Page 8 of Shifter for Brains

Together. I liked the sound of that.

~

Lucas

When I yawned and sank down against the padding of the futon, Chase declared it time for bed. Yet for some reason he pulled me up as we ventured deeper into his apartment.

Oh, we arrived at a closed door.

"What’s in there?" I wondered.

"A swimming pool."

“Really?” Not really since he cracked up. I finally reached the logical conclusion. “Oh, your b-bedroom.”

"Yeah, it’s all yours."

"Right. Great. Thank you." Did he notice how I became awkward and started fidgeting?

"Hey, it’s no problem. I’ve slept in the living room before during gaming marathons where I play video games much, much longer than a grown man should."

Chase smiled easily, and looking directly at him was challenging as he stole my breath away. His easy smiles, his laugh that filled up rooms. I felt this pull like everything revolved around him. I wanted to get lost in his orbit. My mind was a scary place these days, and his arms looked like a much better location. Strong enough to hold my weight and I wondered how they’d feel wrapped around my body.

Chase nodded in a goodnight, turning to leave.

“Chase wait. You shouldn’t have to give up your bed.”

"Dude, it’s no prob—"

"Join me," I interrupted before losing my nerve. “Your bed’s big enough for both of us, right?”

"W-what?" His mouth dropped open. He seemed so confident and in control, was that really all it took to fluster him?

"Come on, should I be more forward?"

“Lucas,” he whispered, not coming closer yet.

“For all the stuff you don’t have, I’m sure your apartment is well equipped with condoms.”

Yep, that covered more forward.

I placed a hand on his chest and his pec jumped at the contact. His body swayed towards mine like a planet pulled into another’s orbit, a collision imminent. His mouth parted, I saw it clearly even in the dark because my eyes were laser focused there. I swore his hand brushed my hip, about to settle there when—when everything stopped.

“Whoa, no,” Chase said. He stepped back. “This can’t happen.” He turned and left me there watching him walk away.

4.Oops?

Chase

Relaxing Lucas and doing some low-key factfinding was my mission for the night. A drink was a reasonable request after what he went through, but water seemed safest since I lacked any human alcohol.

Then he took matters into his own hands.

At least alcohol helped loosen him up. He possibly even enjoyed himself for a minute there. I did too. Until he invited me into his room.Myroom. He invited me back to my own damn room.

How did I not see that coming? I blamed the late hour. And the liquor. And myself.

"Shit. Shit, shit, shit."