Page 10 of 3rd and 4
I don’t get out much. I’m so lame. I want to kiss him. I’mgoingto kiss him. With that resolved, I turn off the water, dry off and walk back through the locker room in my shower shoes.
I lift my hand to my locker and stop. It’s open. And empty. WHY is it empty? I glance around, my movements jerky and frantic the longer I go without spotting my clothes, or bag, or anything more than this stupid towel wrap to cover myself. Nothing. The empty locker room mocks me as I fight not to cry. I don’t have my phone since it was in my bag. No ID either and I don’t know how I’ll get into my dorm without identification or clothing. I refuse to cry. I’ll figure this out.
Deep breath. Exhale. Deep breath.
I tighten the wrap around my body and peek my head out of the doors. The hallway is empty.
“Hello?”
“Daya!” It’s Addy, he’s waiting for me. Normally, I would smile and swoon at how sweet he is, but I’m too relieved and too scared to focus on that. He’s here, which is great, but he’s also here, which means he’ll see me at my worst, with only a towel to protect me.
“Don’t come any closer!” I shout when I hear his footsteps on the floor. “Can you um…”
“Daya? What’s wrong?” His concern is palpable as it mixes with my own.
“My stuff…is gone.” There’s a long pause.
“What do you mean?” His voice slowly grows louder as he approaches the corner.
“STOP!” I yell, panicking. “Please.” I squeak out in a quieter tone, but no less desperate.
“Ok, Itty Bitty, not another step.” I see his shadow on the opposite wall and strangely, it comforts me a little. I’m not doing this alone.
With a sigh, I explain, “Someone took my bag, my locker is empty. I don’t have my phone, keys, ID, or a change of clothes.”
He growls, and I smile at the protective sound. “I do, let me throw my bag down the hall to you, you can wear mine.”
I frown. “They won’t fit.” I wince at the whine in my tone.
Addy exhales loudly, then tells me through what sounds like gritted teeth, “Daya, now isn’t the time to be concerned with proper fit and fashion.”
“I know that!” I snap, embarrassed to be called out for being ridiculous. “Sorry.”
“Once you’re dressed, we’ll sort it out. I promise.”
I don’t have a choice, and his solution is the best I’ve got right now. “Thank you.” A few seconds later, I’m bending awkwardly, grabbing the straps of his gym bag and dragging it into the locker room. I unzip the main compartment and turn my head to the side. Holy cow, it stinks. Boys smell. I rifle through and find a clean change of clothes, basketball shorts and tee. They are waytoo big, and I have to hold the pants up by hand, but I manage to cover all the important bits. Still wearing my shower shoes, I step into the hallway. “Ok.”
Addy comes around the corner, like a man on a mission. He’s angry, jaw clenched, nostrils flaring, but his eyes soften when he sees me. He runs his gaze up and down my body and grins. “Love seeing you in my clothes.”
I snort. “They are like 10 sizes too big.”
He blinks several times, his brows arching in disbelief. “Did you just call me fat?”
“What? No! You’re tall.”
He rolls his eyes with a muttered, “Uh-huh,” then opens his arms. Clutching the shorts, I rush into his waiting embrace. He hugs me tight, rocking me back and forth, whispering soothing words to me while I cry softly. Something about him, his scent, his strength, I feel safe to give in to tears. “I’m sorry, baby. It’ll be fine. We’ll sort it out and get you squared away. I’m here, I’m not going to leave you alone to deal with this.” Sniffling, I tilt my head back when I’m done crying. He smiles down at me, running his thumbs under my eyes to wipe away the tears. I must look a wreck, but he doesn’t seem to care.
“Will you…will you kiss me?” His eyes flare with something unfamiliar but intoxicating.
“You sure?”
I nod. “This sucks and I want something to make it better.” I know with absolute certainty that being kissed by Elijah Addelsbach is the cure to all that ails me.
He stares at my lips for a few seconds, then says, “As you wish.” Slowly, Addy lowers his head, lightly pressing his lips to mine, and I suck in a breath as something electric travels from mylips to my nipples and straight to my clit. He hums, licking my lips before dipping his tongue into my mouth. I try to follow his lead; but I have no idea what I’m doing. French kissing always seemed weird to me. Who wants to swap spit? I do, I guess. But only with Addy. He softens and pulls back enough to whisper, “Like this…”, sliding his tongue between my lips and stroking my tongue. He guides me until I’m against the wall, his body caging me in, surrounding me, making me feel safe again. “Let’s go find your things.”
I nod, unable to form words, my lips still buzzing from the kiss. He holds my hand and guides me through the complex, my other hand on the shorts. “Brody?” He calls out when we near a security guard near the entrance. A big, imposing man lifts his head and smiles at us until he sees what I’m wearing.
“Addy? What’s going on, man?”
