— R A E —

We lay there for a while longer, my head perched in the crook of Ajax's shoulder. We had slipped down a bit, getting comfier over the past hour, and I now rest with my back against half his chest. He gave up holding his head in his hand, his arm now draped lazily over my shoulder. I can feel him steadily breathing under me, and the thump thump of his heart beating.

We continue to peacefully watch the movie until I hear loud whispers from the other bed.

Mason and Kat had quieted down a bit and were mostly keeping their hands to themselves for the past few minutes, but after the not-so-quiet whispers Kat sits upright and looks over at Ajax and me.

"I've just had a brilliant idea!" She announces. "I'm staying the night here since it's already sooo late and I'm already sooo comfortable; it just doesn't make sense to drive home now. But seeing as we drove here in my car, that means Rae needs a place to stay too... and so, Rae, you get to stay in Ajax's room! Problem solved!"

The sly little bitch.

"Uh, excuse me?" I ask, "Didn't you say we would leave after the movie? I don't care if you want to stay, but don't drag me into it, and that's not fair to Ajax either! You can't just volunteer his room to me."

"I don't have a second bed like you do in here," Ajax points out, "just my one twin bed—"

"Trust me, Rae, I'm doing you a favor. I know you probably hate me right now and think I'm a horrible friend, but you'll thank me later. You don't want to miss out on a chance for that." She looks at Ajax pointedly, her eyes traveling up and down.

Mason finally chimes in, "Trust me, he could use someone to warm his bed. It's been cold and lonely for far too long." And then, so quietly I almost miss it, "Although I'm sure his hand's been getting plenty of action."

Ajax freezes, and I glance to him, hoping he'll offer me some support on the issue. His ears are bright red, but I commend him for not otherwise reacting. He just shakes his head unsure of what to say.

Before I can even say anything, Kat continues, "Look, it's not like I'm forcing you to do the dirty... you just have to share a bed for the night. You're both adults and a little cuddling in a small bed never hurt anyone."

Ajax lets out a deep sigh, "Honestly, I don't really mind" he starts, and I jerk my gaze to him in question, "don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to pressure you into sharing my bed... but, if she insists on staying, then it doesn't seem like you have too many other options. It doesn't really bother me so I'm fine with it if you are. I hate to admit Kat's right, but it's not the end of the world. You seem like your fine sitting here with me in this bed, would it really be so different?"

I'm still looking at him and he gives me a little shrug for emphasis. I definitely didn't plan on sharing a bed with anyone tonight, especially some sexy-ass firefighter that I'm just starting to get to know... but if I'm honest, I think Ajax is right. My options are limited: I don't think I have any chance of changing Kat's mind, and there's no way in hell I'm sleeping in the car or driving all the way home even if I did manage to find the keys. We've been sitting here in bed together for almost 2 hours, most of which has been spent with me leaning against his arm or chest comfortably. Sitting and watching a movie is a bit different than sleeping, but I guess there's no harm.

And hey, I'm a grown-ass woman, I'm allowed to have sleepovers with men if I decide to! Who doesn't enjoy cuddling? Even if it is with a handsome guy like Ajax... especially if it's with a handsome guy like Ajax.

"Alright," I decide. "As long as you're totally ok with it."

Ajax looks a bit surprised at my decision, but nods anyway. "Yeah, doesn't bother me a bit."

"Cool, well thanks then, I appreciate the offer."

"We can head back over whenever you're ready, I'm assuming you want to finish the movie?"

"You guessed right," I nod and relax back against him again.

The rest of the movie flies by and when it finishes I say my goodnights to Mason and Kat but they're already intensely interested in each other again and probably didn't even notice. So I peel myself off the hard warmth of Ajax's chest and we head back to his room next door.

Now that we are alone in his room again I'm starting to feel the awkward weight of the situation. I'm spending the night with a guy I just met a few hours ago.

I haven't done anything more than talking to a guy in maybe about 6 months now... in my experience men tend to only be interested in having sex and leaving emotion at the door. And they can be fucking pushy as hell.

No means no. If I don't seem interested leave it alone.

I have needs and wants, same as any other human, and I don't dislike sex in any way... but I absolutely hate being pressured into it. And I don't get the same satisfaction from fucking a guy I just met as I do with someone I have a genuine connection with.

So generally, I just avoid it altogether. It never made my mom happy, as much as she tried. If anything it just made her more depressed... so I've learned from her mistakes. No men unless I'm 100% certain.

But it is so, so hard when your brain is telling you one thing and your body another. In my current case, my brain is ice cold and my body is downright burning just from the thought of sharing a bed, let alone going further than that.

Even though I am a bit anxious, it's not entirely in a negative way; I'm a little giddy too. I mean, the worst that could happen is that it's awkward as hell, but I actually feel really comfortable around Ajax. Even though he can be a tease, I know it's just that. He doesn't really seem to be pushy at all, in fact, quite the opposite: he's been consciously putting me at ease all evening and hasn't really taken his taunts too far which I really appreciate.

Also, I'm feeling kind of optimistic after everything that's happened tonight. Maybe this has actually been a good opportunity for me— to step out of my shell, to relax a bit, to boost my confidence... I'm feeling brave.

And maybe it's that extra boost that entices me to ask, "Any chance I could borrow a shirt to sleep in?"

He turns to me with raised brows.

I quickly explain, "I didn't exactly bring pajamas, and there's no way in hell I'm sleeping in my tight jeans."

"Right," he laughs, pulling a shirt off a hanger and handing it to me. "This should work, do you want anything else...?"

He eyes my legs as he finishes his question, and I understand the meaning implied- 'Do you want pants? Or are you planning on wearing just my shirt to bed?'

I relish seeing him flustered, so I respond, "Nope, I'll be fine," as I begin to unbutton my jeans.

He merely stands there, watching with a coy smirk— which does wonders on his handsome face. And on my body.

I pause and stare back, giving a little twirl of my finger as my only response.

He crosses his arms over his chest as he turns and mumbles, "I don't see why I should have to turn around, you've already seen me almost naked."

"Oh shush, respect a woman's privacy won't you."

I slip off my pants and pull my shirt off over my head only to replace it with his. It's bigger than I thought and hangs about halfway down my thighs. Comfy, soft, and well-worn.

A last-second decision, I reach under the shirt I now wear, unhook my bra and pull it off. I smile inwardly at my brashness. To hell with self-consciousness. I can't imagine he's never seen boobs before and I'd much rather be comfortable.

"Alright."

"Ugh, finally," he jokes and turns around. "Take forever why don't cha?"

His eyes again stray to my now bare legs, stopping at the place where his shirt ends on my thighs. They continue down my legs to my socked feet. Then up they travel, taking in the full view of me standing in his shirt.

I put my hand on my hip, now self-conscious, and I'm about to yell at him for staring at me but I notice where his eyes have now paused.

His gaze finally reached my breasts, which are obviously no longer restricted by my bra, my nipples peaked against the shirt. Surprisingly, his assessment doesn't linger long before shooting straight to my own eyes.

I don't shrink from his narrow gaze. I stare right back, daring him.

"You're a heathen," he deadpans. But I catch the flicker of interest as his eyes slowly peel away. He turns from me to flick his bedside light on and the overhead off.

Well, if he wasn't into me before, it seems I've caught his attention now. A small thrill shoots me. No going back.

"Do you want to put something on tv, or are you ready for bed now? I don't really care either way, sometimes I just turn it on to help me fall asleep." He points to the remote on his bedside table as he rearranges the pillows.

"Yeah," I respond, taking the remote and turning on the tv. "I wouldn't mind watching something else. It helps me fall asleep too."

He finally crawls into bed, taking the wall side, and gets under the covers. Climbing in after him I pull the covers over my legs and try to ignore his presence next to me.

I scroll through Netflix until I find something random to put on, not even really caring. I turn the light off and finally scoot down to lay on my side towards the tv.

Between the bed, blankets, and pillow I'm practically wrapped in a cocoon of softness. Although we're mindful of each other's space, barely even touching, I'm still aware of the male mass behind me. His delicious scent hangs thick around me now. I breathe in deeply, calmly, even though my heart is beating like crazy.

Ajax shifts to get comfortable before settling. I close my eyes, just listening to the tv and the sound of his breathing. I feel the heat coming off his body next to mine and take in his scent. Eventually, my heartbeat slows to normal, my breath becoming deep and slow.