You walk home, trying to get your thoughts in order.
How could you be so stupid? You scolded yourself. Why did you let him kiss you? Or... Did you kiss him? You huff because you had no idea. You didn't know how it happened and you didn't care.
Because it won't happen again. You told yourself. You resolved to text Tom when you got home to let him know you're safe, then keep your distance for the next few days. If he tried to bring it up, you'd change the subject. It would be easy, right?
In a few days he'll forget all about this. He's a guy.
You ran up the front steps to your apartment and fiddled with the keys in your hands. Or was a huge mistake to walk because it was so freezing out. But what choice did you have?
"Come on, you fucker!" you say in annoyance.
"Let me help you," a voice calls.
You turn around to see Tom sitting in the car he dropped you off in. His brow is creased as he ignores your silence and climbs out of the car. He says something to the driver, then walks toward you. As Tom comes closer, you see the car pull away from the curb and down the street.
"Why did you send him -"
You're interrupted by Tom snatching the keys from your hands. He picks your front door key out without much searching and inserts it into the hole.
"Come on," he murmurs angrily. "We need to talk."
You shrank down like a child before remembering who the fuck you are. He couldn't just come here & demand to come into your place, force you to have a conversation you aren't ready for. You told yourself that you're a grown ass woman before straightening.
"Tom, I can't do this right now," you say firmly. "And you can't tell me what to do, so please -"
"I'm not asking, (Y\N)," Tom grabs you by the elbow and pulls you through the threshold.
You gasp and yank your arm out of grip, turning to face him. You don't step back out because you're still freezing.
You stick your finger in his face. "Don't touch me." you demand.
He glowers at you. He takes a deep breath in but his face remains cold when he whispers, "I need to speak with you." Through clenched teeth.
Tom rarely ever fought with you, and he didn't argue much either. He usually respected when you need space. Even if you're being unreasonable, Tom just doesn't practice tough love.
"I said I can't right now." You remain firm.
Your face is inches from his when you realize you're still pointing a finger in his face. You can feel his heavy breaths against your skin, you can tell he's trying not to give in to his anger. When he pauses and breaths so quietly but furiously, he's livid, barely controlling his mouth from saying something he'll regret.
"I'll call you a car," you snap.
He reaches up and throws your hand away from him, his hand tightly gripping your wrists.
"Let go!" you exclaim.
"Listen to me -"
You swing your hand up and slap him across the cheek.
Tom immediately releases your hand, touching his cheek and looking at you with burning eyes.
Reality hits you, And you realize that you're acting petulant. You've never hit anyone, least of all your best friend. You open your mouth to apologize, but Tom is quicker.
He glares at you still when he moved toward you and covers your lips with his. You feel his hands in your hair, and before you comprehend what's happening, you're reaching for his body, too. Your hear His sharp intake of breath when you kiss him back, returning his push against your body. You knew you shouldn't do it, And you were terrified of what would happen when your lips disconnected, but you couldn't stop.
He just tasted so sweet, and his lips were soft despite the heat his body presented. The forceful rush of his mouth didn't turn you off like it did with other guys. His rough hands in your hair, then travelling down your back, made you want to feel his skin against yours. Being held by Tom that way made you feel like you were floating, and if you pulled away now, you'd fall to the ground.
Tom's rush slowed And his hands moved to your cheeks as he steadily released your lips. His warm breath still fell on your bottom lip as you both stood frozen. You kept your eyes closed for a few seconds, half drunk by the kiss and slightly afraid to look into his eyes.
You could never lie to him when he looked into your eyes.
"That's not all I want to say," he whispers.
You open your eyes And notice his again. How big they got when he was concerned or frightened or nervous, how big they were now. You wished you could put his mind at ease with the right words, but you didn't have them.
"I'm scared." you confess quietly.
You lower your gaze to the floor.
You hear him breathe a sigh of relief. "Me, too, love."
TO BE CONTINUED...
