Page 84 of Habits

“You didn’t have to come, you know,” I finally say.

Jeanette shrugs, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “It’s not like I had anything better to do anyway.”

“What about your family?”

“They went to bed, or whatever the hell they’re doing. They won’t even notice I’m gone.”

I nod, observing her. Her cheeks are still flushed, although she’s been inside for a while now. White teeth flash in the dimmed light of the living room as she nibbles at her lower lip. Soft flesh turning red.

“So I suppose you don’t have to go home anytime soon?”

Jeanette shakes her head, silky strands shaking with the motion. “Nope.”

My eyes zero in on that plump lip, tongue darting out to wet my own. “Anything specific you’d like to do?”

“We could probably find some cheesy Christmas movie on TV.” She shrugs, but a small, playful smile tilts her lips.

“Christmas movie, huh?”

Taking the remote off the coffee table, I turn on the TV. Then I relax into the couch, my hands spreading over the back and my fingers brushing against her shoulder.

Gray eyes find mine. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“You wanted to watch a movie, we’ll watch a movie.”

She pointedly looks at my hand thrown over her shoulders before they return to my face. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I shrug, not wanting to make a big deal about it.

When we’re together, we usually mess around. Kissing, touching, fucking … whatever we’re in the mood for. But we’re never just together. We don’t go out on dates or do other coupley shit together, so tonight’s a first.

First dinner.

First movie.

First cuddling session.

When the fuck did I become that guy?

Jeanette stares at me for a while longer. I’m not sure what she’s looking for or if she found it.

“Okay,” she finally says, snuggling into my side as I scroll mindlessly through Netflix waiting for her to point out something she might like.

“That one.”

I press play, not really interested in what’s on TV.

The movie starts, and although my eyes are concentrated on the screen in front of me, I don’t see a thing.

I’m just happy I’m not alone. That there is something,someone, here that’s diverting my attention from all the loneliness that was haunting me only minutes ago. And that it’s her.

Her little body is snuggled into my side, her legs thrown over mine as my hand brushes her arm.

Up and down.

Down and up.

Slow and steady my fingers caress her body.

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