~ Zoie's POV ~
Heavy. My eyes are so heavy...
Zoie woke up with a pounding on her head. Slowly, she pried her eyes open to see the sunlight from her window.
I'm... in my room?
She looked down to see her bed. Her whole body was sore, there were bruises on her legs and knees and she didn't know how she got them. Zoie pushed the duvet cover from her body and noted the bruises on her thighs. And then she realized...
Why am I not wearing anything?
She was completely naked. Her dress and shoes from the night before were scattered on the ground. And as if that wasn't enough, Zoie felt something behind her. She turned around slowly and she saw Landon's face. He also wasn't wearing his shirt, and Zoie didn't dare to look down there as his legs were covered by the duvet.
Oh, no. Did something happen?
Landon started stirring in his sleep and Zoie turned back around instantly. She lay her head down on the pillow with her back to him. Then she pulled the duvet to cover up her body.
What the hell happened last night...?
Zoie closed her eyes and tried her best to remember. Everything was a big blur. After that extra glass of gin and tonic, she couldn't remember much. She remembered the phone call with Asher and she didn't want to feel anything after that. And so she drank and drank and danced and danced.
"Woooo! Go Zoe!" she remembered Jo and Nic clapping and cheering as she danced.
At first, she was dancing with Nic and Jo. And then maybe she danced with Giulio too. Then there were all these random faces. There was this guy with the really obnoxious cologne that she danced with. There was another guy dressed as Tom Cruise from Top Gun. And at one point, she even danced with some guy dressed as Santa Claus.
It didn't matter to Zoie. She just wanted to forget that she was alive for a minute. So, she got her wish. She remembered she was dancing with one of these guys, she couldn't remember which one, when suddenly she felt a pair of hands landing on her hips. There were so many people around and bodies were pressed up against each other. The hands were holding onto her as she was moving her hips from side to side. And then, she felt something pressing against her lower back. Some guy's groin, it felt like. Normally, she'd be grossed out by some stranger pressing himself on her, but this time, she didn't care. She just kept dancing, and the guy was moving his body with hers. His hands started moving down her skirt, sensually rubbing against her thighs. And just as she was about to turn around to see him, she felt two strong arms pulling her to the side.
"There you are!" Landon said. "I've been looking everywhere for you,"
Zoie let out a laugh.
"Some bodyguard you are," she joked, but Landon wasn't amused. He cocked his head to the side and studied her face.
"Okay, I think you've had enough," he said finally, seeing that she couldn't even stand up straight. "Let's get you home,"
"But I don't wanna go home! I wanna-"
Zoie couldn't remember what happened then, but the next thing she knew, she was in a car with Landon driving. She remembered the seatbelt feeling so suffocating, so she took it off and the alarm started beeping.
"Zee, put it back on," he warned.
"No," she stuck her out teasingly.
"Zoie, I'm not kidding,"
"Zoie?" she laughed. He never called her that, unless he was being serious. "Geez, you're such a bossy bodyguard,"
"Zoie Van Zandt, put that seat belt back on or I'll..."
"You'll what?"
Landon turned his head to her and said, "I'll make you sorry,"
For some reason, that piqued her interest. He sounded different just now. He sounded... kinda like Ash.
"Do it," she said, turning her body to him challengingly.
* SKID! *
The car pulled to a complete stop and if it wasn't for Landon's hand in front of her chest, Zoie would've hit the dashboard. Swiftly, he then pulled the seat belt back down and secured it over her body.
Landon gave her one more warning look before he started driving again. Zoie had to admit, she was a little scared. She was quiet for the rest of the ride, she didn't dare take the seat belt off again.
Once in a while, Zoie would throw her glance over to him. Landon was driving with his eyes focused on the road. Zoie was noting his features, and from this angle, he really did look like Ash. Even though Landon was more blonde and Ash was brunette, Landon had blue eyes and Ash had hazel eyes, they had the same high cheekbones and sharp jaws. Especially from this angle, he looked so much like his brother.
"What are you doing?" Landon asked.
Zoie's hand seemed to have a mind of its own. She was slowly reaching for his knee. She didn't really know what she was doing at this point. Her body was just moving.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she asked back.
Her hand was slowly trailing from his knee and up his thigh, to his groin area. Landon's body stiffened at her touch, she could feel it. He was trying to keep it together, but he was getting all worked up. Zoie was brushing her hand right on his groin and she felt his pants tightening. A strong bulge was forming. Zoie then gripped him harder, slowly massaging the bulge. He was getting harder and harder, and Zoie noticed it. And then suddenly-
* SKID!!! *
The car pulled to a stop again. They had arrived at the apartment parking lot. Landon turned his face to her and Zoie didn't stop or take her hand away. She just stared back at him defiantly.
"Zoie," he warned.
"Landon," she teased.
"What are you doing?"
Zoie didn't know what she was doing, but she took off her seat belt, then he took off his. Slowly, she then climbed on top of him, straddling him. Landon didn't dare move an inch. Their faces were so close to each other. Zoie felt the bulge underneath her and it was hard and strong. She started grinding herself on him as she whispered, "I... want... you..."
The next thing she knew, he grabbed the back of her hair and crashed his lips onto hers. He kissed her hard and wantonly, like he had been hungry to do it for years. His other hand was roaming her body, starting from her hips to her stomach and to her chest. She let out a moan as he started palming and massaging her breast.
And from here, things started coming to her in pieces. She remembered putting her hands around his neck as they kissed. She remembered his lips on her neck as he sucked on her sweet spot. She remembered him taking her up to the apartment. They kissed in the elevator, in the hallway, and at the front door. And finally, they arrived in her room.
She lay down on the bed and he climbed on top of her. She took off his shirt and he took off her dress. Landon peeled the dress slowly from her body and he stopped for a moment to admire her naked skin.
Landon's eyes met hers and he was searching for her consent. Zoie swallowed hard, but she didn't want to think or feel anything, so she just grabbed his face and crashed her lips onto his.
"Zee..." he groaned. His hands were back on her body again. They were on her hips and her hands were on his chest. Slowly, her hands began making their way south. She slipped her hand under his pants and stroked his rock-hard bulge. He was ready, they both knew it. Zoie unbuttoned his pants and Landon's manhood sprang free.
What am I doing?
Landon's mouth went back to kissing her neck as he started grinding himself on her. Zoie was motionless at this point, somewhat shocked and somewhat mortified. He took off her panties and they slid effortlessly down her legs. There was nothing protecting her from his manhood now. She could feel his skin pressing up on her. He was guiding his length toward her core and Zoie closed her eyes instinctively. She was waiting for that moment to happen. Anticipating it anxiously. But after a while of waiting, she still didn't feel anything.
"Wait," he said.
Zoie opened her eyes to see his eyes already looking at her. He looked uncertain. Maybe even worried.
"What?" she asked.
"Are you sure you wanna do this?"
No. I'm not sure.
Zoie didn't know anything anymore. She just wanted to feel nothing. So even though her heart was saying no, she looked him in the eye and said, "Just do it!"
Landon stared at her for a moment and after a beat of silence, he leaned back down and claimed her lips with a kiss. His mouth traveled to her jaw and neck and his hands were on her hips, positioning himself in between her legs. Zoie closed her eyes again as she felt the tip of his length rubbing against her entrance. She tipped her head back and anticipated the feeling to come. But again, nothing came.
Zoie opened her eyes and saw Landon staring right at her. He let out a small smile and shook his head, whispering, "Zee, I can't do it,"
"What?" she whispered back.
"Not because I don't want to, but because I love you," he said, pausing for a beat before adding, "And I don't want you to hate me in the morning,"
"What are you talking about?"
He let out another smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm gonna wait until I have your love before I make love to you,"
That was sweet. That was really sweet. But at this time, it only made Zoie mad. She was already prepared for this. She wanted to be numb, not to feel tender because of what he said.
"If you're not gonna do anything then leave!" she said angrily, pushing him back.
"No," he said firmly, standing his ground.
"Leave me alone!" she tried pushing him away again, but he wouldn't budge.
"No," he said. "I'm not leaving you,"
Zoie tried fighting him for a while. She kept pushing and pushing, but he was too strong. Instead, he pulled her into a hug and Zoie didn't have the energy to fight anymore. Her eyes scrunched closed as tears began pooling in her eyes.
"I'll never leave you," was the last thing she remembered him saying. "Never,"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Zoie lay back with her eyes staring at the ceiling. That was it. She remembered it all now. Everything that happened last night. Or rather, what didn't happen.
"Hey? You're up?" Landon said as he slowly propped himself up. His eyes looked tired and his hair was messy.
"Hey..." she said, letting out a small smile.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay... just my head hurts,"
"Stay here, I'll get you some water," he said as he rolled off the bed.
He must be exhausted too, but he's always putting me ahead of his needs.
"Landon," Zoie said, stopping him in his tracks.
Landon turned around and waited for her to continue.
"Thank you," she said.
"What for?" he narrowed his eyes.
"For not doing it,"
Zoie bit her lip as she looked up at him, grateful that he didn't let her slip up like that last night. Landon let out a smile as he went back to her. He leaned down and pressed his forehead on top of hers.
"I meant what I said last night," he said. "I'm gonna make you fall in love with me,"
And with that, he gave her a kiss on her forehead, and he turned around and walked away.
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~ Asher's POV ~
Asher sat in front of the laptop on his desk. He was in a newly built office in a newly built garage. On his laptop screen, he was looking at a map. It was the map of Zoie's apartment and there was a red dot there indicating that she was home. Asher stared at the screen intently, tapping on the enter button, and a new window popped up. It was a video feed from the apartment's security footage. In that black and white footage, he saw Zoie and Landon kissing as they made their way to the elevator, down the hall, and to her apartment door.
"Yo, you've been out here all night?"
Mikey's voice suddenly pulled him out of his thoughts. Mikey was standing by the office door, his head leaning against the doorway. Asher quickly closed the window and the security footage went away.
"Sooner or later you're gonna have to get off the computer," he said as he grabbed his toolbox from a nearby table. "Come on, man. We got work to do,"
Mikey nudged his head to a red Camaro sitting in the garage behind him. That car was their latest project. The next "it" car for the next big race.
Letting out a sigh, Asher turned off the laptop and stood up, following Mikey out the door.
"Don't worry, she'll still be there," Mikey said as he patted Ash's shoulder. And as they walked away, Asher couldn't help but look back at the screen one more time.
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Compensate
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~ Zoie's POV ~
- - - - - One Week Later - - - - -
Zoie and Landon were walking down the hallway of their apartment. Landon was carrying most of their stuff, including their two rolly suitcases. Meanwhile, Zoie was texting on her phone while carrying a bag of leftover food from her mom. They had just gotten back from the airport, but there was no time to rest because her friends were already planning a party. Her birthday party, to be exact.
"...Anyway, Jo and Nic are saying they wanna do an 80's retro night at the roller rink or something like that," she said, relaying the messages on their group chat to Landon.
"Sure. That sounds fun,"
"Uh-huh, we just gotta get some shoes..." Zoie was still typing on her phone when they arrived at the door. In front of her apartment door, there was a big FedEx box waiting for her. She looked at Landon and narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you've already ordered the shoes?"
Landon laughed and shook his head. "You just told me about roller skating a minute ago, how would I have known?"
"Then what's this?"
"I don't know," he shrugged. "Did you order something from Amazon?"
"Not that I remember..."
Landon opened the door and brought all their stuff inside. Meanwhile, Zoie stopped at the front door, studying the big box. The box was addressed to her, but weirdly enough, it didn't have the sender's name. Curious, Zoie peeled the tape and opened the box. Her eyes jolted wide in shock once she saw what was inside.
Mr. Unicorn...!
It was a unicorn doll that she had years and years ago. It was her favorite toy ever until Asher borrowed it from her and Mr. Unicorn ended up going to heaven.
But how is this here...?
"Zee?" Landon's voice was heard from inside the house. "What's in the box?"
"N-nothing!" she said quickly, closing the box back.
It didn't sound like the gift was from Landon. It sounded more plausible that Asher may have sent this for her. It had to be him. Who else would it be from?
How dare he?! Does he think this is some kind of a game?!
"I'm gonna take out some trash!" Zoie yelled into the house, taking the box with her as she stomped away angrily.
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -