Page 40 of Heat Transfer
My body obeyed. I leaned forward, and he met me midway and planted a soft, slow kiss on my lips.
When he pulled back, his eyes met mine. “You’re staying tonight.”
His tone brooked no arguments, and I wouldn’t put them up, even if I should be safeguarding my heart.
Although it was too late for me.
I’d already fallen.
Chapter fourteen
Felix
Iitched to get out of the city.
Aria was supposed to drop by to grab the last of her shit from my place though, so I had to wait. Marco had texted me to come to his game night tonight, and I’d agreed before Cor had asked what I was up to. The idea of passing up a chance to spend time with my latest obsession was preposterous, so I invited him to game night.
My brother could deal with my…whatever Cor and I were. He didn’t feel fake anymore, but I also didn’t want to pull a Luke on him and rush in hot and heavy. A pattern I’d noticed with Cor was that he needed time to adjust, and he’d stated his shock multiple times over the quick way I’d accepted my bisexuality. Was I excited about my discovery? Fuck yeah. I’d started to see things from my past in a different light, and that was cool as shit. But there was no need to angst. My folks were queer-friendly, mybrother was bi, and I didn’t keep friends in my circle with shitty views.
I checked my phone again as if that would make Aria appear at the door. Skulking next to it like a creep probably wasn’t healthy either, but I wanted to get on the road to Kennett Square. The work traffic would’ve finally cleared up, and the need to be around Cor was stronger than ever.
A knock sounded, and I leaped up from my slouch against the wall.
I opened the door a little too fast, but I didn’t care. Aria stood in the doorway, looking the same as when we broke up, what, a month ago? Her black hair was pulled into an efficient ponytail, her deep-set blue eyes wide and framed by dark lashes. She was a stunner, no two ways about it, but I didn’t feel a spark of attraction. My attention had diverted to Cor. If we hadn’t already been so close, I might’ve been alarmed, but we’d hung out constantly.
“How’re you doing, Fee?” She slipped past me, since I awkwardly stood sentinel by the door.
“Oh, you know, the usual.” I shoved a hand into my back pocket.
Having sexuality revelations. Making out with Cor. Fucking into his tight hole. The usual.
“This my box of stuff?” She pointed to the cardboard box on the couch.
“Yeah,” I said, striding past her to grab it. We’d lived together for a year, but already, we’d become strangers.Thatwas the only thing that made me hesitate when it came to Cor—the idea of our friendship, that closeness dissolving in the blink of a breakup. When I handed the box over, she nodded at my neck.
“Pretty sure you’re up to a bit more than the usual,” she said with a wan grin.
I clapped a hand on my neck. Shit. A flush raced through me. When Cor and I had been making out, he’d sucked a hickey there.
“Who’s the lucky person?” she asked, tilting her head.
“You’re not mad? Upset?” I asked, though truth be told, I wouldn’t be upset if she’d also moved on.
Aria lifted her brow. “We broke up for a reason.”
The other part of her statement slammed in. “Wait…did you know?”
Her lips quirked. “That you’re smitten with Cor? Obviously.”
The realizations tumbled toward me like an avalanche. My brows drew together. “How did you know I was bi if I didn’t?”
“Game recognizes game,” she said. “I’m not mad, because it was clear you had no idea. I know you weren’t cheating on me, but you weren’t present in our relationship. At least, not since you met him. Your focus shifted, even if you didn’t realize it.” Aria plucked the box from my hands, an amused grin on her lips.
I clutched my nape. “Shit. I’m sorry I did that to you.”
Aria shook her head. “Honestly, watching your naïve ass believe it was all just friendship entertained me a bit. At least tell me you’re seeing him now.”
I opened my mouth and shut it again. My ex-girlfriend had been aware of my crush on Cor before I’d been, and that was something that would take time to process. “Uh, we went on a fake date?”