CHAPTER 2
1094 Words
AMY
I headed to the restroom to touch up my makeup, but my mind was stuck on Aaron. Just thinking about him made heat curl in my stomach. I let out a shaky breath and reached for my lip gloss—then froze.
Through the mirror, I saw Aaron step into the ladies' room like he owned the place. He locked the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the silence. My heart jumped into my throat.
“What… what are you doing here?” I turned around slowly, my back hitting the sink.
He didn’t answer right away. Hands in his pockets, his smirk deepened, eyes dark and unreadable.
“Have you thought about what I told you?” he asked, stepping forward until I had nowhere else to go.
My breath hitched when he leaned in, not touching me at first, just letting his presence swallow me whole. Then, one hand slid around my waist, the other trailing slowly up my torso, pausing at the hem of my shirt.
“Aaron…” I whispered, not quite stopping him.
His fingers brushed beneath the fabric, rising to cup my breast gently, almost teasingly. My knees weakened at his touch. I hated how easily my body responded to him.
“You’re shaking,” he murmured, his voice low and smug. “Don’t tell me this doesn’t mean anything.”
“I… I—” My voice betrayed me with a soft moan instead of words.
He let out a quiet chuckle, the kind that made my skin crawl in a good and bad way.
“Just what I thought,” he said, withdrawing his hand and stepping back like he’d just won a bet. “Admit it, Amy. You like me.”
I stared at him, stunned.
Wait—was that all this was? A power play?
My cheeks flamed with anger and humiliation. “So you came in here just to prove a point?”
He shrugged casually, lips curving. “Yep. And I made it.”
“Aaron...”
“See you tomorrow, Amy,” he said, throwing a mocking glance over his shoulder before leaving me alone with my reflection.
I stared at myself in the mirror, fists clenched. I wasn’t angry at him, and was furious at myself. How did I let him get under my skin so easily?
I grabbed my bag and left without a second thought. I needed space. I needed to clear my head. Most of all, I needed to get away from Aaron.
I zipped my purse and left the school mad.
The cab dropped me off in front of our house, and the first sight that greeted me was Ethan, the janitor’s son, out front doing something I didn’t pay attention to. What caught my eye more was the silver sedan parked in the driveway.
Mom’s car.
She should’ve been at work.
I stepped inside to find her humming while dabbing powder on her face. That alone was enough to raise a red flag.
“You’re back,” she said, glancing at me with a radiant smile I hadn’t seen in ages.
“Uh, wow,” I blinked. “Care to tell me why you're dressed like you’re about to seduce a millionaire?”
She laughed, brushing more powder across her cheekbones. “Is that how you greet your mother? No hug?”
I blinked again. “Okay. Who are you and what have you done with my real mom?”
“People can change, Amy.” She laughed harder this time.
Sure, but not my mother. I rolled my eyes and headed toward the stairs.
“Oh, and Amy,” she called out, “I’m going on a date. I’ll be back late.”
I stopped mid-step and looked at her, theatrically wide-eyed. “Date?”
“Yes, a real one. No sneaking around or strings attached. And no, I’m not telling you who it is. Not yet.” She winked. “Also, Ethan’s helping his dad out today. Be nice, in case he needs anything.”
Her words faded as she walked out the door. I stood there for a second, surprised… but oddly happy for her. Maybe Rebecca was right—maybe we both needed to get laid.
The door creaked open again. I turned toward the sound.
Ethan walked in shirtless, golden light from the afternoon sun, casting a halo around his body. His abs glistened with sweat, every muscle perfectly defined. A bead of sweat slid down his chest, disappearing beneath the waistband of his pants.
I swallowed hard. Why did my mouth suddenly feel dry?
“Didn’t know you were in here,” he said, catching me staring.
“Ye—Yeah. Me neither,” I stammered, gripping the water bottle in my hand a little too tightly.
“You need help with that?” he nodded at it.
“Oh… yeah,” I said, already regretting the lie. But he took it from me and twisted the cap off effortlessly.
“Here,” he said, handing it back.
Our fingers touched—just briefly—but it sent a jolt down my spine.
Maybe I was too pent-up.
I climbed the stairs to my room, leaving the door cracked open, just enough to be noticed. I peeled off my school dress, took a warm bath, and wrapped a towel around myself. Then I sat at my dressing table and began applying lotion, slowly.
Sure enough, the door creaked open again.
“I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have—” Ethan started, lingering at the doorway.
“It's okay,” I said smoothly, meeting his gaze in the mirror. “What’s up?”
“I just came to say I’m heading out.”
“Actually…” I turned around, holding up a small bottle of oil. “Could you help me with something before you go?”
He hesitated. “I don’t know, Amy…”
“Please?” I pouted, fluttering my lashes.
He caved with a quiet sigh and stepped inside. I handed him the bottle. He poured some into his hands and placed them carefully on my back, rubbing the oil in with slow, tentative motions.
“Lower,” I said softly. “And a little closer…”
His hands glided down and up again, brushing the edges of my towel. I could feel the heat rising between us. His fingers hovered near my side, trembling slightly.
Then, without a word, I stood up, and the towel slipped from my body, pooling at my feet.
- Writer
