And More

They didn’t rush.

Laura felt the deep sense of certainty of someone who had stopped resisting herself.

Justin didn’t pull her closer immediately. For a moment, he let the kiss linger just as it was. Soft, steady, unhurried. Giving her a chance to step back.

She didn’t.

Instead, her hand slid from his arm to his shoulder, fingers curling slightly into the fabric of his shirt. That was all it took. The space between them disappeared.

Her thoughts didn’t vanish. They just stopped mattering. For once, she didn’t ask herself whether this was a mistake. She just let it happen.

Justin’s hand found her waist. When she didn’t pull away, his touch became steadier. He unbuttoned her blouse. She unbuttoned his pants.

Laura exhaled softly against his lips, her body leaning into his without thinking. The unfamiliar apartment, the half-unpacked boxes, the entire arduous day. They all faded into the background.

There was only this moment.

He picked her up and gently laid her down on the bed.

She saw his arousal and couldn’t hide her own. It didn’t matter. She spread her legs as he positioned himself on top of her.

“Ah!”

Justin didn’t take her. More than anything, she felt as though he was giving her something. The sex was gentle and fulfilling.

She let herself go.

Freedom didn’t mean having to be alone. Freedom meant having what you wanted.

Later, the apartment was quiet again.

Laura was lying on her side. Justin snuggled close to her from behind. She felt warm both inside and out.

“Didn’t you really recognize me?” he asked, just above a whisper.

A smile crossed her lips.

“Not at first. You dyed your hair and work out, right?”

“When did you figure it out?”

“When we kissed. It felt exactly like it did back then. How could I forget our first time?”

Then it dawned on her.

“You planned all of this. Didn’t you?”

“I recognized you right away when I happened to see you with that guy on the street. You didn’t seem very happy. I figured you needed an opportunity to break up with him.”

“So, it wasn’t a happy coincidence after all that I got this apartment?”

He made a sound that was half an amused chuckle and half a confession.

“I knew this apartment was going to be available, and I made sure you’d get it."

“That’s not… normal, Justin.”

She turned her head, studying him.

“You schemed and arranged all this? That’s intrusive,” she scolded him.

“Yes.”

No apology.

Laura exhaled, her gaze drifting toward the dark ceiling.

All the small things. The weird feelings. The unlikely fortunate circumstances. The ease with which everything fell into place.

It wasn’t random.

No luck.

Her fingers dug into the sheet. She should feel alarmed. She should kick him out.

Instead—slowly, she leaned back into him again. She had learned her lesson. This made her a stronger woman. She would hold on to her independence.

“That wasn't okay, Justin. But I can accept that we're neighbors now.”

A sly smile played across her lips.

“Neighbors with benefits.”