Page 91 of UNAwere

Maevey

Oh, great. How’s Grumble Bum?

I almost tell her everything. The awkward tension between me and Jude. The heat and longing. The several times we’ve ended up naked, and a little too close. The kiss.

Me

The usual.

Maevey

Maybe you should tell Warner to fire him.

Me

You’re so mean!

Maevey

You might be Queen Bee soon. Assert that dominance.

I blush, remembering how Jude had submitted to me. I quickly dash the thought from my brain, hearing the shower shut off.

Me

Oh, yes. Because I’m the most dominant person you know.

Maevey

You might as well start now.

Me

I’ve gotta go. Love you! I’ll try to call in the next few days.

Maevey

Ok. Love you, too!

Jude comes out, steam billowing behind him and wearing only a towel. I avert my eyes from his chest hair.

‘You’re good to go,’ he says gruffly, and I realise very quickly I’m looking at his chest hair again.

I blink and nod, going through my bags to grab fresh underwear and a T-shirt.

Jeepers. I’m looking at his chest hair again.

I quickly head into the bathroom and get in the shower. The room is humid, heightening my sense of smell, and Jude’s scent is everywhere. I bite down on my tongue, washing my face and rubbing hard at my cheeks.

Get it together.

There’s that niggling feeling at the base of my skull again. In the pit of my stomach. Swirling low and delving between my legs.

Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.

I shut the shower off and distract myself by roughly towelling my skin, brushing my hair out, and getting changed. I clean my teeth and then head back out into the room.

Jude’s back on the uncomfortable wooden chair, typing a message out on his phone. He’s wearing a T-shirt and a pair of track pants now. He raises his hand to run it through his damp hair, and I spy the bracelet I made him, still on his wrist.