Page 26 of Heartstruck

Alli

My body is tangled in the sheets, and a little sore in the best way.

I just smile to myself. Jared. Us. It started on the couch—slow at first, but then…

it wasn’t. The heat between us was suffocating, pulling us in with a force we couldn’t resist. At some point, we moved to my room, avoiding the chance of Olivia walking in on us bare and tangled up in each other.

Morning light spills across the bed, warm and golden, like something out of a movie. Except I’m not the effortlessly cool lead—I’m the awkward girl who somehow landed the hot guy. And for once, reality is better than the dream.

Then, reality crashes in. I sit up abruptly, heart racing when moments from last night hits me. I can’t believe I actually slept with Jared.

What the hell are you doing? Did this really happen?

It’s like staring down the hardest exam I’ve never studied for. I exhale sharply, forcing the chaos to quiet down. Focus, Alli. This isn’t some grand romance. One step at a time. Don’t overthink it. You’ve got this.

But my brain clearly didn’t get the memo as more thoughts pile on. Oh, sure, just keep telling yourself that while you spiral into a full-on meltdown. You’re really nailing this.

My inner monologue has turned into a judgmental version of myself. Super helpful.

I let out an exaggerated sigh. Yeah, I’m totally crushing it.

Honestly, if this was a reality show, I’d be getting a rose from the chaos department.

“Okay, Alli,” I say to myself—barely audible—trying to ignore my inner thoughts and blush creeping up my cheeks. “Just breathe. This is fine. Totally fine.”

Except, it’s not. Because along with those happy memories comes a swarm of anxiety that tightens around my chest like an overzealous boa constrictor. What if this changes everything? What if he thinks I’m just another notch on his bedpost?

Oh my god, am I a jersey chaser now?

I slap myself.

Allison Marie Castillo, you are not a jersey chaser. You’ve known Jared for years. He’s seen you before the makeup and with the braces. There’s no way he would ever think of me that way, surely.

I throw the covers off, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My feet touch the cool floor, and I can’t help but shiver. “Great, now I’m awake and cold. Perfect,” I mutter to myself, wishing I had a magic blanket that could shield me from all this emotional chaos.

Why can’t I just be one of those chill girls who rolls with the punches? You know, the kind who can casually say, “ Hey, I just slept with my super hot friend. No biggie? ” Instead, I’m sitting here like a bundle of nerves, practically hyperventilating at the idea of falling head over heels.

I pull my hair back into a messy bun and head toward the bathroom, trying to distract myself. “Just don’t overthink it, Alli. Be confident. That’s your specialty,” I say to my reflection, rolling my eyes at myself.

Except I don’t know what it’s like to be confident anymore.

Too busy with my thoughts that can rival LA traffic, I didn’t pay attention to the noises happening in my living room. Is that a drill?

I walk out into my living space and see a freshly built desk with Jared hunched over it, making sure it’s intact.

“Good morning?” I say, my voice loud with disbelief. I rub my eyes, wondering if I’m still dreaming or if my mind has decided to throw me a curveball this early in the day.

Jared looks up, a sheepish grin spreading across his face, and I can't help but notice how disheveled and adorable he looks. “Hey there, sleeping beauty. I figured I’d put this desk together while you were”—he gestures dramatically at my messy hair—“hitting the snooze button.”

“For your information, I hit it like twice,” I shoot back, crossing my arms. Not that it matters, but the grin threatening my face totally undermines my argument.

“More like four,” Jared fires back, his grin widening as he leans against the desk like he owns the place.

“Why are you counting that?”

“It’s easy to count when I hear it go off repeatedly,” he replies with an annoyingly charming smirk. “Looks like someone didn’t get enough sleep.”

“I slept peacefully thanks to someone.”

“Three orgasms and counting,” Jared says in a low, teasing voice, his grin smug and unapologetically sexy.

I freeze, my stomach doing a weird flip. What do I even say to that? My hands suddenly feel clammy, and I quickly look away, trying to focus on anything else.

I fail extraordinarily at that, though. Heat floods my stomach.

“What’s this, uh… what’s this desk about?” I question, shaking my head.

“Well, I couldn’t really sleep with your rave alarm blaring this morning.”

“Hey, it’s soft EDM… it’s meant to feel enlightening.”

“It was more ‘stay awake and avoid going crazy’ than enlightening,” he flashes a wider grin. “So, I decided to be useful and build your desk. I even went out and got you a bagel and a caramel latte.” He gestures at the treats on the dining table with his head.

My heart leaps as the gesture leaves me breathless.

“I also remember you telling me how your back has been killing you since your desk broke and you’ve been doing all your work on the coffee table,” he adds, his tone shifting to genuine concern as he straightens.

“And that you were planning to put it together yourself… with a YouTube video tutorial,” he tries to finish casually.

“You really do remember everything, huh?”

“You’re you. I wouldn’t forget anything about you.” He takes a step closer, his presence enveloping me, the air crackling between us.

I take a sip of the caramel latte, letting the rich flavor wash over me, but it’s the warmth of Jared’s presence that truly grounds me. He leans against the desk, arms crossed, watching me with that lazy smile that sends a thousand butterflies swirling in my stomach.

“Did you really call me ‘sleeping beauty’?” I tease, raising an eyebrow, my heart racing as his gaze pins me in place.

“I did,” he replies, a hint of mischief in his voice. “But I might need to change it to ‘Waking Beauty’ if you keep looking this good in the mornings.”

I bite my lip, trying to suppress a smile. “Stop it, you’re going to make me blush.”

“Good, because I like seeing you like this,” he says, his voice dipping lower as he steps into my space.

“Has anyone ever told you that doing good things can lead to rewards?” I tease.

“I’ve heard the saying.”

Placing my hands lightly on his shoulders, I guide him toward the couch, nudging him to sit. “Well, I think you’ve earned a reward for your efforts this morning.”

“Oh? And what kind of reward are we talking about?”

The second I’m near him, it’s like my brain hits mute, the noise and unease replaced by something hotter, heavier. It’s reckless, probably stupid, but when Jared’s this close, nothing else seems to matter.

My throat tightens as I cough lightly, struggling to ground myself while my heart won’t let up.

“How about a kiss?” The words feel lighter on my tongue than I expect, but the tension between us is too thick to ignore.

He closes the distance between us, his breath mingling with mine. “A kiss? That’s it?”

I laugh softly, the sound easy and light. “Patience, sweetheart—that’s a virtue.”

Before I can second-guess myself, I press my lips to his. The second our mouths connect, lust surges through me, sharp and all-consuming.

Jared doesn’t hesitate. He deepens the kiss, his hands gripping my waist as he hauls me into his lap like he’s done it a hundred times before. His fingers dig in, holding me there, like he has no intention of letting go. I sink into him, into the taste of him, the feel of him.

“God, you kiss like you mean it,” he growls lowly, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. “You holding out on me?”

I smile, feeling bold. “I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve.” I say, my voice low and teasing.

“Show me,” he challenges, his gaze darkening with desire.

I capture his lips with mine, my hands sliding over his broad shoulders and down the planes of his chest, feeling the firmness beneath his shirt. Every touch feels jolting, the moment stretching endlessly as he responds, his hands exploring my back and pulling me even closer.

With a mischievous tug, I hook my fingers into the band of his sweats, pulling them lower with slow deliberation.

“What do you have up your sleeve, Alli baby?”

“Alli, baby?” I say, my breath catching. “That’s a first.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

“Why don’t you let me surprise you?” I whisper, my lips brushing against his.

He replies with nothing but a smile.

“Just remember,” I tease, “this is your reward.”

I slip off his lap and kneel between his legs, my pulse hammering at the way his deep blue eyes become tinted with pure, unfiltered hunger. Power hums beneath my skin, a heady rush as I slowly pull his boxers down. His breath hitches, his muscles tensing as I drag my fingers along his length.

I tease him early as I begin to stroke him up and down, looking up at him through my lashes, letting the desperation build between us.

“Fuck,” he breathes out.

I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm as I lean forward, trailing featherlike kisses down his thighs, savoring the way his muscles tense beneath my touch.

“I can stop if you want,” I whisper, looking up at him, the corners of my mouth quivering in a smirk.

“Don’t you even think about stopping,” he growls, his fingers threading through my hair, pulling me closer.

With that encouragement, I shift closer. I take him into my mouth, the sensation sending waves of heat through both of us. I let my tongue swirl around him, exploring and relishing the moment. Jared gasps, his body tensing as I take him deeper, the rhythm building with purpose and bliss.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” he rasps, his grip tightening in my hair.

I feel a rush of pride at his words, and I pick up the pace, my mouth working in tandem with the rhythm of his breaths.

“I’m so close,” he groans, his voice taut with strain.