Dinner

Brooke glanced at Cameron again, and he made a magnanimous gesture to show that he didn't mind. She rolled her eyes. "Uh, is there enough for Cameron too?" she asked.

There was a clang of wood on metal, and Saara appeared in the hallway, a smile playing at the edges of her lips as she glanced between Brooke and Cameron. "Yeah, there's plenty," she said. "Hi, I'm Saara, Brooke's flatmate. You must be Cameron."

"Nice to meet you, Saara," Cameron smiled, shaking her hand. "It smells amazing."

Brooke grabbed a handful of cutlery out of a drawer and laid the table, her stomach suddenly growling. Maybe food was a good choice after all, she thought to herself. Meanwhile, Saara heaped mounds of curry onto plates, saying, "How are you with spice, Cameron?"

"Oh god, it's not gonna be like last time, is it?" Brooke asked. The memory of her obliterated tastebuds was still fresh. "I swear you must've put a Carolina Reaper in that one."

Saara wavered. "Uh, I think I put less in? I sort of just ... guessed."

"Oh, great," Brooke said dryly.

Cameron shrugged. "I guess we'll find out."

"So, how was the film?" Saara asked as she tucked into the curry.

She glanced at Cameron, smirking, and his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Uh ... effective," he said. "Very effective."

"He was scared shitless, is what he means to say," Brooke said, winking at him.

"Oi!" Cameron laughed, pushing her shoulder playfully. She grinned and stuck out her tongue. "What I meant to say is that I can appreciate the thought and effort put into the making of it, while also ... yeah, being scared shitless. This is really good, by the way, thanks Saara," he said, gesturing with his fork at the curry.

"Mm," Brooke hummed in agreement through a mouthful. "'S good."

Saara smiled proudly. "Thanks. Not too much spice?"

Brooke took a quick gulp of water, shaking her head. "No no, it's fine."

"Not gonna lie, it's pretty hot for me," Cameron said, blinking his watering eyes vigorously. "It's delicious, don't get me wrong, but ... hot."

Saara smiled slightly. "Can I get you some yogurt?"

He smiled sheepishly and nodded. "Yes please."

She handed him the last plate and pulled the plug out of the sink, letting the spicy, soapy water drain away with a gurgle. "Good team," she said softly.

"Mm hm," he said, wiping the suds off and putting it in the cupboard. "Good team."

Brooke hoisted herself up onto the counter and crossed her legs, glancing over at Saara, who was lounging on the couch with her eyes glued to the TV. "So, have you recovered a bit?" she smirked.

"Hey, I saw you, too, you were bright red by the end," Cameron grinned, leaning on the counter next to her. Stretching out a finger, he brushed it along her hand, and her mind grew foggy at the touch.

Biting her lip, she whispered into his ear, "At least I didn't have to ask for a glass of milk."

His brown eyes sparkled. "What's wrong with a grown-ass man having a glass of milk? It's good for your bones." Shifting a little closer, his eyes flicked down to her lips momentarily. She licked them in anticipation and began leaning in, then caught herself and pulled back, nodding at Saara.

Cameron followed her nod and smiled guiltily, letting go of her hand. He searched her eyes for a moment, then reluctantly turned to Saara. "Thanks again for the biryani, Saara. I gotta make a move, but it was nice to meet you."

"No worries, thanks for washing it all up," Saara smiled, waving from the comfort of the couch.

"Ah, Brooke handled that, I was just a glorified drying rack," he said, making his way towards the door. Brooke followed, toying absentmindedly with a lock of frizzy hair. "See you on Monday," he smiled, lingering in the doorway.

She smiled shyly. "See you." On tiptoes, she laid a kiss on his lips. Her hands drifted up his chest, and she found herself growing hot at the memory of that same muscular chest against her bare back.

His hand stroked her neck as he pulled back. He looked pointedly behind her, at where Saara was still watching TV, then squeezed her hand and smiled. "Next time," he whispered.

"Next time, what?" Brooke smirked, batting her eyelashes innocently.

Cameron narrowed his eyes. "Nice try."

She giggled.

"Aight, see you later," he said, planting another peck on her lips before whirling away.

Brooke waved and shut the door, then rested against it, waiting for her heart to stop racing. She sighed, then slumped into the couch next to Saara.

"So, you guys seem pretty chill, even though you've only been together for, what, two dates?" Saara said, casting a knowing glance her way.

Brooke sighed. "Yeah. You know you were cockblocking, right?"

"Oh, what? Sorry ..." Saara said. "You should have ... like ... given some sort of signal, or something."

"Like what? This?" Brooke made a circle with her hand and mimed thrusting a finger through it.

Saara laughed. "Okay, sorry. I'll take the hint next time."

Pulling on the oversized t-shirt she used as a nightie, Brooke climbed into bed and flicked the bedside light off. In the silence that followed, her thoughts turned to the dark, handsome man who she could no longer think of as just her boss, but who wasn't quite her boyfriend. He was a half-state. An intelligent, funny half-state who made her weak in the knees with a single smile, who she wanted to please, who she wanted to ride naked until the sun rose.

Her fingers slid down her body and slipped under the waistband of her panties, and she moaned softly as she began touching herself. Thoughts of Cameron swirled inside her skull, his heavy breathing as he fucked her, the feel of his hands gripping her hips, the wetness of his lips on her bare shoulder.

"Shit," Brooke muttered, opening her eyes and pulling her hand back out of her underwear. She was far too horny to sleep.