The Impact of You

Jase

I clean my room twice, even maneuvering the clunky vacuum up three flights of stairs, because I can’t remember the last time I actually used it, which means I’m probably due.

By the time I’m done, there are vacuum lines on the rug beside my bed, and the room smells like citrus furniture polish.

I can’t ever remember feeling this way about a girl before – it’s kind of intense. Avery and I are opposites in every way, yet still I love being around her. But maybe that’s why we work well together – I’m outgoing and she’s closed off; I’ve lived and taken chances where she’s been guarded; I pull her out of her shell and she keeps me sane. She gets my sense of humor; she hit it off with my mom, and last night… Fuck. Last night is in a category all its own. Watching her come undone like that. Man, that was hot. Tasting her, hearing her breathy moans, I’m half hard just thinking about it. Avery arouses so many emotions in me. I want to protect her, make her smile, and take care of her every need.

It’s a far cry from how I ever was with Stacia. I hate to say it, but I put myself before her needs pretty much every time. With Avery, putting her first is what I want. It’s weird.

I finish cleaning my room, lug the vacuum cleaner back downstairs and stash it in a closet that contains a half-inflated blow up doll and a collection of sports equipment. Then I jump in the shower. I want to be fresh for Avery. I even shave and take a little time on manscaping, making sure things are presentable in case she wants to venture south. It’s probably hopeful thinking on my part. But I want it to be her idea to go there. And I pray that she does, because as awesome as last night was, it was fucking hard. Literally. I barely constrained the urge to go jerk off while she was getting ready for bed. But I won’t pressure her. Clearly this is all new for her, and even though I don’t know much about her past yet, I know her jackass ex-boyfriend did something to make her cautious.

When Avery arrives I’ve just come back upstairs with popcorn and two cans of soda.

“Hey.” She smiles at me from the doorway, watching me inside my room.

“Hey.” I set down the snacks and turn to face her. She makes a pair of jeans and a gray T-shirt look sexy. And her hair is just the way I like it – tumbling loose around her shoulders. “Come here.”

I open my arms and Avery crosses the room, letting herself be pulled in against me. She rests her head against my chest and sighs contentedly. I wonder if I didn’t initiate the physical contact between us if she would, but I doubt it. My girl is as timid as they come. I hate whoever made her this way. I want her to tell me, to open up, but I trust that she will in time.

“You get to choose the movie,” I tell her, taking a step back to release her.

She nods and peruses the collection of movies. Most are comedies with dirty humor or horror flicks, but she doesn’t complain. She selects a paranormal thriller and hands it to me.

“Are you sure?”

“I love

into it. I’ve wanted to see this movie for a while. “Well, if

crookedly. “Like a slumber

a slumber party. Like me and you in

her chin up with two fingers. I press a soft kiss to her mouth and then look at her to gauge

that was

closer. “So maybe this

bites her bottom lip. “Extended

on her waist, drawing her

* * *

but forgotten, and Avery is lying in my arms, resting her head in my favorite spot – in the center of my chest. Trailing my fingers lightly across her arms, I never want her to

Avery lifts her head to look up at me with sad eyes I wish were happy.

ask. “Movie’s not too scary for you, is it?”

something’s bothering her. I get the sense there’s something more on her mind than movies and cuddling.

drops her head to my chest, nestling herself in

torn on whether or not to let it go, but there’s a nagging feeling inside me. I roll us over on the bed so I’m hovering over top of her. Her eyes widen in surprise as our aligned bodies command her attention. I smooth her hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ears. “Hey,

not ready yet. I don’t want things

tell her she’s wrong, that she’s safe and this isn’t going to end, but something gives me pause and instead I nod. “Okay.”

been since I was with anyone. Not good. I force a deep breath into my lungs and let it out slowly, focusing on slowing our pace, even as Avery’s tongue flirts relentlessly with mine. A small frustrated groan escapes her throat as she tightens her legs around my waist, forcing her pelvis to rub against mine. I

her sleepy eyes meet mine at the sudden halt in action. “Avery…if you’re not sure about going further, I’m going to need to stop.” I wish I could phrase it a more graceful way, but fuck, she’s gonna make me come.

just…haven’t been with anyone in a while and a certain part of my body likes you

know. My body likes you

me? Does