Page 101 of Then Came You

Blade’s downstairs with Alex. Neither has any idea Syd is picking me up in a little less than ten minutes. They both assume I’ll be moping around in my room.

As I make my way towards the main living room, I don’t give a second thought to the fact my jeans are painted on, my delicate lace bra is peeking out, or my boyfriend tee is half unbuttoned, and only one side is tucked in.

I even forget I’m wearing Barbie doll pink lipstick that draws attention to my lips. But I’ll tell you who doesn’t forget and certainly does pay attention to my look: Blade.

His whisky must have gone down the windpipe the wrong way because he starts choking and spluttering everywhere as I draw closer to him.

He looks perplexed, but more than that, he looks shell-shocked to see bits and pieces of the playful me make an appearance.

I told you. I want to live again.

“What? Row? Huh?” he stares as I open the fridge, bend over, and retrieve a bottle of water. When I spin around again, his jaw is slack and hanging open.

“Having fun, baby?” I coo, unscrewing the cap and taking an innocent sip, although there’s nothing innocent about the way I exaggerate the water moving its way down my throat, or how I let a few droplets fall on my chest. I even make a show of puckering my lips when I’m done.

“What? Where?” he stutters some more. Alex is grinning at my antics, seeing the effect I’m having on his big bro.

“You look hot,” he says, earning him a whack to the back of the head, which makes him baulk out in laughter.

“You’re not allowed to say that. You can’t say that,” Blade sputters, before rounding around the couch and coming straight at me. “I don’t understand?”

I shrug innocently at both, extremely pleased that Blade can hardly control himself around me. “I’m going out,” I say simply, checking my phone to see if Syd messaged.

“What? No? Wait, with who?” He folds his arms at his chest, and good lord if those sinewy manly arms covered in the most delicious artwork aren’t enough to make me wet. I’m not immune to how tasty he looks in his casual wear.

“Syd.” This gets Alex’s attention.

“You are?” he asks incredulously.

“Yup. We’re going to hit a few bars, maybe do some dancing, and then hit a sex shop on the way home.” My nonchalant attitude catches both of them off guard, with Blade stumbling forward and Alex’s jaw dropping to the floor.

Blade turns to Alex, pointing at him square in the eyes. “You, don’t say a word,” he says before pivoting back around to me. “Are you okay?” he asks, softening his tone, which infuriates the fuck out of me.

“My God, Blade. Yes. I am fine. Would you just stop treating me like I’m made of porcelain? My sister died. The world didn’t end. I’m here. Alive. And I want to start living!” I snap, shocking him and Alex into silence.

He glares at me so long I see his sea-green eyes go glassy until he blinks.

“I just wanted to give you time. I thought I was doing the right thing,” he says sheepishly, flopping onto the stool opposite me.

“I know you did, baby, but I’m not broken. I’m tired of your coddling and tired of feeling like I’m your roommate.”

“I don’t treat you like you’re my roommate?” he protests indignantly, but even I can tell he’s questioning himself.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, you really have.”

“So, you’re going to a sex shop?” he asks as if nothing I’m saying is making sense or adding up.

“Yup.”

“Explain?” He bangs his head on the cool marble. Alex is now furiously texting, I’m assuming, Syd, updating her on his brother's misery, and trying to get extra information out of her.

“Syd is fun and wild, and we get along well, and I want to feel normal again. Sexy. Wanted. And if I don’t have a fucking orgasm tonight with the help of a dick-shaped object, I’m going to cry.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“One would think, but the last time we had sex or you even remotely touched me intimately was the night of the observatory, which was eight weeks ago! Eight ridiculously long weeks of you petting me over my clothes like I’m a dog.”

Alex snorts before doubling over again. I shoot him a withering stare. “I wouldn’t be so cocky, bro.” My voice drips with sarcasm. “Who do you think came up with the idea to visit a shop, hm?” I’m geeing him up and teasing him. Syd is only going along because I want to go. But my evilness works because now he's scowling at the possibility he hasn’t been satisfying his wife.

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