The room was heavy with silence, and I stood awkwardly, my arms crossed over my chest in a futile attempt to shield myself from the intensity of Robert's gaze. My shyness was a tangible thing, wrapping around me like an impenetrable shell, but Robert had a way of breaking through—he always did.
"You're hiding from me again," he said softly, his voice brought extremity within me. His lips quirked into that familiar, teasing smile that both irritated and melted me.
I couldn't look at him, the heat in his eyes too much to bear. Instead, I stared at the floor, my heart racing wildly. But then, as if sensing my turmoil, he stepped closer, the warmth of his presence enveloping me.
You don't have to be afraid of me," he whispered, his fingers brushing against my wrist. The softness of his touch sent shivers cascading down my spine. "I'm here to make you feel safe, not to scare you."
His words were a balm, soothing the nervous energy coiled tight within me. Slowly, he drew me toward him, his hands light but insistent.
It's almost 4 AM," he whispered, glancing up at the clock on the wall. His voice went low and teasing. "I have an idea. Let's take this to the shower. It'll wake us up—or maybe tire us out even more.
The suggestion was like a jolt of electricity passing through me; my breath caught in my throat. His confidence drew me to him even as my instincts screamed a retreat. He guided me to the bathroom, the air charged with unspoken tension.
The bathroom light was dim, the soft glow casting golden hues on the walls. The sound of the shower filled the space, the water cascading in a steady rhythm that matched the pounding of my heart. Robert turned back to me, his eyes smoldering with an intensity that left me breathless.
He began to unbutton his shirt, his movements slow and deliberate. Each inch of skin he revealed sent a wave of heat rushing through me. When his shirt fell away, he stepped closer, his hand lifting to touch my face.
"You're beautiful," he said simply, his voice tinged with reverence.
I wanted to say something, but nothing came to mind. So I let him lead me, his fingers tracing the straps of my bra. The fabric slipped off my shoulders and fell silently to the floor. My skin prickled under his gaze, every nerve alive and waiting.".
The water hit us in a warm cascade as he drew me under the spray. His hands found my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. His lips captured mine, the kiss slow and consuming. The heat of the water mingled with the heat of his touch, creating a heady mix that left me dizzy.
His hands were moving purposefully, tracing every curve and dip of my body. His fingers drew paths over my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I clung to him, my body responding instinctively to his.
Time seemed to stretch and blur, the outside world fading away. There was only the water, the warmth, and him. When he finally pulled back, his smile was soft but teasing.
"You need to rest," he said, his voice low and intimate. "Get some sleep. We'll pick up where we left off once you've had a chance to recharge."
His words were both a promise and a challenge, leaving me breathless. I wrapped myself in a robe as he stepped out, his smirk lingering in my mind long after he disappeared.
I lay in bed, hugging my pillow tight, my thoughts racing. Sleep seemed impossible; my body still tingled from his touch, every nerve alive and singing. I replayed the moments under the shower, the way his hands had moved over me, the way his lips had claimed mine.
Finally, I succumbed to exhaustion, drifting into an uneasy sleep. Yet even in slumber, he remained there, a shadow in my dreams, a fire in my heart. In some part of the house, Robert was probably asleep in my brother's room, but I could still feel him—every kiss, every touch, every whispered word etched into my skin like a memory I couldn't escape.
The soft, golden rays of morning filtered through the curtains, gently warming my face and pulling me from my dream. As my senses slowly opened up, I remembered the night before: all the intimacy, tenderness, and tension between us. The memories played vividly in detail, and I felt my cheeks flush.
I stretched lazily, got out of bed, brushed my fingers through my hair, and wrapped myself in a light shawl, then stepped out of my room into the enticing smell that filled the house.
To my surprise, there he was—Robert in the kitchen with a look of utter coolness moving around. There was nothing better than the fitting plain white T-shirt cladding his toned figure, along with casual joggers. His slightly tousled hair added a much-needed boyish charm to it.
I stood at the door, my breath catching. He had a way of making even the most mundane things-like cooking breakfast-be incredibly attractive. He was leaning slightly against the doorframe, and I watched him with quiet admiration.
"Are you going to sit there all morning and watch, or are you going to get up and help?" His playful, teasing voice broke my trance.
I jumped a little, my cheeks heating up at the realization that I had been caught. "I-I wasn't watching you," I stuttered, moving closer.
"Yeah, sure, you weren't," he replied with a smirk, not turning around as he flipped an omelette with a practiced hand.
The table was already set with fresh juice, toast, and an assortment of spreads. He brought over two plates and set one in front of me before sitting across the table.
"Breakfast is served," he said with a mock bow, his face lighting up with a grin.
"Did you… make all this?" I asked, surprised and impressed.
"Well, Noel wasn't around, and I figured you deserved a little pampering after last night." His words were laced with subtle innuendo, and my heart skipped a beat.
We ate in companionable silence but something electric brewed beneath the surface. His eyes met mine several times; each time my cheeks flushed anew.
I was about to take another bite when the sound of footsteps interrupted us. Noel appeared in the dining room with his hair still damp from a shower. He paused, eyes drifting from Robert to me, full of curiosity.
"Good morning," Noel said lightly with an undertone of suspicion. "I see breakfast is taken care of.
Yes, your friend here is full of surprises," I quickly replied, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
"Is that so?" Noel sat down at the table, his eyes flicking between us. I could tell he was picking up on the unspoken connection between Robert and me, but he said nothing, letting the moment pass.
After breakfast, Noel settled back into his chair. "It's Saturday—no college. How about we do something fun?"
Robert and I shared a look. "What do you have in mind?" I asked.
"A trip to the seaside," Noel suggested. "It's been a while since we've done that."
"That sounds perfect," Robert said, looking briefly at me with his eyes sparkling and a playfulness playing around his mouth.
The seaside was everything I had hoped it would be. There were bright blue skies and golden sand, but most of all, there was the constant sound of waves crashing against the shore. We set up a small picnic area and immediately began playing games.
It started with volleyball, the three of us laughing and cheering as we spiked the ball back and forth. And then came kabaddi, an energy that completely took over.
We split into teams—Noel and I on one side, Robert on the other. The game was intense, the playful competition quickly escalating into something more personal.
When it was Robert's turn to raid, he moved with a mix of strategy and grace. He dodged Noel easily and came straight for me.
"Caught you," he whispered low and teasingly, as his arms went around me from behind. His grip was firm but not forceful, his breath warm against my ear.
I wriggled free, racing heart, desperate to get away. "Let me go," I said, half-laughing, half-breathless.
"Not a chance," he said, soft voice, but filled with intent.
The moment stretched, with the sounds of the game trailing off as it narrowed to him and me in the world outside. Finally Noel's voice finally cut through that.
"Right, break," he said teasingly, if a little suspicion etched its way across his expression.
By lunchtime, we were all starving. We sat under the shade of a beach umbrella, enjoying the food we'd packed. As I reached for a spicy dish, Robert stopped me, his hand brushing against mine.
"Don't," he said, his voice low.
"Why not?" I asked, puzzled.
He leaned closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Because if it's too spicy, I'll have to cool it down for you."
His words hit me right away, and I could feel my face burning. Noel was too busy with his food to notice the exchange.
As we kept eating, Robert's eyes didn't leave mine, and I couldn't help but wonder what else he had in store for the rest of the day. The seaside air, the playful tension, and his relentless teasing were weaving a spell I couldn't escape—and truthfully, I didn't want to.