Page 69 of Without Bound
“Sooo,” Vivian diverts. “Ana. Any boys on campus catch your eye?”
“Oh. Uh,” I my bottom lip and my eyes jut from face to face.
They all look at me very curiously. Except Cami. She brings her fingers to her mouth and starts chewing on her nails, like she’s trying to hold back a secret. The pit of my stomach turns sour and I know she knows.
“There’s a few guys here and there, but none are really catching my attention.”
“Didn’t you leave with Phoenix’s teammate Cole last weekend?” Vivian’s eyebrows dance on her forehead, disappearing and reappearing from underneath her mask.
“Yeah, but I just dropped him off. I think he’ll be a good friend, but I don’t know that there is anything there,” I lie.
There could’ve been a lot there. But in order for that to happen, I would have to put Bishop out of my head and that is just not possible.
We carry on with talking and laughing until yawns start rippling from our mouths. We decide to call it a night and we all break off into our beds.
It isn’t long before I hear snoring coming from close by. I prop up on my elbows and let my eyes adjust to the dark, searching for the grizzly bear who has found its way into our girls' den. I don’t find a bear, but I do see Vivian with her mouth hanging wide open and an ungodly sound spilling from it. The other ladies must be well acquainted with her chainsawing because they don’t flinch. I, on the other hand, can’t seem to block out the sound.
I carefully crawl out of my blankets and move on my hands and knees and make my way over to where I know my phone sits plugged into the wall. I bring the screen to life and immediately lower the brightness. I type out a text then click the silent button on my phone, waiting for a response.
??: Shouldn’t you be asleep?
I smile wide when I see the symbol I have changed his initial to, thankful he’s still awake.
Me: I should, but Vivian is sawing logs. Meet me in the kitchen.
??: I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Me: Pleeeeeeasee?
The dots dance on and off and finally get the reply I’m wanting.
I do a little happy dance and crawl my way to the door. I carefully turn the knob and open it just enough for me to squeeze through the crack, then close it just as quietly.
I stand and follow the faint lights that are randomly lit in the house until I reach the kitchen. My eyes search for Bishop but it seems I’ve made it down before him. I step further into the space when I feel a hand cover my mouth and a large arm wrap me up from behind.
“Shh. Just me, baby girl.” I spin around to find Bishop looking down at me, shrouded by darkness. “Come this way.”
We tiptoe through the kitchen and to a closed door that I know is the laundry room. I move to turn on the light but Bishop stops me.
“No. Leave it off.” I nod and he picks me up and sets me down on the long counter. “Hi,” he whispers.
“Hi.” My fingers scratch at his scruffy beard. “How’s the sleepover going?”
“About as well as yours. Nix sounds like he’s blowing a horn. No wonder he doesn’t notice Viv’s snoring.” I chuckle and he holds a finger over my lips. “We have to be quiet. I don’t want someone to wake up.”
I purse my lips at him. “Big guy, the door is closed and the rooms aren’t even close. Plus, with Viv and Uncle Nix competing to see who’s the loudest, I doubt anyone would hear if a marching band came through.”
He shrugs as if to saytrue, and I scoot to the edge of the counter, wrapping my arms and legs around him.
“Plus, I can think of a few things we can do that don’t require talking,” I tell him.
“Oh yeah? What’s that, my little butterfly?”
I lean in and softly kiss his lips. He slides his hands from my back to my hair, and parts his lips, letting me in. Our tongues twist and I can taste the mintyness of his toothpaste.
I feel myself grow damp between my legs and take one of his hands in mine, and shove them down my shorts.
“Fuuuck, Anais.” He rubs slow circles over my clit before plunging two thick fingers inside of me.
