| 24 |

~ Lance Astor ~     

Soft snores reach my ears as Banks warms my chest with her gentle breaths. We went for another round before she got exhausted and fell asleep right after we were done.

She did mumble to free Caleb which I wasn't sure what it meant until I tried opening his door and realized it was locked from the outside. Jesus. Did this woman seriously lock her brother inside?

I mean, I guess it was a good idea in case he walked out at the wrong time. There's no way I would've remained sane if Caleb ruined mine and Banks' moment.

After unlocking the door and checking inside to see if Caleb needed freeing from anything else—chains, ropes, or that kind of stuff—I dressed Banks back into her clothes before putting my boxers and my shirt back on, leaving the buttons open. Somehow, I managed to squeeze beside her on the tiny couch and she turned in her sleep to snuggle herself into my chest.

I mindlessly play with her hair, unable to fall asleep. I'm ecstatic as fuck that she opened up to me, and the things that followed right after. Banks does a good job of pretending that she doesn't give a fuck, but deep inside, she cares too much. Way too much.

The reason I'm unable to sleep is because of her words that keep floating in my head, making my blood rush through my veins.

He beat me up. He beat me up. He beat me up.

How does a man ever think of raising a hand on a woman? I don't get it. I seriously don't get it. It's different in a few situations, I admit that, but even if the woman is the biggest bitch, you never raise your hand on her. That's the most basic rule. Men. Don't. Hit. Women.

Banks' words reappear in my mind again and my jaw clenches. Fuck this. I can't fall asleep. Shifting around, I grab my phone from the floor. I move around the couch so that my back is against the pillow and Banks' head lays comfortably on my chest. She murmurs in her sleep and I can't help but place a kiss on her head.

When we're settled, I open my phone and go to my socials. I'm not sure if I'll be able to find anything but that doesn't stop me. After what feels like two hours and going through a billion accounts and usernames, I finally found the one I was looking for.

ben.stewart_.

I scroll through his pictures, observing the fucker's face in every one of them. There are some from his university, some with this blonde girl, some with him sitting alone on top of high walls wearing his hood low over his face and smoking a cigarette. The more I scroll through his feed, the more my disgust for the guy increases. He poses like such a 'pick me, I'm so cool' that it's cringe.

Taking a screenshot of one of his photos, I open the group chat with the guys and send it to them.

Me: If you ever see this guy somewhere, don't hesitate to bash his skull in

I get a reply from Theo immediately. As expected. The guy never sleeps and when he does it's only for a short two hours to recharge his overactive hyper body. I don't know how he survives.

Theo: Oooo I'm getting such mafia vibes!

Theo: Hold on!!

A few seconds later, he sends a voice recording. Keeping the volume on low, I press play. Theo's voice comes through the speakers, low and dramatic, sounding extra throaty and deep.

"Who do we got here, boss? Another fucker to eliminate? I can get the job done with a single bullet. Khsch! Clean through the heart. Hehehe."

Me: Take this seriously

Theo: I am! Who's that guy anyway? Last time I checked, you become a pussy at the thought of violence.

Me: I don't become a "pussy". I just find violence unnecessary

Theo: So why do you want to bash this particular guy's skull?

Me: Can't tell.

It's Banks' secret. She would hate it if anyone from outside knew about her secrets and past. She already got so defensive while telling me.

Xander: I know him

My eyebrows raise.

Me: ???

Xander: Remember the club we went to where you acted like a creep to Banks? I saw him there.

Xander: I'm guessing it's serious since you're telling us to choose violence, so I'll tell you.

Me: Tell me what?

Xander: He did something to Banks at the club. I'm not sure what, but Banks was crying. I tried meddling but she stopped me and then made me promise not to tell you anything.

I pause. The time when I found Xander and Banks together standing out of the washrooms—Banks told me she remembered something. I thought it was about her parents or something. I couldn't think about it too much at that moment because she got drunk and I had to make sure nothing happened to her.

The fucker, Ben, was right there? Shit. How did I miss it?

Either Banks is an expert at hiding things or I'm turning blind.

Theo: HOLD UPPPP! Why do I know NOTHING of this?? Since when do you guys keep secrets from me?

Xander: Since your mouth is too big to ever shut

Theo: HEYYY! I keep secrets! I kept all of your secrets!

Xander: Sure

Me: Sure

Theo: Stop ganging up on me! And who's the fucker who made Imouto cry? I'm definitely bashing his skull in and even going to skin his balls!!

Me: His name is Ben Stewart.

Theo: Where does he live?

Me: No clue. Here's his account.

I attach the fucker's username and send it in the chat.

The next time I see him, I'm going to make sure he never dares to come near my girl ever again.

After chatting a bit with Theo and Xander—Castle always sleeps on time and wakes up on time like the beauty queen he is—I shut off my phone and drop it onto my folded pants on the floor.

Turning my attention back on Banks, I run my fingers through her hair as I admire her. She's so fucking pretty, it hurts my heart to look at her. Thick lashes frame her eyes and her pink lips are parted open, sending a particular thought to my head that I should definitely not be thinking about.

Her leg and arm are draped over my body and that gives me a sort of warm fuzzy feeling. The more I look at her, the more this sense of protectiveness comes over me. I'm surprised I'm not over possessive of her like I thought I would be.

I'm someone who's terrified of losing someone. After Olive's death, I tend to keep people closer to me. Those two weeks that Banks left me, I thought I would actually go mad. It messed up my entire schedule terribly. Now that I have her back in so many ways, I can forget about it.

The sex was amazing as fuck and I would've gone for another round if she didn't fall asleep on me. Maybe next time she can be on top while I see how much control can she handle while I give her all of it. I softly groan as my dick hardens at the thought of her riding me with her breasts bouncing at my face. She'll look so fucking gorgeous.

I adjust myself so that my dick is not poking her. I want another taste of her. I want to sink my hand down her pants and feel her soft flesh as she trembles and moans into my mouth. My thoughts turn even erotic as I think of all that has yet to come in future. With another groan, I scold myself to stop and go to fucking sleep.

Maybe we can have morning sex if I wake up early enough and ask her. The thought immediately puts me to sleep.

●・○・●・○・●

We did not end up having morning sex.

Banks all but shoved me out of her apartment, throwing my pants and jacket in my hands. She hissed at me to leave before Caleb woke up and found me in my almost naked state.

She did apologize. Before slamming the door on my face.

With the world's biggest pout, I slide my clothes back on before walking towards my car. My neck has a cramp from sleeping on the couch but I'm too sad about not having the morning sex to care.

I mean, she did apologize. So it wasn't like she wanted me to get lost. She was just scared of Caleb seeing us and getting the wrong idea. Even though every idea he'd have had would be one hundred percent accurate.    

My pout remains the same as I slide out of my car and walk up the steps to my house. The housekeeper greets me on the way and I nod back before going up to my room. I shower, change clothes, style my hair, then drive towards my friends' restaurant with the same pout.

The unfeeling, cold bastard, Xander, doesn't care about my sadness and shoves a cloth in my hand and tells me to start wiping. I glare at his back before wiping a couple of tables even though it's already clean as fuck.

After that, I sit on the chair and think about all the possible reasons for Banks kicking me out.

I know it's because of Caleb. I know that. But she didn't have to push me out as if I'm some bacteria. She could've stopped for a kiss or maybe just a smile. Forget sex. A smile from her would literally make my entire day.

We didn't even talk properly. What if she goes too deep inside her head and overthinks last night? What if she's having thoughts about leaving me again? What if she's regretting the whole thing?

Should I text her that last night was perfect? Would that ease her mind?

"Do we have enough chicken breasts?" Castle asks, wiping his hands with a hand towel.

His question snaps me out of my thoughts. I look up at him and stare at his chest for a long time.

"You have breasts?" I blink.

"No, you fucker. Where's your head?"

"Over here." I point above my neck.

"Then use it." He scowls.

"Jeez, you don't have to be so rude." I pout again, before returning back to the drink Theo left me.

I can feel three different pairs of eyes burning holes in my body. Soon within a second, all three of my friends are sliding into the seats across and beside me with their own drinks.

"Talk," Castle says. 

"Has a girl ever kicked you out of their house after sex?"

"Girls always beg me for more," Theo says.

Castle furrows his eyebrows. "Banks kicked you out?"

I shrug. "Something like that. We didn't even say good morning. The moment she woke up, she handed me my clothes and shoved me out the door."

"Uh-oh." All three of them chorus.

My shoulders dip. "What?"

Theo winces. "That's a bad sign."

"Really?"

He nods. "If a girl kicks you out, then she's probably regretting the sex."

My heart thumps faster. "Really...?"

He nods, looking sad.

"But everything went so perfectly." I defend.

"That's what you might be thinking. But for her? Maybe it was not so perfect."

My face drops.

Theo pats my back, affectionately. "It's alright, dude. Happens to the best of us."

I slide lower into my chair, trying not to show the sadness on my face.

●・○・●・○・●

~ Banks Woods ~

"It was so good, Kaylee! I'm not even kidding!" I blush like a little high school girl, talking as if I lost my virginity.

It might as well have been like losing my virginity. Everything felt so new and different and amazing. Not a single thing was wrong or missing.

Kaylee jumps excitedly, wearing a huge grin on her face. "What happened after that? Don't leave anything out!"

"Then he carried me to the couch and then he started..." I tell her everything while keeping most of it discreet. I wasn't going to tell her anything at all, too bashful. But then she said something about my face glowing and forced it out of me.

The moment I told her I had sex with Lance, she grabbed both my hands and started jumping while squealing out loud. Her excitement affected me so badly that I went ahead and jumped along with her.

While I do wish we had more time this morning to talk about things or maybe even kiss, I'm glad Lance left quickly. The moment I shut the door, Caleb's opened and he walked out.

He didn't say anything or look at me differently in any way, so I guess he doesn't know anything about what happened last night.

After I tell Kaylee everything, we squeal some more before she hugs me while twirling me around. God, I feel so fucking amazing today. I'm a little sore between my legs but it's the best feeling ever. I'm grinning like an idiot but I can't stop.

"You should take his coffee to his office today!" Kaylee gasps with the idea.

My face instantly pinks at the thought of seeing him. "Are you sure?"

She nods, rapidly. "Yup. He's going to love it! Make his coffee twenty minutes earlier and then go to his office before he leaves to come here."

I hesitate a bit. The thought 'What if he doesn't want to see me at the moment?' crosses my head but I quickly banish it. Nope. No negative thoughts today. Today, I'm a new, happy person who's so falling for her boyfriend without shame.

Excitement courses through my veins as I nod. "Fine! I'll go to him!"

✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Don't you guys just love some dramatic irony?

We're almost done with the book with a few chapters to go! I wasn't supposed to take a whole freaking year since it's so short, but then life happened and I found myself struggling to write one chapter a month.

Words: 2,300

Date of publishing: 29th June 2024