Trouble

7

"Why do you hide your body in those shitty clothes all the time?"

I blinked, my throat going dry. "My clothes aren't shitty." Frowning I smoothed over the shirt.

Toms eyes widened a little, "oh no, they're not.. I just mean, never mind." He flashed me a sheepish smile, ending his sentence before he offended me more.

"I'm not purposely hiding anything. I just like to be comfortable."

Tom nodded, standing and stepping in front of me. "I get it. You ready?" He extended his arm out for me.
I was throughly taken aback, I don't know this version of him.

For the most part today he has been totally nice, flirty, he called my clothes shitty.. but still there was nice intent there with the rest of the sentence.

Oh my god.

He's totally playing me!

That has to be it. Why else would he be going above, and beyond to be sweet, tell me he wants to hang out, and say that I'll be with him at the party.
I'm not going to say anything, at least not yet. I'll see how far he takes this; I could always be wrong. I hope that I am honestly.

I like him, I do.

As much as I don't want to admit that fact, it rages inside of me every time I catch a glimpse of him, see his lips curve as he smiles, feel the vibration of his laugh when he sits next to me.

I can't help it! Who could?

There's something so utterly magnetizing about Tom. I have to remind myself that probably hundreds of other women have fallen for the same trap I have, and I don't want to lose my virginity to someone who would be willing to throw me out the room the second the deed is done. I deserve better than that, no matter how much I like him.

Reluctantly I laced my arm through Toms. He bent his elbow pulling me closer to his side as we walked out, causing a warmth to pool in my belly. Okay.. maybe I could at least enjoy this while it lasts.

—

Since the moment we left the dorm Tom has been touching me non stop. Whether it was a hand on mine in the car, his arm over my shoulder as he lead me in the house, his fingers laced through mine as he brought me to the kitchen to get me a drink, or now possessively holding my side while I sit next to him on the couch.

I won't lie I am relishing in this. It feels good to feel wanted.. maybe not in that way, I'm not sure. I've just never felt this way about anyone before, and the drumming of my heart against its cage is pushing away any thought in my brain that tells me to run from the sweet touches from Tom.

Natalie, and Bill sat on the couch across from us as people moved all around us in the house, drinking, smoking, dancing.
From the moment I walked in the door with Tom, Natalie gave me a hesitant look, as if she was asking 'you sure about this?'.
Still now, she's staring at me from the other side of the living room, glancing at Toms grip on my hip as he rubs small circles on my side with his thumb.

I was taking my time on the first drink Tom gave me, another fruity cocktail similar to the one I had just about a week ago.
This time there wasn't as much of a burn, and I could already feel the warmth of the liquor coursing through my veins, flushing in my cheeks.
I leaned into Tom, resting my head on his shoulder, smiling as I breathed in his scent; Musky cologne, and a faint hint of cigarettes.

"Can I borrow you for a minute?" I didn't even notice Natalie leaving Bills side. She stood in front of Tom and I, her arm extended out to me.

"Oh.. sure" I smiled, taking her hand. Tom reluctantly loosed his grip on my body, wordless as I got up and followed her into the kitchen.