grin before knocking them back.
thirteen
Lucie
As I slowly drift into consciousness, the first thing I notice is the ferocious pounding in my head. It’s like someone is savagely jackhammering the inside of my skull. I wince and reach up, raking a hand over my face. As I move, a wave of nausea makes my stomach roll. My mouth is so dry, my tongue feels like sandpaper. And … what the hell have I been eating? Or is that the flavour of morning-after vodka regret? It tastes like a sewer. I feel like death warmed up. Positively awful.
Rhythmic, heavy breathing from my right draws my attention, and I turn my head, confronted by Theo’s gorgeous face. He’s lying on his front, arms bent and tucked under his head, face all peaceful and childlike. He looks adorable while he sleeps.
“Aww, cute.” I get the weird urge to reach out and jokingly boop the tip of his nose with my finger. I smile to myself and let my eyes rake over his features, drinking him in.
Wait … what the …
I gasp as I realise this isn’t right.
Theo is in my room … in my bed?
I sit up quickly, clutching the thin sheets in my fists. I move so fast, another wave of nausea squeezes my stomach. I fight the urge to vomit. It’s then that I catch sight of my bare breasts.
Oh God, am I …
Closing my eyes, I count to five and hope I’m still dreaming this. But when I open them and carefully lift the sheets to peek underneath, I know I’m not dreaming.
I’m naked. Butt naked, apart from the fact that I’m still wearing the knee-high red plastic Wonder Woman boots from last night.
Embarrassed heat floods my face, and I glance back over at Theo. He’s still sleeping peacefully. Around his neck, a flash of gold material catches my attention. I lean in closer for a better look and realise it’s my Wonder Woman elasticated crown; it sits around his neck like a gaudy necklace. There’s more gold at his wrists; he’s wearing the gold bracelet cuffs from my costume too.
What is happening?
I gulp, and my eyes trace across his naked back, noticing flawless skin encasing muscles; he’s broad, tanned, perfect. My eyes rake further down, following the line of his spine right down to where the sheets bunch at the small of his back.
I have to know. Is he naked too? I carefully lift the sheets—and there’s his butt.
My eyes widen. It’s a damn cute butt, all firm and tight. You could bounce a penny off the thing; it’s so toned. He must squat.
Wait, this is no time for distractions, Lucie.
I’m beginning to freak out. I can feel the panic and mortification taking over. We’re both naked. That means …
But no, wouldn’t I remember if we had sex?
As I press my knees together, the skin at the inside of my thighs rubs and burns. Frowning, I lift the sheet again and look down. My face flushes when I see red chaffing on the insides of my thighs. Dear Lord. I know instantly what it’s from. Moving my leg to the side to get a better look, I spot something black and furry on my skin. My brain instantly fires the word spider at me. Squealing, I slap at it blindly. Two seconds later, after it sticks itself to my finger, I realise what it is … Theo’s Mario moustache.
My fraught squealing and thrashing wakes Theo.
He groans loudly and rolls to his back, throwing an arm over his eyes. “Ugh, I’m never drinking again!” he moans. “I feel like a microwaved turd.”
I gulp and decide to confront this head-on. We don’t have much choice in the matter. “Theo, did we … Theo!” I shake his shoulder to get his attention, as it appears he’s already drifted off again.
He licks his lips and finally moves his arm, turning his head to face me with a sullen grunt. He squints and blinks a couple of times, as if he has no idea who I am, and then a smile of recognition tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Hey.” He sits up awkwardly, holding his head, letting out a long, pain-filled groan. “Am I naked?” He lifts the sheet, and I get an eyeful of sculpted chest, and—oh my God, he has a semi. An impressive semi too.
I hate the flush of excitement that pulses through me.
I nod and wince. “I’m naked too. Apart from my boots.”
He chuckles and rubs his eyes with