good.”

“Mmm,” she agrees. There’s a stray wave of hair across her forehead and I lift my hand to brush it away. She flinches and takes a step back.

“I was just going to brush your hair away from your face.” Dissatisfaction floods me when she does it herself. Her blush is back, and she’s struggling to look me in the eye.

“I’ll start breakfast once I’ve had some coffee. You want some?”

“Some what?” I ask, hoping against all odds that it’s something dirty.

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