Lillian’s hips rocked gently against him, with her head tipped back exposing the contours of her throat. Small marks littered her chest and torso where he’d been too harsh trying to taste her. Her hands used his chest and the wall behind him as leverage. He felt her walls clench around him while she moaned. He couldn’t figure out where to put his hands. They raked furiously up and down her torso, gripping her waist tightly helping her ride him before he slid them back up to grip her neck or squeeze a breast making her whimper again. His teeth clenched hard trying to control himself.

“No more touching.” She whispered, encouraging his hands behind his head.

She continued to ride him, pace picking up. She would lift her hips to the very last inch of him before slowly rocking back down until he was as deep as he could get. Brayden just watched her breasts bounce or where they joined together, noting the wetness she left behind, coating him. Her thighs started to shake, and he felt her quiver inside. Harsh growls fell from him lips. He decided he didn’t like this no touching rule, gripping her hips roughly and flipping her underneath him instead. She gasped and cried out when he finally slid further in from above. One hand gripped her throat, and he kissed her breathlessly. Slowly pulling out of her before roughly stroking back in. Lillian whimpered begging words in return. He groaned deeply through his next thrust, letting his lips, tongue, and teeth assault a spot just below her ear. Her answering cries only encouraged him to pick up the pace. Hoisting himself up enough to slid one hand between them he circled her clit slowly, gently picking up the pace while her body arched and squirmed under him.

“Ben. Ben.” She pleaded.

“Ben, Ben?” She called out shaking his shoulders gently.

Brayden sat up panting, eyes darting around the room. It was a dream. He had fallen asleep in Lillian’s lap.

“Are you alright? You were moaning in your sleep.” Reaching a tender hand out to touch his shoulder.

Brayden face blushed red hot when he turned to look at where Lillian sat on his bed.

“Do you have a fever?” She asked innocently, reaching out to touch his forehead.

Brayden snatched her wrist before it could reach his face and flashed her his teeth in a feral grin. Before Lillian could say anything, he pulled her underneath him where he nestled between her thighs, pressing their groins together until he saw her feel him.

“Ben…” She started, eyes wide.

Brayden, despite himself, brushed featherlight kisses across her jaw and exposed throat. He ground his hips gently into hers, making her jump and sigh.

“I do not… have a fever.” He whispered against her skin between kisses.

His hands found hers and lifted them above her head, easily fitting her two wrists in one hand while he left a scorching trail of kisses across her neck. Answering noises of pleasure ghosted from her lips near his ear, sending goosebumps down his spine. Brayden had been planning to wait until Valentines Day. It was corny, but he thought she would appreciate the romance. Another secret pink bag was tucked just under his bed for the occasion. He just couldn’t help himself, roughly grinding himself against her again earning him an arched back, pressing their chests together. Brayden loosed a low groan, letting his free hand slide under the hem of her top until he felt the smooth expanse of her bra under his fingertips. He squeezed gently earning him the tightening of her thighs around his own hips.

“Are you sure… about this.” She whispered between moans begot by the slow circles his hips ground against hers.

“Yes.” He growled back, not really thinking anymore.

He needed to feel more of her, more skin, more heat. He pulled her into a sitting position pulling her tight long sleeve shirt over her head quickly, before he forced her back down into his bed. He threw the shirt behind him somewhere and descended on her chest. His lips were harsher, and he left small red marks in his wake while his one hand forced her hip into his mattress and the other palmed her breast again. Desperate sounds poured out of her like honey with each pass of his hips. Brayden couldn’t think of anything else; he only wanted to feel her and get these rutting jeans off her. He snarled at the rough denim between him and the rest of her. He flicked the button open expertly, pulling her zipper down teasingly. Her skin felt hot and soft under his fingertips. Her own fingers found purchase in his hair, pulling and running through the strands eagerly.

When Brayden started tugging on the waistband of her pants, he felt her whole body go tense. Despite her panted breaths, she had stop rocking back against his hips and her small sounds ceased.

“What’s wrong?” He whispered against the skin below the line of her bra.

She shuttered from his hot breath before clearing her throat and trying to catch her breath.

“I – you kind of implied you had plans for Valentines Day.”

“I did – I do.” He said between his own short breaths.

Her fingers untangled from his hair, covering her face. Brayden quickly lifted his weight off her, bracing himself to look down at her face.

“Why?” He asked.

“I know it’s stupid, but I was kind of looking forward to it.” She mumbled behind the arm she draped across her face.

“I didn’t plan on changing anything about it, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Prying her arm away to look her in the eyes.

“No, I mean the whole… I… I was excited for it to happen for Valentines.” She finished in a whisper, not meeting his eyes.

“Ah, I see.” Brayden grinned, trying to catch her eye.

When she still wouldn’t look at him, he gripped her chin forcing her to look up at him.

“What’s the matter?” He asked in earnest.

Lillian blushed trying to look away again, but he forced her to face him.

“It’s stupid.” She muttered.

“No, it’s not. It’s sweet and you’re right I have all kinds of plans for you. I got ahead of myself.” Brayden encouraged.

“But I ruined this, and it was going so well.” Gesturing between them.

“You have ruined nothing, if anything I almost ruined Valentines. Besides, there isn’t any rule saying we can’t keep making out, if you want.” He added with a wink.

He could tell she wasn’t totally convinced. He pressed their foreheads together gently.

“I love you, so whatever I have to do to make you happy is what I will do and want to do.”

Brayden scrambled off her. He darted into the walk-in closet quickly and grabbed a hoodie. He rearranged himself, so his erection didn’t press so irritatingly against the zipper of his own jeans. He ventured back into the room. She was sat up, knees tucked up to her still topless chest. He offered the hoodie to her.

“Here, put this on.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s cold out, and girls like hoodies?” Brayden teased. “Please, put the hoodie on.” Throwing her a flirty grin.

Lillian huffed taking the hoodie from him and pulling it over her head. Brayden proceeded to tackle her back into laying on the bed. His hands slipped easily under the sweater gripping her ribcage, he peppered her face with kisses before rolling over and pulling her with him. She laid neatly between his thighs, with her head resting comfortably against his chest.

“See? Better, right?” Brayden teased, running his fingers up and down her bare spine.

Lillian hummed in reply resting her chin lightly between his pecks.

“You’re suspiciously chipper.” Eyeing him.

“You’re weirdly suspicious of me.” Brayden countered.

“Am I?”

“You seemed disinterested in continuing, why would I keep going? Would you like me to ask, before I do those kinds of things?” Brayden shrugged.

“No, the spontaneity of it was – good.” Lillian offered with a blush.

“Mmk. See it’s that easy. Don’t feel weird about asking me to slow down Ann. I’m a big boy, I can handle it.” Brayden teased, laying his palm flat against the expanse of her back.

“I just never expected you to be accustomed to girls who don’t jump at the chance to sleep with you.” Grumbling and laying her head back down.

A rumbling laugh erupted out of him.

“Well, I’m not particularity accustomed to it no, but I think that speaks to the kind of girls I typically approached.” Running his fingers along her spine again. “Not you. I’ve never worked so hard for it before. I think that’s half the fun.” Teasing her.

“Incorrigible.” She muttered, a small laugh shaking her shoulders.

“Indeed.” He smiled, looking at his new ceiling. “You know, it is only noon, we can go do some more shopping if you’d like? I do still need rugs and lights. And more girly shit.” Tickling her ribs suddenly.

A squeak of protest sounded from her, but Brayden’s hand was smarty stuck under the fabric of his sweater. He grinned tickling her again before lifting her to straddle him.

“What do you think? Do a little shopping and some more unpacking. Its why you’re here after all.” Smiling up at her.

“This seems agreeable.” She smiled back, rolling off him.

She started to pull the sweater over her head.

“Eh? What do you think you’re doing?” He griped, pulling the hem back down.

“Putting my own clothes back on?”

“No?” Shaking his head. “You’re supposed to wear my hoodie now.”

“Am I? I think your schedule implied I wouldn’t feel so domestic until at least April.” Teasing him.

“Haha, just try and take the sweater off, see what happens.” Brayden sat up crossing his arms.

Lillian reached for the hem of the sweater slowly before gathering it in her hands. He let her get it up to her midsection, where her shoulders and elbow would be stuck in the fabric. He pounced, gripping her bare waist tucking her into himself before pinning her helplessly under him on the bed again. He swiftly planted a few kisses on her skin making her squeal. Then his fingers found their mark, tickling her sides evilly. He grinned at the peals of laughter between protests begging him to stop.

“Sorry I can’t hear you?” Brayden teased over her laughter.

“You win! I’ll wear the sweater, please!” Lillian yelped breathlessly.

Brayden ceased his tickling pulling the sweater back down. He grinned fiendishly at her.

“You – are – the – worst.” Lillian panted, grinning.

“I know.” Kissing her nose, before releasing her. “Let’s go?”

She hummed in reply following him out of the room into the rest of the apartment. The couch would arrive tomorrow, but the coffee table and small dining set they’d picked were already in the space. Lillian also made of point making sure all his pictures and poster were hung right away,

‘or they’d never get done’

Lillian insisted. The few cute things she’d picked out graced some of the surfaces. Her pretty dishes were on display on the floating shelf in the kitchen, along with the tea pot she insisted he needed. The throw pillows they picked out were neatly lined up against the window along with the blankets, waiting for the couch. A few boxes sat on the kitchen counter, waiting to be put away.

“I despise how much I love how your apartment is shaping up.” She grumbled from behind him.

“No, you don’t.” He retorted.

Brayden watched Lillian shuffle into her shoes quickly. He grinned, grabbing his keys off the counter before following her into the hall.

Brayden watched her run her fingers across the rugs hung in the back of the store. She really looked like a little elf when she turned on her heel and grinned at him. She pulled a pretty, round rug out of the selection.

“I’ve always liked round rugs. I’ve never had one before.”

“So, we get a round rug. Maybe two, one for the bedroom and one for the living room.” Quirking a brow at her.

“Okay, but we can’t get two of the exact same rugs that’s boring.” Beaming, she set out to find another.

“What about your office? I don’t think you need a round rug in there, but you need something to keep your feet warm while you’re in there.” Asking over her shoulder.

“Agreed we’ll find something suitable.” Trotting up beside her to link their fingers together. “Thank you for surrendering, by the way.” He grinned down at her.

“Well, I’ll have more fun if I stop pretending that I hate it.”

“I know that’s what I was trying to tell you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m thinking this cream one in the living room, I think the pattern will go nicely with the couch, and this greenish one for the bedroom, it’ll go so pretty with your sheets.” Pulling on the two options.

“I think this one will go with my sheets and yours.” Pulling another, shaggier cream rug out of the selection, winking at her.

“My sheets?”

“I thought we weren’t fighting it anymore. I want this apartment to be yours too. If it was just me, I wouldn’t have a single rug to my name. However, I want you to be comfortable and happy there.”

“It’s a little frivolous, letting me furnish your apartment for you though, isn’t it?”

“Oh, for sure, but I’ve seen your room, and I know how important your space is to you. You like nice, cozy things and the way it looks matters to you.”

“You make me sound materialistic.”

“You know that’s not what I mean. You just thrive in a space you deem pretty. Besides it’s not like we didn’t thrift a bunch of the little things you found for the place, right? I’ve basically been begging you to do this.”

Lillian narrowed her eyes at him quickly before squeezing his hand.

“If you say so. You’re right about the rug, that one will go so much better with my sheets.”

“See?” Brayden beamed.

“What about all our books?” Lillian asked quietly.

“Yeah, that might be difficult. Maybe we can move your desk into the bedroom, scrap mine and turn the office into a tiny library?” Pulling the rolled rugs out from behind their displays.

“My desk isn’t that big.”

Brayden grunted as he tossed them on the trolly they’d brought with them.

“Your desk is bigger and nicer than mine. If you don’t mind my computer being in the bedroom, I don’t see the problem. We can tuck it in the nook by the closest.” Standing upright, Brayden puffed and smiled.

“I use my desk quite a bit for school, you won’t be sad you can’t play games?”

“I’m sure I’ll survive.” Chuckling and pushing the trolly along. “We can put the little chair you have in your room in the office, very cute.”

“Well, now I don’t know what kind of rug you should get for in there!” She exclaimed, latching onto the cart to keep up.

“You don’t have to pick right now. We’ll figure it out when you move in okay. For now, I’ll use socks to keep my feet warm. Now go sit on the trolly, I’ll push you to the lights.”

Lillian giggled and hopped onto the trolly sitting on the edge next to the rugs, knees tucked up close. Brayden smiled thoughtfully as he pushed her along the aisles. She was finally being agreeable when he brought up living together. Brayden couldn’t stop the feeling of pride swelling in his chest as he watched her peer at the rugs thoughtfully, double checking their viability, and nodding to herself.

“You know, I’m actually very excited to live with you.” He heard her whisper from the trolly.

“Of course you are. I’m buying all your dream furniture and putting it in the apartment like a lure.” Brayden joked playfully.

“Hmm you’re right, I think you’re manipulating me.” She teased back.

“Absolutely.” He nodded when she turned around to grin at him. “Okay we’ve arrived, now start picking out some lights and feel free to scrap that dinky bedside lamp I have. I’m manipulating you with shiny things.” He winked gesturing to the walls of lights on either side of them.

“If you insist.” Hopping off the trolly and beginning her search.

Another hour later, Brayden was loading all their goods into the back of his truck.

“James took the canvas?”

“He did, he said it was “good art”, which I mean is true. Very artistic.” Brayden nodded, slamming the tailgate closed.

“I didn’t think he’d want anything that reminds him of me anywhere near him.” She added quietly.

“I think he’s more aware of what happened than you give him credit for.” Casually opening her door and helping her into the truck.

“Is it really necessary to have it lifted so damn high?” She mumbled.

“Yes.” Brayden said with certainty. “Which reminds me, I’ve never taken you backroads driving. We’ll have to do that this summer. Go get stuck somewhere out south.”

“But shouldn’t he hate me?” Looking at him sadly.

“He could, maybe he will, for now I just think he’s sad and trying to do better. I think it was a wakeup call.” Answering honestly.

Lillian just nodded back. Brayden closed her door gently before hopping in his own side.

“Let’s go unpack and decorate.” Dropping his arm behind her seat before backing out of the stall.

“What do you think?” Brayden grinned over at her.

“You want me to praise you for putting your dishes away?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. You’ve done a very good job.” Lillian grinned, reaching on her tippy toes to ruffle his hair. “Or were you hoping for a “good boy”?” She winked flirtatiously at him.

“Hmm, you’ll have to try it at a more appropriate time and find out.” Brayden shrugged casually.

She blushed gently at the implication and Brayden smirked down at her.

“We’ve successfully unpacked. I think that was the last box.” He added.

“You officially live here!” She clapped excitedly.

Brayden tucked her under his arm and glanced out across the apartment.

“Now all its missing is you hey?” Winking at her.

Lillian rolled her eyes and wrapped her own arm around his waist. They stood in comfortable silence for another moment, appreciating the space. Brayden felt how warm she was under his arm, drowning in his hoodie next to him. He looked down at her, appreciating another view. He scooped her up swiftly and plopped her on the counter.

“She’s so fucking pretty.”

He groaned internally, dragging his eyes across the planes of her face.

Lillian was already blushing under his intense look. He felt the need to taste her take him again. Slowly he leaned into her space, leaning down to share her breath.

“I’m going to kiss you now.” He whispered across her lips before tilting her chin up lightly with his fingers.

Her own breath was coming shorter in anticipation. Brayden closed the distance between them slowly. He brushed his lips gently over hers. A small sound tumbled out of her. Brayden gripped the counter tightly and did it again. Her lips tugged on his eagerly. His tongue slipped across her bottom lip with a flick. A louder, needier sound filled his ears. So, he slowly dragged his tongue across her bottom lip. Lillian followed suit, slowly flicking her tongue over his top lip, brushing his own tongue in the process. The sweet taste of her sent his brain rolling. He wanted to savour this. He wouldn’t let her drive him into a frenzy. His hands came up to cup the back of her head, burying his hand in her hair and holding her jaw still. She whined impatiently at the way he held her tightly.

Brayden did his best to ignore the sounds reverberating into his own skull every time he did something new. He pulled gently at the fisted hair in his grasp, and he felt her melt further into his chest. Again, tighter, his brain encouraged. A wicked sound, he swore he tasted on his tongue came next. The hand on her jaw tightened.

“Slowly.”

He thought to himself,

“you can do it.”

Her legs squeezed him around the middle. He couldn’t fight the groan that built in the back of his throat. She squeezed tighter. She was doing it on purpose, she was trying to make him lose his mind. He growled, nipping at her bottom lip gently. He tilted her head back slightly, forcing his tongue deeper in her mouth, trying to taste more of her. He could do this, he convinced himself. He would kiss her, slowly. The hand on her jaw slipped around her throat, squeezing gently - a whimper, slow flicks of his tongue - a moan, tug on her hair – sharp inhale followed by a groan. It was about time he took the time to figure out every little reaction she had.

He finally let his hands wander, forcing them to be slow and thoughtful. Brush of his fingertips under her ear – another whimper, and she gets melty, he noted. He smiled against her lips despite himself. Under the sweater, feather light touches on her bare midsection, more melting, and desperate sounds. What if he gripped her harder? He wondered to himself, gripping her waist roughly. Her hands pulled at his hair, pulling him closer. He noted it, moving on. His fingers ran down her spine and she arched into him, goosebumps across her skin. He did it again even lighter, and she finally formed some words.

“Please.”

It was barely a whisper, but her fingers dove under his own shirt. Under the hem up onto his chest, and under his collar, fingernails grazing the lightly raised lines of his tattoo. He groaned again. His hand flattening across her back pushing her against him. He was starting to lose it. His tongue flicked harsher against hers, his lips moving faster across hers. She replied earnestly, forcing him to be sloppier and faster. The hand under his own shirt, clenched, dragging her nails down his chest. Legs wrapped all the way around his waist, forcing him closer. He was going to fucking loose it, he was sure.

“Please.” She muttered again.

The small amount of control he had snapped. His lips pressed desperately against hers before leaving a hot, urgent trail of kisses to that spot under her ear, sucking swiftly. A cry this time, which just egged him on. He lips raced across her skin, nipping at the frantic pulse point in her neck. Her fingers shot back into his hair, pulling and running through it desperately. His one hand gripped her tightly, the other burying in her hair again, pressing her into his mouth in a frenzy of teeth and lips. He wasn’t sure if he was even breathing. He wanted to taste more, feel more.

He clenched his eyes tightly. She doesn’t want anything more than this, he reminded himself. He broke away for a second, meeting her hazy, lust filled look. He crushed their lips together again, pulling every sound he could out of her. All he could hear was their short haphazard breaths and every moan reverberating in his head.

He didn’t care every time he groaned or moaned back. A few curses tumbled out of him when her lips made their way down his jaw and across his neck. Catching the way he gripped her tighter and swore when she flicked her tongue behind the corner of his jaw, she nipped at the spot again before licking and kissing the small hurt away. He wanted her to do it again. He tilted his head, giving her better access. She sucked lightly before her teeth grazed against his skin again. His hands shook where they held onto her.

“Fuck.” He drawled.

Her tongue ran lazily up the collum of his throat before catching his earlobe between her teeth, sucking gently. The sound of her laboured breathing amplified in his ear. He growled behind clenched teeth. Her hands gripped and pulled at him before her fingertips brushed lightly down his abs. His body twitched without his permission. He snatched her hands away pinning them to the counter under his, kissing her again fervently, forcing himself to slow down gradually. Eventually their fingers laced together, and their kisses grew lazy and slow. Brayden could finally inhale enough to fill his lungs, letting the cooler oxygen clear the fog over his mind. He peppered a handful of more kisses on her lips and face before finally pulling away.

She wasn’t panting anymore, but her lips were swollen. Her hair like a halo around her face. Brayden just admired her face for long moments. She finally broke the silence.

“I’ve never been kissed like that.” Just a breath between them.

“Really? Would you like me to do it again?” His eyes flashing eagerly.

She barely dipped her chin before Brayden was kissing her again.