Free North Star by Angeline M. Bishop Page B

lips suddenly thinned with displeasure. “If you need anything, just knock, Caresse. I stay up until eleven. Goodnight.”
    “Goodnight.”
    Caresse knew it was only a matter of time before Janet and Roland compared notes regarding her, but she couldn’t stop that. I’m not dating Graham anyway , she thought when she entered the bathroom to change into the football jersey.
    She hadn’t worn one of these in years, but it was comfortable, and she felt good in a sexy, sporty kind of way. Caresse took off her jewelry and let down her hair before removing her makeup and brushing her teeth. Once she was ready for bed, she returned to the boys’ bedroom.
    She placed Janet’s robe and her things on a small recliner and used the light of the lantern to look at the posters on the Matthew and Mark’s walls. There was a WWE wrestling heroes poster placed between the windows. A comic book poster of Black Panther and Wolverine of X-Men was displayed on the back of the door, and pop singers Rihanna and Beyoncé peered into the room near the closet. She saw trophies on their bookshelf and let her fingers feel their coolness as she pondered how different boys rooms were from girls. Then, the bedroom door swung open.
    Caresse turned to see Graham carrying his jacket and tie. He closed the door behind himself and took a step toward her. His gaze scanned her body, resting on the football jersey and he let out a hardly laugh.
    “What’s so funny, haven’t you ever seen a woman in a jersey?” Caresse stood her ground, placed one hand on her hip, and held the lantern up to see the amused expression on his face.
    He circled her, and Caresse could practically feel the sexual tension in the air. “Yes, I’ve seen a woman in a jersey, just not in that one.”
    Caresse glanced at the garment. “What’s wrong with the Steelers?”
    “Oh, nothing. Do you wear jerseys around your house?”
    “No, not for about two years or so. It’s not like I have a guy’s closet to raid. Roland was nice enough to let me borrow it tonight. It’s very comfortable.”
    “Is it?”
    “Yes, it is,” Caresse said as she placed the lantern on the dresser and folded her arms around her body. “I may have to go get me one the next time I’m in the mall.”
    “I guess Roland or Janet didn’t tell you?”
    “Tell me what?”
    “That’s my jersey. I lent it to Roland last year. I haven’t seen it since. And tonight, it’s being modeled by you.”
    Caresse blushed. “You aren’t going to demand it back, are you?
    “If I did, would you give it to me?”
    “Not until I have my clothes back on.”
    He shook his head and began taking off his shirt. “Fine. It looks better on you, anyway. Which bunk do you want?”
    She tried to turn her head to look at the beds on the other side of the room, but the sight of his muscular chest captivated her. She couldn’t utter a word as she studied the lines of his body and his six-pack, which seemed more like an eight-pack. Is that possible , she thought as she watched him removed his shoes, then slowly undo his belt.
    She quickly inhaled when she saw his hand grip his zipper. He wasn’t really going to undress in front of her, was he? Startled, she glanced at his face. That’s when she noticed him smiling at her.
    “Which bed, Caresse? Or are you sleeping with me?”
    “I-I’ll take the top bunk.” She grabbed a hold of the sturdy ladder and climbed.
    As she lifted her leg over the top rail, she heard Graham mumble “Damn,” under his breath. She knew his eyes were on her, so she quickly lifted herself over, and laid down. She stared at the ceiling and wondered what she was thinking to get on the top bunk with him still in the room. He had to have gotten quite a view of her panties, maybe more. She should have waited until he had gone to the restroom.
    “Caresse?”
    “Yes?” she whispered.
    “Listen, I like you, and I was hoping we could use this time to get to know each other better. I get it. You