Free Coming Home (Only Time Will Tell #1) by Caroline Spencer

your room.”
    He starts to say something, but I try and stop him quickly, “Listen, are we crashing tonight or what? At this rate it'll be time for me to go home. So you can either stay here and chat or sod off and let me get changed.”
    He shuts his mouth, quickly grabbing himself some clothes and leaves, telling me he's going for a shower in the guest room. I think he got the point.
    I take off my “responsible dress.” Out of most things I own in my work wardrobe, I think this dress is the most sensible. It goes to my knees, buttons under my chin and shows no extra flesh other than my arms and shins.
    Shaking out the article of clothing that he's dumped on the bed, I find only an old shirt. I question myself about walking out there with it on but decide to just do it. I could walk out here naked, but if I don't want this to go any further, it won’t. Right? Right. I take off my jewelry and place it in a neat pile in the comfy chair.
    After redressing in the T-shirt, I give myself a little pep talk and leave the room feeling half naked, even shaking my body all over like I'm about to walk into the ring with Mike Tyson.
    I walk down the hallway, the only sound is my feet as I pad across the cold floor. I pass a door further down. Hearing movement inside, I stop and listen.
    “C.J.?”
    I've hardly made a single sound, so it startles me. He couldn't have heard me walking down here. “Yeah?”
    He shouts back through the door, sounding like he's in a cave. “I've left something in the kitchen for you.”
    I look at the door curiously for a moment before I realize that the only way I'll find out what he's left out, is by going into the kitchen.
    I walk in, the silent hum of the refrigerator and wine fridge filling the air.
    Next to the stove is a Jiffy Pop. I do a little dance, happy that I get to play with my food for a change.
    I fire up the stove, and peel back the cardboard. Popping the tray on the heat I dance over to my purse and dig out a hair band, tying up my hair that I'd left wavy today, only twisting and pinning back the front side section.
    After a quick shake of the tray, I click the television on that sits in the top units, flicking to a music channel.
    They're currently showing soundtracks to movies, and my favorite ass shaker is on. I continue to shake the tray, watching the foil expand as I slowly begin to relax and start shaking my ass to the music.
    By the end of the song, I'm tired out. When the popcorn is cooked I dig through the cupboards searching for a bowl.
    After a quick stab with the fork, I pour the popcorn into the bowl.
    I take a few pieces, then decide to wait in the lounge. As I turn, I remember I'm not in my own home. “K.C.. How long have you been standing there?” stuttering from nerves, knowing by the slack mouth and eyes the size of tennis balls, he saw me dancing. Heat starts spreading from my chest to my neck. I can't believe I didn't think about getting caught, or even consider someone walking in. It could have been Josie.
    He looks at me, his mouth moving, but nothing coming out. “I... erm... Did you....” His eyes are continuously traveling the length of my naked legs. His eyes are growing hungrier by the second, and I dread the thought of him looking at me with those eyes. I never did resist them, I've never wanted to. Just the thought of them now is making me clench my thighs together.
    In an attempt to save myself, I make a joke of the situation. “I made popcorn,” I laugh. “Come on K.C., you've seen a hell of a lot more than me shaking my ass around the kitchen.”
    He takes a large gulp before he actually looks me in the eyes. I look away immediately, nibbling from the bowl that I'm grasping too. “Do you want a drink?” he asks, his voice gravelly.
    “I'll have whatever you’re having.”
    I can see his bare feet walk to the refrigerator as I'm concentrating on the bowl.
    Finally, I head into the lounge, finding a duvet on the couch.
    I get under it, and get