Page 43 of Nothing Without You
“What if it does?”
She shifted uncomfortably.
“I could make you feel so good, Adelaide. It wouldn’t have to mean anything.”
She shook her head, “No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want you, Christian.”
“Your body?—”
“Just stop, okay?” She huffed, “Maybe I’m turned on, but it’s only because it’s physiological. My body’s reaction isn’t my reaction from you, it’s towards your… species.” She was breathless by the end of her little rant, shaking almost.
My jaw clenched.
Biting the remark on my tongue, I turned away. “Don’t be dramatic. I get it.”
No matter what she did, my boner wasn’t going down and we still had—a good twenty minutes—a long fucking ride.
Neither of us said another word, but something shifted.
Peeking at her from the corner of my eye, Adelaide fidgeted with her fingers—breathing in and out at a rapid pace. A rosy hue marked her pale skin, and it took every bit of fucking control to remain put.Species,huh?
For the remainder of the ride, I repeated the plan in my head as a prayer for help and just when my boner would soften—the image of Adelaide’s breasts, uneven breaths, and unfiltered want flashed—and the process of sanity repeated itself.
Suffice to say, it was entirely unsuccessful.
SIXTEEN
TEN YEARS AGO — CHRISTIAN
“What was your first kiss like?”Adelaide asked me underneath the stars. It was the dayEommacame back from the hospital. I really hoped this was the last time she’d have to go back there. Dad invited Eda and Adelaide over for dinner as a celebration. ButEommafell asleep right after dinner, while they were downstairs talking about adult stuff.
Adelaide and I sat on my roof, munching on her favourite BBQ chips and a copious amount of chocolate. She devoured a whole plate of chicken pot pie and still ate like she never had food. She told me she was on her period, but she said that every day.
“Hm,” I leaned back against my forearms. “It was normal.”
“Normal?” She asked incredulously.
“Normal,” I responded.
“You didn’t feel… sparks?”
I shook my head. “It was after gym class. I wassweaty, she was sweaty, she pulled me to the side after everyone went to get changed and kissed me.”
Adelaide gasped, appalled, shocked, absolutelymortified. “She just straight up kissed you? Didn’t even ask?”
Another shake of the head. “She thought I liked her and well, she liked me.”
“Did you?” Her breath hitched and I looked away.
Adelaide was slowly growing into herself. It made it harder and harder to stay on the safe side of ourfriendship.
“I didn’t,” I dropped my forearms. Staring right up at the night sky, I continued. “But she was embarrassed afterwards so I let it slide.”
“That’s one way to get your first kiss, I guess.”
