“Unfortunately, yes.” He started to button up his shirt before he realized there were buttons missing from when I’d ripped it open.
“Oops,” I said with a shrug. I walked into the kitchen, completely naked, and pulled two safety pins out of the drawer. “Here.” I pushed his hands away and began securing the openings of his shirt with my pins. “Sorry.” I gave him a sheepish grin.
Smiling, he held my face in his hands. “Me too.” He put his lips on my forehead for a second and pulled away. He tucked the ends of his shirt into his pants and then we stared at each other, as if he didn’t know how to end this. Was it an end? Or just a pause?
“So…” I began, not finishing my sentence.
“Let me give you my personal email address.”
I was stupidly giddy, even as the voice in my head muttered, Not his phone number?
He scribbled it down on the paper I’d pushed at him and I took the moment to admire his long, thick fingers as they moved across the page. I had a very vivid thought of those fingers inside of me and wanted a repeat.
“Here.” He handed me the paper. “Alice Carroll can email me here.”
Alice Carroll, my fake email account. I knew he was telling me not to use my school account, much like I shouldn’t send to his work account.
“I’ll let her know,” I said, standing still. When he didn’t make a move to leave and just stood there staring, I blurted out, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay? I can order a pizza?” I couldn’t really afford to order a pizza, but if it meant I’d get a couple more hours with him, I was going to go for it.
“I wish I could. I have papers to grade from one of my other classes.” Even though he was shooting me down, he sounded sincere in his desire to stay, so I let it go, walking him to the door.
“Are you going to put on clothes?” he asked at the door.
I shrugged. “Are you going to stay?” I said it teasingly.
He smiled, that one small act transforming his face from sexy intense to stupidly beautiful. “No.”
I leaned against the wall next to the door. “I guess Alice Carroll will have to let you know later on, if clothes happen or not.”
I took delight in the way his throat moved in response to what I’d said. “I hope she does,” he said, his voice hushed.
Leaning in, he kissed me, running his fingers over my ribs. And then he left.
I tried to distract myself with a book, with cleaning, but barely an hour after he left, I booted up my computer and logged into my Alice Carroll account.
From: Alice Carroll
Date: Monday, October 12, 2015 08:29 PM
Subject: Hungry
To: Nathaniel Easton
I’m hungry.
• • •
I laughed at myself for the brief message. His reply came shortly.
From: Nathaniel Easton
Date: Monday, October 12, 2015 08:32 PM
Subject: Re: Hungry
To: Alice Carroll
I heard you say something about pizza. Order some.
• • •
I wasn’t surprised by his reply, but it didn’t go exactly the direction I’d intended.
From: Alice Carroll
Date: Monday, October 12, 2015 08:34 PM
Subject: Re: Hungry
To: Nathaniel Easton
I was thinking I was hungry for dick. What happened to you coming in my mouth?
• • •
From: Nathaniel Easton
Date: Monday, October 12, 2015 08:37 PM
Subject: Re: Hungry
To: Alice Carroll
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you coming against my hand and then around the dick you’re after is what happened.
There’s always next time.
• • •
Next time! We hadn’t discussed anything before he’d left my apartment, but I’d hoped this wasn’t a one-time deal. So, to have him suggest it set my worries at ease.
From: Alice Carroll
Date: Monday, October 12, 2015 08:40 PM
Subject: Re: Hungry
To: Nathaniel Easton
I forgot about that. Perhaps you should refresh my memory sometime soon?
• • •
From: Nathaniel Easton
Date: Monday, October 12, 2015 08:45 PM
Subject: Re: Hungry
To: Alice Carroll
You wound me. I’d like to do just that, but this week is busy for me. Next week, perhaps?
• • •
I couldn’t help the disappointment that wormed its way into my head. But he wasn’t blowing me off at least.
From: Alice Carroll
Date: Monday, October 12, 2015 08:49 PM
Subject: Re: Hungry
To: Nathaniel Easton
I’ll try to fit you into my schedule.
• • •
I’d hoped he’d find the humor in my response, and I wasn’t disappointed with his reply.
From: Nathaniel Easton