— R A E —

I jerk awake as I feel Ajax reach over me. "Mmm, what time is it? I must've passed out."

"About midnight, you were out for a while, and snoring to high heavens. You should have heard yourself, mouth wide open like-"

"Nuh-uh! I didn't snore did I?"

He just laughs as he uses the remote to turn off the tv.

"I guess you'll never know," he says, still smiling in the faint moonlight. "I'm not really tired yet, I have a hard time falling asleep sometimes, so I thought turning off the tv might help. You were out, I figured you wouldn't mind. I'm sorry if I woke you."

"Oh, it's fine. I'll be out again quick enough... Is it because of me you can't sleep? I know it's probably weird having someone here." I cringe thinking it may be my fault.

"No, not you're fault at all! I really don't mind you being here, it's kind of a nice change of pace actually... I have issues falling asleep pretty regularly. My mind and body just have a hard time turning off and calming down. No biggie. You can go back to sleep, I'll be fine."

"Hmm, alright," I respond, as I close my eyes again. A thought strikes me and I blink my eyes open once more. I used to have trouble falling asleep when I was young and my dad would sit in bed with me and rub my back until I could fall asleep.

"Ajax?" I whisper, turning onto my back.

"Yeah?"

"Do you like having your back scratched? I always found it relaxing when I couldn't sleep as a kid."

"Sure, who doesn't?" He whispers back, turning to lay on his stomach.

I take that as a go ahead, and place my hand on his back, starting in slow circles. His shirt crinkles up beneath my fingers and I keep having to stop and start again.

I think he notices my struggle because he suddenly sits up and tugs his shirt off over his head. "Damn shirt," he mumbles. "I can barely feel a thing through it. And I hate sleeping in shirts anyway, I get too hot. I was trying to be polite with you here, but it's not like you haven't already seen me shirtless, and it doesn't seem like you much care."

I notice him glance down at my chest and I flush with embarrassment, but I just shrug. "Doesn't matter to me."

But it does matter. Because now the moonlight shines faintly on every curve of his torso as he lays back down on his stomach. And now my fingers are grazing his bare skin as I lazily scratch his back.

And because now I can feel all of his soft lines and hard muscle under my fingertips. Slow circles along the long planes of skin, gently brushing down his spine, down, down, as far as I dare to go. Then back up, up, to his shoulder blades, to the nape of his neck. Feeling, exploring.

He takes a deep breath in and out, releasing a deep sigh that strikes me as being more of a purr while his back arches to push into my fingers.

His head is laying on his arms, face towards me with his eyes closed in contentment. He has a few stand-alone freckles on his neck, cheek, and forehead, and a small scar near his right eyebrow. Heavy, expressive brows and dark lashes frame his eyes. I follow down the bent line of his nose to his lips, slightly parted. He looks so peaceful.

"Thank you for tonight," I whisper quietly.

I'm met with a long moment of silence until I begin to think he might not have heard me.

His eyebrows furrow before he slowly opens his eyes, looking right at me. I raise my eyes from his lips to meet his gaze.

"For...what, exactly?" He asks.

His eyes are captivating as he observes me. "For giving me an enjoyable night off I guess. For convincing me to stay and watch the movie... and for letting me stay here, otherwise I'd probably be sleeping in the car..."

He smiles then, hazel eyes alight, and moves up onto his elbows. "It's been my pleasure." I watch as his gaze roams my face, as I did his. His gaze lingers on my lips before flickering back to hold my stare. "I guess I should thank you as well, I've had fun too."

Be still my beating heart. Those ever-changing irises of his are causing all sorts of reactions in me. What shade would they be if we—

He breaks eye contact first, rolling onto his side towards me and cutting me off from that thought. "Roll over." He indicates with his chin. "Kat said we're supposed to cuddle, remember?"

I huff, but do as he says, turning my back to him. I inch closer until I feel the heat of his chest against my back.

Ever so gently, he puts his arm on my waist and leans into me. I can feel his breath on my neck and hair, his arm holding me, and his heartbeat against my back, beating strong and fast.

Feeling a bit awkward I break the silence, "You know it didn't even occur to me to ask if you had a girlfriend, or boyfriend or anything?"

A low rumble shakes me as he laughs, "Well I should hope it would be obvious I don't. Would I really have done all this tonight if I did?"

"You mean bring me into the showers, flaunt around half naked, watch a movie with me in bed, and sleep with me? I had hoped you didn't, but it's good to know your not a complete ass."

I think I might enjoy teasing him a little too much. But he dishes it back just as well, and I suppose it's a harmless game.

"You hoped I was single huh? And who's the one flaunting around half naked?" He removes his arm from around my waist while talking, and snakes it down to my thigh. I think I stop breathing at his boldness. "Last I checked the only thing you're wearing is my t-shirt..." He slides upwards under the shirt and finds the strap of underwear on my hip. He snaps it with a quick motion, "...and underwear, at least."

I suck in a breath, and I'm about to push his hand away but it's already back at my waist— wrapping around me a bit tighter this time. His legs are now curved against mine, and I can feel almost every inch of him pressed along me.

A low chuckle rumbles through his chest, obviously pleased with himself. "Sorry," he says. "If that was too much, I'm sorry. It was just too easy. I wanted to see how you'd react-"

"I didn't even have a chance to react!"

"Right, only because you froze... and now your whole body is flushed, I can feel the heat just radiating off you."

Ugh, he's right. My face is probably so red, it makes me glad he can't see it in the dark. The exhilaration rushes through my whole body like a rolling wave, even my fingertips are tingling...and the fact that he noticed just makes it even worse! However, I'd be lying if I said I didn't kind of enjoy it, and obviously, my body agrees.

"Whatever, it's fine. It just means the payback will be even better."

Another rumbling laugh, and now my toes are tingling too.

Even his laugh is sexy!

"I know this is random, but you smell really good," he comments, adjusting his head. "I noticed earlier, but wasn't sure what it was then."

I feel his intake of breath as he smells my hair, and then again as he moves towards my neck. The hairs on the back of my neck rise as his nose softly brushes against it.

"Probably your shampoo," Ajax whispers in my ear. "Whatever it is, it smells good."

A shiver releases and runs its way down my spine.

The movement causes me to divert my attention; it's pulled from the breath on my neck, to the newfound pressure against my ass.

Holy shit. He's hard.

✦ ✧ ✦

— A J A X —

How did the night end up here? I feel so lucky and content to just have her here with me. I was not expecting to end up really enjoying this, and I'll be damned if I was going to let it go to waste.

I'm trying not to have any expectations, but she really knows how to push my self-restraint. There have been so many moments I almost completely lost it, repercussions be damned. But I won't do that to her and ruin whatever it is we have... or could have.

When I turned around and saw her in my shirt, this pure sense of want fell over me. She looked damn sexy with my favorite shirt on, breasts on nearly full display. And that smug look on her face, knowing she had me. Heathen indeed.

She managed to look even more beautiful when I caught a peek of her sleeping earlier. She looked peaceful, at ease. That's the real reason I couldn't fall asleep... technically I guess it was her fault, but not because she bothered me, it was just the opposite.

And then I was two seconds away from kissing her after she thanked me for tonight. I swear her lips were calling my name, and she was looking at me with such a soft look I almost melted into her. So I had to face her away from me, and if that meant spooning her I was all for it.

But then the easy banter started and I was feeling brave. And now she's curled against me so I can feel every inch.

Her hair is tickling my face again and her sweet smell is downright delicious. The curve of her neck is right in front of me and how am I supposed to resist running my nose along it?

I'm pulled out of my haze when her body shakes with a slight shiver. Huh... Was that from me? I smile inwardly. Somehow I don't think she's cold if the heat she's giving out is any clue.

She breaks the silence rather abruptly, "Is that another remote in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

What??

What the hell is she asking? Remote in my pocket? Happy to.......

Oh. Ohhhh.

Fucking hell. How had I not even noticed my own dick? Of course I'd get a hard-on right now of all times. We were doing so well and of course my dick has to ruin it! What the hell do I even say right now that doesn't make me seem like a complete ass?

"Uuuugh..." I moan.

Smooth.

"Sorry, I was really trying not to make it awkward, but he's got a mind of his own. I'll flip over—"

"No!" She blurts out. And then quieter, she adds, "It's fine, it doesn't bother me. If anything it's a bit like a compliment."

I smile against the nape of her neck. Alright, well I guess that's a better reaction than I was expecting. I suppose honesty is the best policy, so: "It is a compliment, you've got a nice ass. Honestly though, can you blame me? I've got a beautiful woman in my bed, whose pants-less ass is rubbing against me. I honestly didn't have ulterior motives; I just wanted to cuddle, but I'm not surprised he turned traitor."

She giggles, and can't help but love the sound.

"Well I know you don't exactly have control over your 'traitor' so I'll take your word for it and try to ignore him so maybe he'll go away. I was just surprised... but I'm too comfy to move, so you'll both just have to deal with it."

"Sounds like a fair deal to me. No guarantee that he'll listen to reason, he rarely does, but perhaps we'll get lucky. I'm also super comfortable and don't care to move so long as your fine with it."

"Yep. Totally fine, my nice ass and I barely even notice it anymore."

Was that a size reference? Did she really just say she doesn't even notice it? She's got balls, I'll give her that.

"Har har. Careful, or I might just take that as a dare."

I can see in the moonlight that her cheeks have curved into a smile, and boy what I would give to see the face she's making at me right now.

But I'm content to lay beside her, face buried in her neck. My arm is slung around her waist and I pull her tight to me, eliminating any remaining gap.

She sucks in a tiny quick breath when there's no possible way for her not to notice my erection pressing against her now.

I wait for any indication of her discomfort, knowing I may have crossed a line, but she relaxes and makes no effort to move.

Well alright then.

"Goodnight Cupcake, sweet dreams," I whisper.

She nods in response, and I close my eyes in an effort to try and catch some sleep.

* * * * * * *
A/N:
Aaaaah won't they just do it already, the suspense!

Nope, of course it wouldn't be that simple muahahahaa! ❤️