Page 18 of Not Your Enemy
After telling Sam thanks and waving him off, we walked up the driveway to Jade’s house. It was a smaller, cottage-style home nestled in a cull-a-sac of a suburban neighborhood. As Jade unlocked the front door, I realized how substantial this moment was. Staying at her actual home with her was not a line I had expected to cross. Walking inside, it smelled just like her woodsy amber scent and had a very maximalist feel to it. Considering she loved art, it made so much sense that her walls would be covered in it and that there would be pops of color everywhere.
“This place is gorgeous; I love how happy and colorful it is. It reminds me of you,” I stated, still taking it all in.
“Thanks, I love it too. It’s my safe space, away from the world.”
For some reason, her words made me sad. Although I’d heard the terminology before, something about the way she said it implied that it was the only safe space she had, maybe ever. And here I was with her, somewhere so private, somewhere her own sister had never been.
“Mind if I shower?” I asked, ready to change out of these clothes and take off my makeup.
“Of course, here, let me show you where everything is.”
Following Jade, we walked down a hallway and into her bedroom. She had a black-and-white striped comforter with white sheets. The walls were painted a pretty lilac color, and there were tons more paintings and photos around the room. Stepping into the master bath, Jade grabbed me a towel and turned on the water for me.
“I’ll grab some clothes for you,” she said before heading out of the room.
I stepped out of my shoes and peeled off my jeans and top. After taking off my panties and ceremoniously unclasping my bra, I got into the warm, walk-in shower. Something about a steamy shower after a night out was always pure bliss, and not being able to help myself, I took my time just enjoying it.
Once I was done, I used some of her mouthwash since I didn’t have a toothbrush and then borrowed some of her lotion. She’d brought me one of her oversized tees and a pair of athletic shorts. The shorts were definitely tight, so I took them off, deeming them too uncomfortable. The T-shirt, thankfully, covered my backside. I stepped out and found Jade sitting on the velvet couch in her living room.
“Will you find the spot we were in last night?” She asked, referring toPride & Prejudicethat was up on the screen. “I’m going to take a quick shower, and I’ll be right back.” She handed me the remote and kissed my cheek on her way out.
Even though I was feeling a little more like myself after the shower, I still could barely think of any reason notto enjoy every moment with Jade. I may feel differently about our time here tomorrow, but it felt like the constant guilt that plagued me was quieter than it had ever been.
Jade returned quickly and cuddled up next to me. Leaning in, she wrapped both her arms around me and placed her lips on my neck, kissing me slowly for a moment.
“I enjoy seeing you in my clothes, and I like that you smell like me. Is that weird?” she asked, and I shook my head no.
“I like it too,” I admitted, embracing her back and then leaning in to kiss her forehead.
Pressing play, I laid back against the armrest and pulled her over to cuddle against me. There were so many naughty ideas that had been swirling around my head at the bar, but now that we were lying here and it was so comfortable, I felt like I was moments from drifting off to sleep. I brought my hand to my mouth, trying my best to hide my yawn.
“Want to head to bed?” Jade asked sweetly.
“Sorry, I wanted to finish the movie, but I’m so sleepy. It was your fault; it feels too nice cuddling with you,” I said, kissing her hair before we both sat up.
Jade turned off the TV and grabbed my hand, walking me into her room and over to her bed. She turned off the light, and we both slid under her comforter. Her cotton sheets felt downy against the bare skin of my legs, and her comforter wasn't heavy the way Jana's was. It was just bulky enough to keep in heat without being suffocating. She slid an arm under my pillow and then pulled me closer with the other. I wrapped my arm around her waist, lightly rubbing there. Slipping my hand under her T-shirt, I kept rubbing her soft skin in slow circles.
“That feels nice,” she said, tangling her fingers in my hair the way she loved to do.
“I had a lot of fun with you tonight, Jade,” I said, and meant it.
“Me too. I’m so glad you let me take you out,” she said, pulling gently at a lock of my hair.
Pulling my hand from under her shirt, I moved it up to her neck. Leaning forward, I placed my lips on hers and kissed them gently. Her hand moved to the back of my neck and pulled me closer somehow. She pushed her tongue into my mouth, licking and meeting my own as our kiss intensified. Her free hand slid down until it was rubbing against my breast. She teased my nipple, circling it with her finger before pinching it gently. I moaned into her mouth and bit at her bottom lip.
“As much as I like you in my clothes, I think you may look better without them,” Jade said between kisses. All I could think about was how good she’d look in that predicament. I wanted to turn the lights back on so I could admire her beautiful form.
“Yes,” I responded against her lips, feeling myself hum with desire for her.
"But…fuck." She kissed me hard, arms pulling me tight against her. “But not tonight.” Her words were like ice water against my skin, extinguishing what had been a rising heat. I pulled back and untangled myself from around her.
“Oh,” I said, trying my best to hide the hurt in my voice.
Hadn’t she been the one to initiate so much of our flirty and intimate interactions? Did something change for her?
“I still want to cuddle with you, Libby; you don’t need to pull away.” I lay still, so confused by her words. “I just want us to be completely sober if we take things further.”
Moving closer to me, she ran her hand along the side of my face, sweeping my hair back.