Page 13 of A Lesson For the Grump

Being friends with him this past week has been a whirlwind of the past and future slamming together in a mixture of laughter, steamy looks, and unspoken promises. Our friendship, despite the many years apart, is thriving. It’s like we picked up right where we left off in high school. Except…now I have dirtier thoughts running through my mind.

It’s not just me, either. If he thinks I don’t recognize the searing look in those green eyes of his, he’s severely mistaken. Every time he looks at me, it’s like he’s wondering just how many positions he could put me in before I scream his name.

I know because I’m thinking the same thing.

I’m trying to take it slow and be friends before things grow into something more, but it’s hard when my body is rioting against me. My skin craves his touch, and my mouth can practically taste him just from one look. Every cell in my body is screaming for him.

Maybe that’s why I’m ditching my original costume for tonight and going with something a little…sluttier.

I’m not fully comfortable in the black leather bodysuit since the material doesn’t seem to hide the larger part of my stomach. It makes up for it by highlighting my hips. Pair this with the black fishnets, heeled boots, and blood-red horns on my head, and I look like a proper she-devil. I finish up the look with bright red lipstick and thick black eyeliner that make my blue eyes stand out more than usual.

I know I’ll just be teasing us both tonight, but over the past few days, it’s become somewhat of a game to see just how far I can push Miles before he breaks. Not everyone dresses up for the Scream Factory, but I figured tonight it could work in my favor.

A sharp knock on the door signals his arrival. I give myself one last glance in the mirror before shutting off the lights and walking to the door. The lock sliding free is loud in the silence, joined only by the loud beating of my heart filling my ears.

What if he hates it? What if I did all this only for him to think I look stupid?

But…what if he loves it?

That thought has me squaring my shoulders and opening the door, my eyes immediately looking up to Miles’s face to watch his reaction. His hand falls from the door as he takes a small step back, his eyes traveling down my body and leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

“Sonnet.” He chokes out my name as his eyes make their way back up my body until his gaze clashes with my own.

I take a small step forward, making sure to push my hip out as I come to a stop in my doorway. “Yes, Miles?”

He clears his throat, eyes darting down to my chest as he shakes his head. “Absolutely not.”

Fuck, he hates it.

My body deflates at his words. “What?”

Miles groans and runs his fingers through his hair, making a few pieces stand up and out of place. “Shit, Sonnet. You can’t –. I can’t –.”

He reaches down and grabs at his jeans, making my face heat as I realize what he’s doing. He doesn’t hate my costume - he just likes it too much. My plan is working a little better than expected then.

I take another step forward and internally giggle when Miles mirrors my actions and takes a step backwards. His back hits the wall across the hallway as I continue my approach. “Is there something wrong?”

His hand comes up to rub at his jaw. “How do you expect me to walk around like this all night?”

I tilt my head to the side as my tongue reaches out to wet my lips. My voice is nearly breathless as I whisper, “Like what?”

Green eyes flash as they meet my own moments before Miles’s hand reaches up to grab at my throat. He walks us backwards until we’re back into my apartment and my back is up against the wall of my living room. His hand squeezes gently, applying just enough pressure to show me that he’s got me right where he wants me.

“Like what?” he growls. “One glance at you and my cock is painfully hard, Sonnet. How the fuck am I supposed to watch you walk around all night in this little fucking costume without finding a dark corner to fuck you in?”

I don’t have the words to respond. I wanted to push him, to see how close he would get to breaking, and I think I met my goal. The wild look in his eyes shows he is one word away from snapping and taking me up against this wall. Unfortunately for him, I want to play this out a little longer.

He lets out a dark chuckle at my silence and slowly releases his hold on my throat. “Staying quiet now, are you, Sonnet?”

I give him a nod and he smiles, but the sweet gesture doesn’t trick me. He’s still thinking about fucking me against this wall. I’m still thinking about it, too.

“Let’s go before you push me too far.”

He walks back a few steps, allowing me enough space to slip past him and grab my bag. I throw the strap over my shoulder and turn my head towards him, giving him a quick wink. “Who said that isn’t what I wanted to do?”

He lunges for me, and I let out a laugh, taking off for the stairs. “Come on before we’re late!”

Miles grumbles under his breath about the crowds as we slowly make our way toward the haunted house. I had purchased our tickets beforehand so Miles wouldn’t try to pay for them like he had everything else this week, so all we had to do was show my phone at the front gate to get in.