No Strings Attached | ✓ 18+

four .ೃ࿐

"Hey, love."

I jumped abruptly and spun around at the sound of his voice, books still in my hand. 

It was sunny outside today, but the store had been near empty all day. I was pretty sure there was a festival or an event of sorts downtown and that's where everyone is. So, today I took the time to tidy and attempt to reorganize the bookshelves and the way the novels were placed. I also charged all the crystals last night and placed them all back into the casing.

 "Oh, hello, again," I glanced up at him and smiled politely. "Are you looking for something specific today, or just browsing?"

"Just came in to visit," he replied, with a smile. 

I frowned. Visiting? Who?

"You, of course. It seems quite lonely in here," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck in some form of embarssement.

I bit my lip. "Sorry, I don't usually get 'visitors' in here."

He laughed, and it was comforting, like something that reminds you of an old memory which makes you warm inside. His whole appearance reminded me of something comforting, I'd bet that most of his friends feel at home near him. I wouldn't blame them. He sort of looked like a warm hug. 

"Will you show me around, love?" He asked, tilting his head slightly and giving me a half smile. 

It was my turn to laugh. "There isn't much to see." 

"Well, then it'll be a short tour." He replied mischeviously.

I shook my head, fighting off my smile at his playfully persistent behavior, turning to place the books back on the shelf in that particular way that only I'm able to accomplish. When I turn away from him, I expected him to follow. He doesn't. 

"Well?" I raised a brow at him. "Are you coming?"

"What, you aren't going to start at the very front door? Give me the tour from the very beginning?" He crossed his arms. "It's like starting a show in the middle. You won't even know how you got to where you are." 

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but can we go way back, like to the part where I learn your name?"

He grinned, holding out his hand to shake. "I'm Clay. Clay Ambrose."

[ ♡ ]

When I pulled into the parking lot of Gina and I's home, I was surprised to see her car already there. 

After Clay had left and I'd locked up the shop, I sent her a few texts, mostly about dinner plans this evening and asking how long she'd be working for tonight. She didn't answer me, so I had decided to head home anyways and if needed we'd run to the store to get some things for supper that we didn't have. 

I walked up the drive and up the stairs to the house. I opened the door and closed it gently, in case Gina had fallen asleep on the couch or something. 

I locked the door behind me and slipped off my shoes. 

"Gina?" I called, stepping into the kitchen. 

She wasn't in the kitchen nor was she in the living room. 

I heard soft noises, almost sounding like moans coming from the bedroom, so I crept quietly and knocked on the door before pushing inside.

My eyebrows pulled into a frown. "Gina?"

Gina sat there, phone pressed against her ear staring wide eyed at me, like she'd been caught doing something bad. She was in a lacy black bra that complemented her skin tone and her hair was messy. 

"Oh! Um, hey Adalyn." She gave me a smile, almost sheepish. 

"Hey," I replied, leaning against the doorframe. "What're you doing?"

She hung up the phone and wiped her face with her hand. "I had a nap, when I came home. I just woke up, urgent work call." 

Something about the way she was looking at me was off, as if I wasn't putting two and two together. I didn't understand what I was missing. 

I nodded and then laughed. "It smells like sex in here." 

She let out a loud laugh, something unlike her. "Yeah, I sort of masturbated before I fell asleep." 

Shit. Well that was embarrassing. What was I even doing? Accusing her...for what? 

"Oh! Okay." I said awkwardly. 

I made my way to the bed and sat beside her, I could have sworn she moved a little bit away from me. We sat there for a few awkward moments, I asked her about work and she gave me details on the meetings she attended today. 

A couple of minutes past and I stood up; "I'll call and order some pizza, yeah?"

Gina smiled at me warmly. "I'd like that. I'll...clean up."

[ ♡ ]

Gina fell asleep on the couch at around ten. 

The television was on but I wasn't paying attention. I didn't even remember what we were watching anymore. I'd eaten over half the pizza, mostly in a stressful manor, unable to concentrate on anything. 

Should I be worrying about my relationship? Was I doing something wrong? I'd never had thoughts like this before. Gina and I had been together for such a long time, I didn't want to start having second thoughts now. 

But then why did I have such a hard time believing her having a work call in bed? Was I just playing stupid? Sure, we'd had phone sex before, but the issue was I wasn't the one she could have been having phone sex with. 

I was pretty sure I was doing enough in the relationship. I mean, just the other day we'd fucked and it was fantastic. Maybe I'd done something wrong since then? Was she even thinking of me while it happened?

Mother fucker. 

My phone pinged on the coffee table and I jumped. It was an unknown number, but I knew who it was immediately. 

Unknown : Hey, love

I couldn't help but smile just a little. It was nice to have a distraction from my thoughts. 

Adalyn : Hey. I actually forgot I gave you my number. What's up?

Clay : Nothing, actually. I just finished having wings downtown at the bar with some friends, and I drove by the shop on my way home. Thought of you.

It was nice to be recognized in that way. Especially when it came to the shop, it was my favorite place to be. It seemed that Clay knew that, though. Most likely from the lengthy tour I'd given him today. 

Clay : How was your evening?

I hesitated in typing a response. How was my evening? Hell, like I knew. It was good, but was it really?

Adalyn : It was alright. I had pizza, with my girlfriend. She's asleep on the couch right now. 

Clay : Girlfriend? I didn't know you were a lesbian.

I shook my head, frowning slightly.

Adalyn : Lesbian? No, I'm bisexual. Just because I have a girlfriend it doesn't mean I'm instantly a lesbian. I also could have been pansexual. You shouldn't assume, Clay. 

I bite my lip. Shit. Was I too harsh?

Adalyn : Sorry. I get really pissed off when people stereotype and assume things about me the minute I say I have a girlfriend. 

I couldn't help but grin at his response. 

Clay : That's okay love. Clearly I have a lot to learn. Pronouns, can we start with them? Mine are he/him/his. What're yours?