Chapter 15

I could barely sleep that night. My heart almost ripped through my ribcage as I hid in my room. Leigh has been sleeping, so I tried my best not to wake her up.

I couldn't stop smiling and kept thinking back to what happened in the kitchen. And I wasn't talking about him saying that the cookies I'd made looked good.

I could only hope that he hasn't left any mark on me. I didn't feel the vibe to tell Leigh or Emilia about what just happened and the fact that Seeley has asked me to sleep with him in exchange for Clara doing the same without his full consent.

Even if they were my best friends, there were things I wanted to keep to myself. Some things that I could swoon over like a childish teenager would do.

I pressed my face into the pillow as I watched the shadows dance on the wall in front of me. The only sound that could be heard was Leigh's light snore while my heart has been still beating in my ears. I started to worry if I'd become deaf because of it.

I felt like a little girl again who has just gotten her first compliment from a boy. I was excited and couldn't even blink.

Needless to say, I felt like a zombie the next day. My eyes were burning and just when I was about to fall asleep, Leigh started to wake up.

"You look like shit," she commented after we both had made our bed. "Didn't sleep well?"

I groaned and grabbed my clothes.

"Something like that." I said and touched my neck. I could still feel Seeley's lips caressing my skin.

I hated to keep secrets from her but I felt a little buzz at the thrill of sneaking behind her back. If it wasn't for Seeley, I would have told her right away.

"I know what we should do today," she suddenly said and I groaned.

"I'm not in the mood for doing anything, to be honest." I rubbed my forehead.

"Figured," she smiled and gave a grip to my shoulders. "That's why I thought we could do something off-hand today."

"Off-hand like eating and watching movies?" I tried and she grunted.

"We can do whatever we want and this is your desire for the day?" she scolded and I nodded right away.

"Sounds about right."

Leigh walked over to the closet and opened it.

"That's why we are going to have a girl's day and have a beach picnic."

It didn't sound bad, ignoring the fact that I didn't really feel like leaving our room right now. I was still in shock from what happened last night between Seeley and me.

I covered my slight disappointment and grabbed my clothes. I decided to wear my white short floral dress. I used to wear dark clothes but now it seemed as if my life had taken a turn, and so did my style.

A year ago I couldn't even imagine myself wearing a dress, let alone a colorful one. But I grew out of the cozy outfits.

Leigh made my hair into a braid as I put on my silver bracelet and rings. I liked to think that this new style looked great on me.

"I'll tell Emilia to make some sandwiches." Leigh said and opened the door.

"She doesn't like it when you order her around." I sent her a knowing look and Leigh turned back and put her hands on her skinny hips.

"I am Leigh Maxwell," she said, soft-eyed. "I can order her around as much I want."

And with that, she spun around and headed to the kitchen.

I shook my head with a smile and grabbed my bag, and threw my phone and wallet inside.

I put on my shoes just as Emilia's voice could be heard around the small house.

"Why on earth would I do that?" Emilia asked.

"Because you are a great friend," Leigh tried.

"The hell I am," Emilia disagreed and I smiled at their confrontation.

"Well, after this, you really one hell of a friend," Leigh commented.

"Well, I'm sorry, your grace, that I am not a slave."

"But you would eat it, too!" Leigh argued softly.

"Still," Emilia said firmly. "I'll make a few to me but that's it."

I walked out and dropped my bag on the couch where Seeley was seated, his legs spread as he was texting someone.

When he heard my bag hit the spot beside him, I saw him from the corner of my eyes as he slowly raised his head and looked up at me.

I focused on Leigh and Emilia as if his gaze wasn't burning my skin as he kept staring at me. I acted like I haven't even noticed him.

"I'll make it then." I offered and the girls turned their heads in my direction.

Emilia clicked her tongue as her eyes landed on my colorful dress.

"Wow, that doesn't suck like Leigh's outfit," she said and Leigh gasped.

Truth be told Leigh didn't look bad, she was just more comfortable in her skin than the both of us could ever be.

She was wearing the top of her flower-like swim top and tight shorts.

Emilia wore a tank top and her favorite white high-waist shorts.

"What's wrong with mine?" Leigh asked. "I want to get tanned, is it that bad?"

Seeley stirred in his place and rested his arm on the top of the couch, his eyes scanning Emilia and Leigh.

"You look great, Leigh." Seeley reassured her.

Leigh's face softened and turned to Seeley with a thankful expression.

"Really?"

"Yes, there is nothing wrong with how you look." Seeley nodded. "Don't let Em get inside your head."

Emilia looked completely betrayed by that.

"Excuse me?" She asked. "I'm here too."

"Don't think I hadn't noticed." Seeley answered.

I tried not to smile at their chaotic interaction. I liked how genuine Seeley could be even with Leigh who sometimes could be a difficult person when her insecurities started to break through the surface.

"Why don't you split up the work?" Seeley asked and dropped his phone next to him.

Emilia narrowed her eyes and nodded at me.

"What about sunflower over there?" She asked.

Seeley turned back to me with a smile on his lips that could barely be noticed by them.

"She hasn't had much of a sleep, I can tell," he said and my throat tightened. "I'll watch her for you until you are done."

Emilia groaned but finally let her sassiness go and turned away. She grabbed Leigh by the arm and pulled her into the kitchen.

"Next time you'll make the food for us!" Leigh called after me as they disappeared in the kitchen.

I followed their shadows with my eyes as I leaned forward.

"I already made cookies yesterday,"

"Okay, fine."

Seeley gave me a side glance as the girls started to move around the kitchen while listening to the radio.

He reached forward and grabbed me by my waist and pulled me closer to him.

My eyes widened in horror and I pressed my palms against his chest.

"Stop," I lowered my tone, almost terrified to speak while Leigh and Emilia were only a room away.

"Have you made up your mind yet?" He asked, his lips parting.

"It's only been a few hours, Seeley," I said on the verge of jumping out of his arms. The last thing I needed to have was either Emilia or Leigh hear us.

"Isn't that enough to make a decision?" he arched an eyebrow.

"A rushed one, yes," I nodded and he hummed.

"Why are you torturing me?" He asked honestly and I shrugged.

"I have to play my cards sometimes," I said and he tightened his grip on my waist.

"So, you're telling me that this is all just a game to you?" He asked and I pressed my lips together.

"Define game." I replied and leaned closer to him, closing the distance between us.

He inhaled sharply and took the chance to pull me down with him as he lay down on the couch. As I landed on top of him with a soft huff, I almost shrieked in surprised but bit into my tongue to keep it in myself.

"Is this enough?" His lips grazed mine and I almost moved my head so that they could touch fully.

"I don't know for sure." I said and placed my legs on both sides of his hips, tightening them around him.

"You're evil," he grinned into my neck and placed a wet kiss on it. Memories from last night flew into my head and I almost closed my eyes.

"Where would be the fun if I wasn't?" I asked and grabbed a fistful of his hair. He groaned and sighed deeply.

Before he could say or do something else, I pushed myself off of him and stood up before we would get caught.

When I adjusted my dress, my eyes fell to the coffee table in front of him. There was a bowl of cookies placed there which I hadn't noticed before.

"Are those my cookies?" I asked and he turned his head to the side.

"No," he lied. "They just look alike."

I scoffed and grabbed a cookie to eat it right in front of him.

"These are really good," I hummed in satisfaction as I took another bite, enjoying the multiple tastes at once. "I know something."

"You definitely know a few things," Seeley answered and sat up.

I gave him a small smile and grabbed my bag.

"You don't have any idea how much." I winked at him and walked into the kitchen.