ONE YEAR AGO

I couldn't take my eyes off her.

Arisa was dancing with Gwen a few feet away from our table. She threw her head back and laughed when Gwen made a goofy dance move.

"You're staring again," I heard Byron say.

"Byron, man." I made a show of trying not to laugh. "With the way Gwen is dancing, wouldn't you stare?"

I averted my gaze, and took a swig of my beer. I seriously needed to get fucking laid. Now that I was done with the LSAT, I had time again for my favorite extra-curricular activity – sex.

It was a Saturday night. The circle was done with studying hard, so now we were at Crown Oak to unwind harder. It was beginning to be our weekly thing.

"Okay, I see your point," Byron said, watching the two girls dancing amongst the crowd.

"You gonna see your boyfriend this break?"

He sighed, leaning back into the chair. "No, I'll spend the holidays in Aspen with the family. He's going back home to Dallas."

"Why don't you just bring him as a friend?"

"They're suspicious enough as it is as to why I haven't brought home any girlfriend yet."

"Can't you just tell them?" I asked, cocking my head as I looked at him. "To hell what they think."

He shook his head, his jaw clenching. "No, I'll save that conversation when I've achieved my goal. I'm going to make sure they have nothing else to criticize about me."

"What if they blew their shit?"

"At least, I'll be a lawyer by then."

I nodded. "Good point."

Personally, I saw no problem with it. People could love who they fucking loved. His parents could suck it. But it was Byron's decision. Not mine.

Right then, Yash arrived looking like hell. We made him drink hard since it seemed like he needed it. I didn't know what it was about today, but my friends were getting fucking plastered.

I was taking responsibility for Byron's sudden interest in swimming in his own vomit, since I was the one who opened up that subject about his folks. But the others? Well, they looked like birds that just got out of their cages.

At some point, Byron passed out in the booth. Yash and Gwen were dancing, or more like swinging their hands and jumping – hence, the birds analogy.

Arisa sat beside me with her chin resting on her palm, staring at me with those glazed but still gorgeous brown eyes like it was a goddamn hobby. Her eyes had that liner shit that made them look catty. It was cute.

"Wanna play a game?" she asked.

I chinned up. "What game?"

"I'll tell you a secret but you have to give one back."

"Depends on how good that secret is."

"Oh, it's good—fantastic," she assured me, raising her hands and giving me a serious look – or at least, tried to.

"Game," I agreed, humoring her as I reached for my beer and took a drink.

"I want you to fuck me."

I spluttered my drink, almost fucking choking. I hammered my chest with a fist and put the bottle back on the table. I wiped my mouth clean, before turning back to Arisa. She only looked at me innocently.

"What?" I demanded.

"What?"

"What did you just say?"

"What?"

"The secret."

"I said, I want you to fuck me."

Holy shit, this girl.

I shook my head. "You're drunk."

"Yes."

"You're not thinking clearly."

She snorted. "Obviously."

"So you don't mean that."

"Oh, but I do," she sang, giggling.

My eyes narrowed. "We're friends."

Not to mention, she kept turning down my subtle advances these few past months. She probably thought I was joking. And I realized that I kept doing it not because I thought at some point, she'd give in.

I kept doing it because I knew that no matter what, she wouldn't.

"Duh." She rolled her eyes. "That's why it's a secret. I'm too smart to fall for your moves. That doesn't mean I'm not attracted, though."

I couldn't help the smile daring to show on my face.

Damn, Arisa was attracted to me.

"What if... What if I give in just for tonight?" She scooted closer to me until her soft body was pressed up against mine.

Fuck. "You'll regret it in the morning."

"I'd rather live in the moment," she whispered.

I let out a small laugh. This girl was seriously testing my self-control.

"I don't do drunk girls."

"Come on, Alfie," she purred, batting her eyelashes and leaning up closer until our faces were almost touching. "Don't leave me wanting you tonight."

My eyes traveled down to her lips. Fuck me. I mean, I didn't have to sleep with her. I could just get her off so she wasn't aching when she went to bed.

Right?

I closed my eyes and was about to close the gap, our lips brushing but still not quite touching. She was so close that I could feel her fast heartbeat, matching the pace of my own.

Just a little more and I'd finally be able to kiss her.

But then...

"No," I said firmly, shaking my head and pulling away. Fuck, that was close.

She pouted, looking all cute and shit. "Why not?"

I sighed as I caressed her smooth cheek with my thumb, before grazing her lips. Her breath hitched, and our eyes locked. God, she was beautiful.

"Because when I fuck you, I want you to remember every second of it."

Before I could change my mind, I tilted her head up and kissed her neck, at least giving myself this. When she moaned, my damn dick stood at attention. My tongue darted out and I licked her skin, before sucking on it.

"Alfie," she breathed out, grabbing onto my broad shoulders like it was her lifeline. Gotta admit, I liked her holding on to me like this.

When I was done, I pulled away and studied my artwork. She'd kill me for it, but let this be a lesson for her not to get too drunk again.

"Let's be honest," I told her, gently pushing back some of her hair away from her face. Even sweaty, I could still stare at her all day. "You'll never sleep with me sober, and I won't fuck you drunk. Why don't we just leave it at that?"

She sighed, leaning her head on my shoulder and closing her eyes.

"Fine, you win."

I chuckled. This was winning? I felt like shit.

"You never told me a secret," she murmured.

"Secret, huh?" I considered it, absently looking around the pub. "Wanna know why I'd rather keep you as a friend?"

I could've easily crossed the line tonight. But once I did, I knew there was no going back. We wouldn't be the same, and I liked us as we were.

"Because I'm awesome?" she mumbled.

I grinned. Just as quickly, it was gone. I glanced at her looking like she was close to dozing off. I kissed her forehead.

"'Cause I know you deserve someone better than me," I admitted quietly.

She sighed again. I had no idea if she heard what I said because she didn't say anything anymore.

I drew the line.

All we had to do was never cross it.

_____________

Short but sweet, eh? ;)

Next update: I update on weekends!

Coming up next... Chapter 9: Best Part
I guess we all know this will be the continuation of the previous chapter. Are you ready for me to write something steamy? I'm not. Hahaha send help

Also, a little treat :)