Chapter 14

Billie lingered at the bottom of the staircase, gaze flicking to me like she was waiting for me to change my mind.

I didn't.

I followed her up the stairs, the space between us humming with everything we weren't saying.At the top of the landing, she hesitated, looking back at me through her lashes. For a second, I thought she might actually tell me to leave.

But she didn't.

Instead, she just pointed to a door down the hall."that one" she said, voice rough around the edges.

"Thanks" I whispered.

She nodded, lingering for half a heartbeat longer before disappearing into her room without another word.

I made my way to the guest room, not understanding why I'm here or what the benifit is for this. But I still stayed. I didn't want to leave. The door clicked shut, the giant echo of it settling into the silence like a promise. But then, barely a second passed before the door swung open again, Billie stood there, her chest rising and falling, her eyes burning into me.She didn't say anything. She just reached for me.

Her fingers curled around my wrist, tugging me gently - but firmly- out of the guest room and down the hall, back toward her bedroom. My heart hammered so loud I was sure she could hear it, but I didn't fight her. I sighed, breath caught somewhere in my throat.

Her room smelled like her, Vanilla and something faintly smoky. It was slightly messy - clothes piled on a chair, an open notebook sprawled on her desk, lyrics scribbled in the margins like thoughts she couldn't keep in her head. The bed was made, pillows placed gently along one bed.

Billie shut the door behind us; her hand lingering on the knob for a second too long before she turned to face me.

"I didn't want you to stay in the guest room" she admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

My pulse roared in my ears. "Where did you want me to stay"

Her gaze dropped to my mouth, and the answer was obvious.I stepped closer; the space between us collapsing, and her breath caught, she didn't back away. She didn't stop me, she just stood there, letting me incase her gravity like I belonged there.

"Billie" I breathed, testing her name on my tongue like a match ready to spark.

She kissed me.

It wasn't like outside - all heat and frustration and pent up tension. This kiss was slower, deeper, like she was unraveling right there in my hands. Her fingers slid into my hair, nails grazing my scalp, a shiver ran down my spine. I pressed closer, feeling the way her breath hitched, the way she pulled me tighter, like letting go wasn't an option.

We moved like magnets, like neither of us had a choice. She walked us back until my knees hit the bed, I sat, dragging her down with me. The sheets bunched beneath us as we tangled together, lips colliding in a feverish rush, hands exploring the spaces we'd been aching to touch. Billie's fingertips traced the curve of my jaw, then my neck, like she was memorising me - like she needed to know I was real. My skin burned everywhere she touched, every nerve lit up like she'd set me on fire. I pressed my forehead to hers, breathless, and her eyes, dark and searching, held me captive.

I kissed across her jawline, exploring my way down to her neck, pecking all along her neck to her collarbones, she lets out a small moan and it sets me on fire.I find myself tracing my thumb over her lips as I kissed along her collarbone, she moved her face to the side to give me more access. I moved back up, my mouth finding hers again, this time it was rough and aggressive, she grabbed at my hair and my arms, pulling me onto her, making me straddle on top of her. Her hands explored all of my body, tracing down my back to my ass. I let out a slight groan, earning another moan back from her. She flipped us back over so I was now laying beneath her, she pulled away, leaving me feeling bare and vulnerable. She stared at me, a small smirk forming across her lips.

" I don't want to rush this" she said, her eyes sparkling under the dim light. I threw her a bright smile.

"Neither do I" I reply, moving a piece of her hair behind her ear, she sat up and laid down next to me, turning to face me.

"I never wanted to rush you, I didn't want to rush anything between us Em, that's why I didn't reply, that's why I was so silent, I didn't want you to feel pressured by this, by me, I don't want you to think I'm just using you." She admitted, I let out a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding

"I don't want to rush anything either Bills, but I was worried, I was worried I did something wrong, or that you regretted the kiss". I shyly said, hiding my face in my palms out of embarrassment.

"No, no, no at all" she said, gently grabbing my hands away from my face.

"That kiss was... everything, it answered all my unanswered questions, but you. You scare me Emmy." She laughs before talking again

"You're just so beautiful and you're so easy to talk to, I didn't want to fuck anything up, even if we decided to stay friends, I didn't want to push you any further. God, I wish I just told you that." I smiled at her grabbing her hands and holding them in mine.

"I get it, I really do, because fuck Billie, you are beautiful and hot, and you just seem to do everything right. You didn't tell me then but you've told me now, and I understand" I smiled, cupping her face into my hands, she leaned into them and closed her eyes.

"Thank fuck. I don't know what any of this means but please stay, stay here with me tonight" she pleaded, I nodded my head.

We made our way under the covers, not even bothering to get changed or remove our makeup. Our legs intertwined under the sheets. I found myself placing my head on her shoulder. This is where I want to be right now.